IPCSA

What IPCSA does

IPCSA International (International Port Community Systems Association) is a UK-registered Economic Interest Grouping (UK EIG Number GE000268), headquartered in Felixstowe, United Kingdom, with a correspondence office in Tarifa, Spain. Founded in 2011 as the European Port Community Systems Association (EPCSA) by six European PCS operators — SOGET (France), Portbase (Netherlands), MCP (UK), PORTIC (Spain), dbh (Germany), and DAKOSY (Germany) — the association was renamed IPCSA in September 2014 to reflect its international expansion. IPCSA is a membership-based international NGO with formal consultative status at UN ECOSOC and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and it serves nearly 50 member organizations spanning Port Community System operators, Single Window operators, Sea and Air Port Authorities, Cargo Community System operators, and international/regional organizations across all five UN regional commission areas (Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe & North America, Latin America & Caribbean, and West Asia).

IPCSA's core technology assets are its published frameworks and standards rather than a commercial product. The Network of Trusted Networks (NoTN) is a secure platform-to-platform data exchange solution built on two Track and Trace APIs (vessel status and container status), piloted across 70 ports, 10 airports, and multiple inland terminals. The PROTECT EDI standard (PROTECT Guide version 2.0) governs vessel reporting messages — IFTDGN (Dangerous Goods), BERMAN (Berth Management), WASDIS (Waste Disposal), and APERAK (Acknowledgements) — published through UN/EDIFACT and endorsed by IMO/FAL and UN/EDIFACT bodies TBG3/ITIGG. IPCSA also delivers the Foresight Programme (strategic workshops exploring scenarios to 2040), four-day Masterclasses on PCS and Maritime Single Window implementation, PCS development support services, and the IPCSA Sustainability Guidelines referencing ISO 14083 and the GLEC Framework.

IPCSA's revenue model is a single annual membership fee of €7,000 (plus VAT where applicable), with the membership year running January to December and prorated fees for mid-year joiners. No revenue figure is publicly disclosed. Growth is driven by regional representatives advocating membership benefits, participation in international conferences, and word-of-mouth within the port community, with the annual Members' Meeting rotating among member organizations (2024 in Tanger Med, 2025 in Dubai, 2026 in Marseille hosted by MGI). The leadership team consists of Chairman Javier Gallardo (also CEO of PORTIC), Vice-Chairman Steve Lamb (MCP plc), Secretary General Nico De Cauwer, and General Manager Inga Morton, following the passing of founding Secretary General Richard Morton in September 2022.

Name

IPCSA

Legal name

IPCSA International

Website

https://ipcsa.international

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IPCSA is a UK-registered international membership association that standardizes electronic data exchange and Port Community Systems for ports, airports, and customs authorities worldwide, serving nearly 50 members across all UN regional commission areas via an annual membership model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Trade Facilitation & Port Community Systems

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Port Community Systems (PCS) Platforms (TLAHAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Maritime EDI / API Connectivity & Messaging Networks (TLAHAOAE)

Keywords

• Port community systems
• Single window operators
• Trade facilitation standards
• Maritime EDI standards
• Port authority networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Felixstowe

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: IPCSA generates revenue exclusively through annual membership fees. The 2026 membership fee is €7,000 per year (plus VAT where applicable). The membership year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Applications are accepted at any time, and fees are prorated for new members joining mid-year. IPCSA does not charge members for attending meetings or conferences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IPCSA is a member-funded international association that provides the global port and trade facilitation community with shared standards (PROTECT EDI), a secure cross-border data exchange framework (NoTN), and a portfolio of association services including the Foresight Programme, Masterclasses on PCS and Single Window, PCS Development & Support, and Sustainability Guidelines. Membership is open to Port Community System operators, Single Window operators, Cargo Community System operators, and Sea/Air Port Authorities, and is priced at a flat annual fee of €7,000.

Product overview

IPCSA (International Port Community Systems Association) is a membership-based international association, not a product company. Its offerings consist of standards frameworks, guidelines, and professional services for Port Community Systems (PCS), Single Windows, and maritime/airport digital infrastructure. The core offerings include: the Network of Trusted Networks (NoTN) - a secure platform-to-platform data exchange for cross-border supply chain visibility; PROTECT - EDI message standards for vessel reporting (IFTDGN, BERMAN, WASDIS); Foresight Programme - strategic workshops exploring future scenarios to 2040; Masterclasses - four-day training on PCS implementation; and the Sustainability Working Group producing guidelines on decarbonization. These are complemented by published guidelines for small/medium ports, how-to development guides, and a sustainability guidelines document. IPCSA serves as a trusted third party and expert authority on electronic information exchange and digitalisation for the global port community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• The NoTN pilot covered 70 ports, 10 airports, and multiple inland terminals across 14 countries.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TIC4.0 (Terminal Industry Committee 4.0)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026IPCSA and TIC4.0 partnered to address the isolation between terminal operations and the broader port ecosystem. They jointly released a white paper introducing a practical 'interoperability blueprint' to bridge the digital divide between terminal operations and port systems. The partnership was unveiled during the TIC4.0 General Assembly in Valencia and aims to create standards for digital orchestration across the port ecosystem.
• ChainPortcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ChainPort initiated the 'Supply Chain Resilience (SCR) in Ports' project in 2023. IPCSA's Secretary General and Chairman participated in conversations with the involved organizations, and IPCSA officially joined as a partner. The project addresses supply chain resilience challenges in ports and involves collaboration on digital standards and best practices.
• IAPH (International Association of Ports and Harbors)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IAPH is one of the partner organizations in the Supply Chain Resilience in Ports project initiated in 2023. IPCSA officially joined this project as a partner alongside IAPH, ChainPort, DCSA, and TIC4.0. IAPH represents ports globally and contributes to the digital transformation agenda shared with IPCSA.
• DCSA (Digital Container Shipping Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023DCSA is one of the four organizations (alongside ChainPort, IAPH, and TIC4.0) that initiated the Supply Chain Resilience in Ports project in 2023. IPCSA officially joined as a partner. DCSA focuses on standardizing information exchange in the container shipping industry.
• UN/CEFACT (United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPCSA works closely with UN/CEFACT on standards development, particularly in the context of Single Window environments and electronic data exchange standards for ports. IPCSA references UN/CEFACT recommendations (Rec 33-37) in its Single Window frameworks.
• WCO (World Customs Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPCSA collaborates with the World Customs Organization on customs-related standards and Single Window environment development. IPCSA references WCO RAMMAP-SWIM and the WCO Single Window Compendium in its customs and Single Window guidance materials.
• IMO (International Maritime Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPCSA has formal consultative status at the IMO and collaborates on maritime Single Window, FAL Convention, and vessel reporting standards. IPCSA is a leading signatory to the IMO's Call to Action to accelerate digitalisation. PROTECT standards are recognized by IMO/FAL.
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPCSA works with ISO on standards development for port community systems and electronic data exchange. IPCSA references ISO 14083 in its Sustainability Guidelines.
• ITIGG (International Transport Messages Implementation Guidelines Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITIGG (Trade and Business Processes Group 3 for Transport, subgroup International Transport Message Implementation Guidelines Group) collaborates with PROTECT on EDI message standards. The PROTECT Guide is endorsed by ITIGG alongside UN/CEFACT TBG3.
• GS1coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPCSA's Standards and Technologies Area of Interest engages with GS1 among other standard organizations (WCO, SMDG, UN/IMO, DCSA) to ensure harmonized data standards across the port and logistics community.
• SMDG (Shipping Messages Development Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMDG is one of the international standards organizations with which IPCSA collaborates through its Standards and Technologies Area of Interest, working on harmonized messaging standards for the maritime industry.
• IPCSA Africa Region MemberscoreOthersIPCSA's Africa region includes members such as PORTNET (Morocco), ANP (Morocco), Tanger Med Port Authority (Morocco), Port of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), GUCE CI (Ivory Coast), Nigerian Ports Authority, Djibouti Port Community System, SEGUCE RDC (Republic of Congo), and SEGUCE (Togo). The Africa region is represented on the IPCSA Executive Committee.
• IPCSA Asia Pacific Region MemberscoreOthersIPCSA's Asia Pacific region includes members Kale Logistics (India), PORTALL (India), and Indian Ports Association (India). Vineet Malhotra (Kale Logistics) serves as the regional representative on the IPCSA Executive Committee.
• IPCSA Europe and North America Region MemberscoreOthersIPCSA's Europe & North America region is the largest, with members including: Port of Antwerp-Bruges/C-Point (Belgium), Hamburg Port Authority (Germany), Port of Algeciras Bay Authority (Spain), Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company, Israel Port Community System, ePuertoBilbao (Spain), CNS Ltd (UK), MCP Plc (UK), DAKOSY (Germany), PORTIC (Spain), Portbase (Netherlands), dbh (Germany), SOGET (France), PORTEL (Spain), MGI (France), ValenciaportPCS (Spain), Port of Ravenna (Italy), Port of Sines (Portugal), Harbourmaster Amsterdam (Netherlands), Harbourmaster Rotterdam (Netherlands), Ports of Genoa (Italy), Port of Constanta (Romania), HAROPA Port (France), Port of Zeebrugge (Belgium), PPL 33-35 (Ukraine), Port of Los Angeles (USA), Puertos del Estado (Spain), North Sea Port (Belgium/Netherlands), and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Canada). The six founding members are all in this region.
• IPCSA Latin America and Caribbean Region MemberscoreOthersIPCSA's Latin America & Caribbean region includes members: Barbados Port Inc. (Barbados), CEI.BA (Guadeloupe), Curaçao Ports Authority, and Port St Maarten (Caribbean). Sabine Bajazet (CEI.BA) and Keevan Gipson (Port St Maarten) serve as regional representatives on the IPCSA Executive Committee.
• IPCSA West Asia Region MemberscoreOthersIPCSA's West Asia region includes members: Maqta Gateway (Abu Dhabi, UAE), DT World (Dubai, UAE), Dubai Trade (Dubai, UAE), RAK Ports (Ras Al Khaimah, UAE), SOHAR Port and Freezone (Oman), Port of NEOM (Saudi Arabia), and Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. The West Asia regional representative position is currently vacant.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Customs Organization (WCO): Intergovernmental body setting global customs standards, including the WCO Single Window Compendium and SAFE Framework. Overlaps with IPCSA's customs and Single Window standards work; IPCSA explicitly references WCO frameworks (RAMMAP-SWIM) in its guidance materials.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA): Global trade association for airlines that also sets standards for air cargo (including eAWB and Cargo Community Systems). Relevant peer because IPCSA is actively expanding into Air PCS/CCS workstreams and engaging with IATA-aligned standards for airfreight digitalisation.
• International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH): Global port industry association representing ports worldwide on policy, sustainability, and digitalisation. Larger and broader than IPCSA — covers all port topics rather than specialising in PCS/Single Window electronic exchange — and is an active IPCSA partner on the 2023 Supply Chain Resilience in Ports project alongside DCSA, ChainPort, and TIC4.0.
• UN/CEFACT (United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business): UN body developing trade facilitation and e-business standards, including UN/EDIFACT recommendations Rec 33–37 referenced in IPCSA's Single Window frameworks. Functions as both a standards partner (TBG3 endorses the PROTECT Guide) and an incumbent in the broader trade-digitalisation standards space.

Emerging players

• Terminal Industry Committee 4.0 (TIC4.0): Industry body driving digitalisation of terminal operations, which launched a joint interoperability blueprint white paper with IPCSA in April 2026. Addresses an adjacent layer of port digital infrastructure (terminal-side) and is a direct co-development partner rather than competitor.
• ChainPort: Initiator of the Supply Chain Resilience in Ports (SCR) project alongside IAPH, DCSA, and TIC4.0. IPCSA formally joined as a partner in 2023. Comparable as a digital standards / collaboration platform targeting the same port digitalisation agenda, with a narrower supply-chain resilience focus.

Direct peers

• Shipping Messages Development Group (SMDG): Body developing and maintaining EDI messages for the maritime industry, particularly for terminal and port operations. Direct peer on maritime EDI standardisation; IPCSA collaborates with SMDG through its Standards and Technologies Area of Interest alongside WCO, GS1, and DCSA.
• Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA): Industry-driven standards body developing digital standards for container shipping, including vessel and container interfaces. Direct peer to IPCSA on maritime digital interoperability and a co-partner on the Supply Chain Resilience in Ports initiative; both organisations compete for authority over the canonical port-shipping digital interface.

Regional players

• American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA): Association for port authorities in the Western Hemisphere, focused on advocacy, security, and infrastructure. Functions as a regional counterpart to IPCSA for the Americas and competes for the same port authority attention and member dues in IPCSA's Latin America & Caribbean region.
• European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO): Representative body for European port authorities on EU policy, environmental regulation, and port governance. Operates in similar port-policy territory to IPCSA but at a regional (European) level and with broader non-digital scope, complementing IPCSA's global PCS specialism.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6fwGd1QJFOuI7iQIYtOAeQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epcsa---european-port-community-systems-association?trk=biz-companies-cym

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IPCSA