Romanian-German-Estonian Team to Win Port of Constanta Tender for Port Community System (PCS) Feasibility Study in Romania

Romanian IT company Critical Technologies SRL (consortium leader), German port consultancy HPC Hamburg Port Consulting, two Estonian maritime and shipping partners E.N. Shipping Services OÜ and Saaresalu OÜ have won an international tender for developing the specifications for design and implementation for the Port Community System for the Port of Constanta in Romania.

A PCS is a digital platform and information technology infrastructure that facilitates and optimizes the exchange of information and data among various stakeholders within a seaport or logistics ecosystem. The primary goal of a Port Community System is to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and coordination of activities related to the movement of goods through a port. The implementation of the project will help to upgrade the management and automation of ports and logistics processes, improve inter-agency coordination in Romania and significantly reduce administrative burden and bureaucracy. 

The Consultant’s team will conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of PCS within nine months and will provide the National Company “Maritime Ports Administration” S.A. Constanta with the recommendations and guidelines for the development and implementation of PCS in their ports.

Mihai Teodorescu, the Executive Director of the Port Administration states that “The subsequently developed Port Community Systems will have the role of a one-stop shop, a neutral and open electronic platform that allows the intelligent and secure exchange of information between public and private stakeholders. This system will connect the port administration, companies active in the port, port operators, institutions involved in port activity: customs, ANSVA, border police, etc.”.

Frank Busse, Partner and Vice President Europe at HPC, said: "Embracing a Port Community System (PCS) is not just a technological upgrade; it's a strategic imperative for modernizing maritime trade. By harmonizing vessel reporting and streamlining customs processes, a PCS paves the way for improved efficiency, effectiveness, and interagency coordination. As a port consultant with a successful track record in implementing PCS solutions across various ports, we are committed to helping our clients strike the right balance between security and economic interests. Together, we can expedite maritime trade not only within our region but also along the Middle Corridor and throughout the country." 

Dragos Basmaluta, CEO of Critical Technologies mentioned: “We are proud, as a Romanian company to be part of a team with such reputable expertise at international level. We are committed to deliver high quality services to help the Port of Constanta achieve its objectives in medium and long-term development of its business.” 

Eero Naaber from E. N. Shipping Services states that “We want to deliver the best European logistics information and communications technologies (ICT) practices and global logistics business experiences fitting to the Romanian national interests and practicability”. Organizational design expert Riina Palu from Saaresalu complements that “Finding a right host and proper support for such a key development project in the maritime sector is a clue to successful digital transformation”.