J M BAXI GROUP’s Portall has announced that the ONE Line shipping agency has come on-board via an API to integrate successfully with the Port Community System (PCS1x) for the real-time transfer of electronic agent delivery orders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought widespread disruption, and its impact has been devastating. However, looking on the bright side, the pandemic also exposed the existing flaws and deficiencies in the system and highlighted the need to transform the supply chain models. It has become a catalyst for change in the shipping industry. Owing to the current lockdowns, more and more companies are adopting new technology and upgrading their business model, to make their networks more agile and resilient during the pandemic.

We have reached a point where all the parties in a supply chain are now digital (at some level or another), but most of them are working in their own silo. Hence, integrating via an API has become critical to their business strategies, as it improves operational efficiency. An API bridges the gap between IT systems by exposing complex services via secure encryption and authentication mechanisms. APIs serve as a communication link, processing requests and streamlining functions. Creating APIs is quick and easy.

In a supply chain, time and costs are often the biggest constraints. Some of the benefits of an API include reduced costs and fewer errors. An API integration is automated and connects multiple systems in both directions. APIs enable powerful features, such as synchronising multiple web applications and the exchange of electronic documents. An API allows all parties to view in real time updates on tasks and to track consignments. This real-time connection makes an API so effective.

The onboarding of ONE Line was initiated with a kick-off session during which project activities and the development and testing procedures were discussed and agreed. This was followed by the sharing of relevant documentation. Once the development was complete, the eDO system underwent rigorous user acceptance testing (UAT), which included testing and validating end-to-end business flows and all the scenarios related to an agent delivery order. The UAT was undertaken jointly by ONE Line and Portall. After the functional, integration and system testing was passed successfully in the testing environment (which is based on the production or live environment), the system was ready for deployment. Process quality was maintained throughout the onboarding process.

The implementation was conducted in phases. It went live first for JNPT. Once ONE had successfully produced live eDOs for JNPT, the UAT began for Kolkata , Haldia, Mundra and Pipavav, in turn. So far, ONE has gone live with eDOs for JNPT, Mundra, Kolkata and Haldia ports. It is currently testing the system for other ports.

With the API, an eDO created and processed in ONE’s system is sent electronically to a central server and then rerouted, via APIs and emails, to the ports, CFS, ICDs, customs, terminal operators, transporters, an empty yard and all the other stakeholders involved. As an eDO is the final piece of documentation before the cargo is released and cannot be reversed under normal circumstances, it is of utmost importance. After the API integration, the number of data transfer errors became marginal and the data transfer was more secure. The API integration sends automatic email alerts to the sender, receiver and the notify parties. A PDF copy of the eDO is attached to the emails.

Note that ONE Line will eventually move to an eInvoice to eDO process via PCS1x. Thus, ONE will issue an eInvoice to the custom brokers via PCS1x. Once the eInvoice has been paid and the payment has been confirmed, ONE will issue an eDO via PCS1x.

Other shipping lines, like Omega Shipping Pvt Ltd, Evergreen Line and Samudera Shipping Line India Pvt Ltd, are now following the lead and are at various stages in developing APIs so that they can move completely to integrating with PCS1x to send eDOs.

There has been continual growth in the use of APIs with PCS1x, as this eliminates manual paperwork, makes it easier to collaborate and vastly simplifies sending and receiving information. The graph below shows the number of eDOs transmitted via PCS1x over the past 6 months for all major ports in India.

An API integration is a part of the technology needed for a flexible and secure platform. Portall was the frontrunner in working with IPA to implement API-based data exchange via PCS1x.

Benefits