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The European Union operates a funding programme called Marco Polo which assists new transport initiatives that take freight off the roads or those that create environments which make sea and rail freight more competitive with road transport.
Shortsea XML successfully applied for funding under the common learning element of Marco Polo and was awarded almost €1 million in 2005 to fund a two year project.
The origin of the project lies in a study conducted by Maritime Navigation and Information Services (MarNIS) which found that more than 25 documents were required to be filed by a vessel or its agent for each port visit. |
In addition, a plethora of other forms were required to cover customs clearance, loading and discharge, onboard supplies, waste disposal and other activities.It was estimated that administration and form filling accounts for 20-30% the total supply chain costs.
Further investigation revealed that this information, whilst broadly similar in content, is non-standard in format and is being exchanged by a range of differing technologies. It is this disparity and incompatibility that is creating an administrative burden for shortsea shipping as recipients struggle to re-work, re-enter and re-compile vast quantities of data for themselves and their customers. This is the issue that Shortsea XML has set out to address. |