|
Welcome from the project leader
Welcome to our December newsletter which brings you up-to-date
with project developments and progress.
 We
are now into the second and final year of the project and I'm
delighted to report that we are on schedule to complete our activities
on time. I have been greatly encouraged by the response, so far,
from the shortsea sector and have high hopes that Shortsea XML
will become the definitive standard for information exchange within
that community.
I understand that many larger organisations use bespoke or more
heavy-weight applications such as EDIFACT and I am certainly not
suggesting that Shortsea XML will make those systems redundant.
But what I'd like to see is Shortsea XML being used alongside
exisiting systems as an additional communication mechanism with
business partners that are unable to implement the more heavyweight
applications. Expanding your library to include Shortsea XML would,
in our view, add real value.
It takes a long time for any new standard to become widely adopted
and I'm realistic enough to know that Shortsea XML will have to
prove its worth first. But the initial response has been enouraging
and I'm convinced it can make a real and positive difference to
the industry. I'd like to thank all those who have given their
time and effort to this project and look forward to achieving
even more in 2008.
Mariann
Sundvor - Project Leader
About Shortsea
XML
The Shortsea XML project
is funded by the EU Marco Polo initiative and aims to streamline
the administrative processes inherent within a shortsea based
logistics chain. It will achieve this by creating a series of
standardised messages covering the core processes of scheduling,
booking, operations and invoicing.
The
project brings together over 30 leading shortsea ports, carriers,
transport buyers and IT professionals to establish a set of data
formats containing the required information in a logical and definitive
structure.
The
new message formats will be exchanged using cutting edge XML technology.
When implemented and adopted, the messages will reduce administrative
processes, lower costs, reduce errors, improve transparency, free
up staff and improve customer service. They will also assist with
the ever increasing requirement to report to shore-side authorities.
Generic booking message and manifest is ready!
The schema for the generic booking message and manifest is now
ready for use. The booking packet comprises:
- Business
requirements specification
- Zip file
with schemas and codelist
- Short introduction
to the content of the zip files
We are currently
reconfiguring our website to allow this information to be freely
downloaded. In the meantime, if you would like to receive the
booking or manifest packet contact Mariann
Sundvor
We hope that
our scheduling packet will be available for use early next year.
IT solutions providers to assist with implementation
We are delighted to announce that five IT solutions providers
are currently assisting the project to implement Shortsea XML.
GT Nexus, Logiq,
Logit Systems, Seagha
and Softship
have all agreed to send and receive Shortsea XML messages on behalf
of their clients or act as translation hubs. This will provide
an enormous boost to the project and make the implementation process
much easier for the clients of these IT companies. We are very
grateful to these five companies and encourage others to join
us.
Free technical workshop
A free technical workshop will be hosted by SPC Netherlands in
their Rotterdam offices on Wednesday 13 February 2008. The aim
of the workshop is to provide training to technical representatives
(programmers, IT managers etc) from those companies that are intending
to implement Shortsea XML. The session will include the use of
the standards, core component technology and rules for generating
XML schemas by using the naming and designing rules (NDR) from
UN/CEFACT. At the end of the workshop, participants should have
enough knowledge to understand the structure and content of Shortsea
XML and be able to implement it effectively within their own organisations.
For more information visit
www.shortseaxml.org/Events.aspx
and to reserve a place at the workshop contact Mariann Sundvor
at mariann@norstella.no
or +47 4162 6009
Advisory Board meets in Rotterdam- November 2007
The project retains an advisory board to provide an independent
industry perspective and also to set the overarching strategy
and direction. It comprises senior figures from ports, carriers,
shippers and IT providers.
 The board met for the third
time in Rotterdam in November to review the status of the project
and plan for the next 6 months. Board members were keen to see
the XML schemas and associated documentation completed as soon
as possible so that the implementation phase could begin in earnest.
They agreed the work plan which included the completion of the
invoicing work by January 2008; a new initiative to implement
training workshops for participants; and continued emphasis on
promotion.
The board was agreed that
the focus should now be directed at implementing Shortsea XML
within as many industry participants as possible and was particularly
pleased to note that more than fifty companies had expressed an
interest in taking part in this phase.
Simon Spoormaker
Advisory Board Chairman
Intermodal Conference 2007
As part of our ongoing promotional work, Shortsea XML was presented
to the delegates at the Intermodal 2007 conference which was held
in Amsterdam on 6th December. This conference is the main annual
event for the intermodal industry and attracts major players from
across Europe. The project was well received by the audience and,
in the discussion which followed, was championed by one delegate
as being "exactly what the European logistics industry needs"
Meeting of the European Shortsea Network and their Government
focal points
Using the local networks of the Shortsea Promotion Centres is
central to the effective promotion of the project. A comprehensive
update was given to the annual meeting of the European Shortsea
Network in Lisbon earlier this month when they met with their
government focal points. Around 20 member states operate Shortsea
Promotion Centres and each one has a dedicted government contact
responsible for the development of shortsea freight. This was
a valuable opportunity to encourage the promotion centres and
the individual governments to get behind Shortsea XML and provide
encouragement for its implementation. 
Delegates
were interested to learn that our standards will achieve UN/CEFACT
approval and that they are also recomended by the EU. A number
of promotion centres are now actively considering projects where
Shortsea XML might be used. Jean Trestour, head of shortsea shipping
at the European Commission, suggested that new Marco Polo projects
might be started when this current project concludes to ensure
continued implementation of Shortsea XML.
eBSN workshop
Shortsea XML was also presented to an ebusiness workshop in Oslo
organised by Innovation Norway. Innovation Norway promotes nationwide
industrial development and contributes towards innovation, internationalisation
and promotion.Titled Achievements and Challenges in Sector
Specific e-Business Policies, the workshop spanned two
days and covered issues such as challenges and trends, cross-border
initiatives and sector specific activities. Delegates comprised
leading players from across Europe and we were able to usefully
exchange experiences and learn from each other.
Merry Christmas!
And finally, the team at Shortsea XML wish you all a very happy
Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
|
