Successful digitization projects are usually characterized by implementing standardized, harmonized processes and using state-of-the-art technology, which quickly replace former paper-based processes to create intelligent platforms that are significantly more efficient and sustainable. With the "eDeclaration" portal for reporting formalities in compliance with EU Directive 2010/65, DAKOSY has once again succeeded in such a project - working in close contact with its customers and the relevant authorities.

eDeclaration streamlines the whole reporting process for its users, who are made up of ship captains, carriers, brokers, liner agents and vessel declarants from more than 50 well-known companies. Instead of paper forms - an average of seven different ones - now a single electronic port registration does it all. This frees users from many duplications and the associated likelihood of errors, saves paper and protects the environment. The master data, such as the name of the captain, the ship and the port, needs to be input only once. "In addition, data can be pre-assigned. For instance, by stating the ship's IMO number, the corresponding fields will automatically be filled in," confirms DAKOSY product manager Anne Ebeling. The system offers many more conveniences. For example, cruise ship captains can upload, update and encrypt passenger data via an Excel import on the web to transmit it to the responsible ship declarant or directly to the relevant National Single Window (NSW).

The port authorities are at the receiving end. Instead of the many forms they had previously received by fax, paper or courier, they now gather the data electronically from the NSW. The authorities in the ports of Hamburg, Kiel, and Lübeck use eDeclaration for this data collection. "The data arrives in compressed form. With one click, all the relevant details of a port registration appear on the screen and replace the time wasted searching through e-mails, faxes and printouts," explains Ebeling. That alone makes the platform a valuable tool for the authorities. For Michael Schmidt, harbour master and head of office of the Port of Kiel, the benefits of the software are even clearer: "With eDeclaration, we have software that can do much more than just receive NSW data. For example, we can confirm the reported berths directly to the carriers or designate a new berth in eDeclaration. Also, we can access the mobile application via smartphone. This is a huge advantage to us, since our on-call service also has access to the registrations outside normal office hours." In addition to berth management, there is a dangerous goods module, a statistics module and a convenient way to export data.

Dieter Spark, Managing Director of DAKOSY, is very pleased with the successful implementation of EU Directive 2010/65: "Although it started as a mandatory measure, many reporting parties and authorities from Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania now truly benefit from the added value of the platform through the digitization of port registration. eDeclaration originated from the legal requirement to electronically exchange data, but won the acceptance of all stakeholders as a prime example of a successful B2G project which demonstrates what can be achieved when businesses and the administration collaborate well. "