Dubai Trade hosts International Port Community Systems Association’s annual members meeting
Digital collaboration, international standards, AI and sustainability will all be on the agenda when members of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) gather for their annual two-day meeting, which is taking place in Dubai for the first time.
Hosted by IPCSA member Dubai Trade, the 29-30 October meeting will take place at the DP World Pavilion in Expo City Dubai and be attended by Port Community System and Single Window operators from around the world.
Javier Gallardo, Chairman of IPCSA and CEO of Portic, Barcelona, said: “IPCSA is a truly global association, and it is essential for us to be present in key locations where international trade is most active. At present, Dubai and the Middle East are among the fastest-growing regions in terms of trade and logistics, playing a central role in global connectivity and innovation.”
The overarching theme of the meeting will be “Digital Collaboration in Future Trade: The Power of Communities” and the event has been designed to have a distinctly global and international character, said Gallardo. “We aim to address topics of shared interest across all regions. Environmental sustainability will be a key theme, as it is a collective responsibility for all of us. Other major topics will include global standardisation initiatives such as Key Trade Data, the use of AI, and the development of digital trade corridors – all of which are global in nature and relevant to every IPCSA member.”
Dubai Trade will be represented at the meeting by several speakers: Mohamed AbuHamra, Chief Operating Officer – Digital Technology, DP World GCC, who will deliver the welcome address; Mohammed Rashed Alshamsi, Vice President – Commercial & Business Growth, DP World Digital GCC; and Said Said, Director – Digital Solutions & Products, DP World GCC, who will share insights on Dubai Trade’s latest initiatives to streamline trade.
“Dubai is where cultures meet and business thrives,” said Mohamed AbuHamra, Chief Operating Officer – Digital Technology, DP World GCC. “The IPCSA annual gathering is a great platform to strengthen collaboration and build new partnerships. We are committed to advancing digital connectivity that makes global trade faster, smarter and more transparent, reinforcing Dubai’s position as global hub for innovation and commerce.”
In addition, Dubai Trade will organise a port tour to highlight Jebel Ali Port’s world-class infrastructure and advanced logistics technologies and host a networking dinner to further strengthen connections among IPCSA members.
Nico De Cauwer, Secretary General of IPCSA, said: “The number of IPCSA members has grown strongly in the West-Asian region over the past five years; holding our annual members’ meeting in Dubai is an opportunity to highlight that growth, while supporting new members in the region, giving them the opportunity to meet with members from other regions and share experiences and best practice.”
The topics on the agenda all relate to certain aspects of digitalisation, said De Cauwer, with an emphasis on implementation of digital services where port environments and ecosystems can benefit from global initiatives such as the IMO Compendium harmonisation. Members will also learn about adopting ICC DSI’s Key Trade Documents and Data Elements (KTDDE) and about TIC4.0 (Terminal Industry Committee), which can create benefits in terminal-to-port data exchange.
De Cauwer said highlights will include a presentation by Dubai Trade, which will outline how it created a unified digital ecosystem with its platform; presentations by Djibouti Port Community System and Port of Rotterdam, giving overviews of their digital services and initiatives, within the theme of collaboration and data exchanges within port communities; and a keynote address and panel discussion on AI.
“We will also report on IPCSA’s ongoing activities, including our groundbreaking Foresight initiative, which we embarked on last year and will conclude in 2026; and our Sustainability Working Group will present a year-end report, to be followed by a panel session on the subject of sustainability.”
The annual meeting is one of the most important events on the IPCSA calendar, as it brings members together and forms the basis for the association’s work going forward, he added. “By creating an interesting programme of several relevant topics, we hope to provide sufficient insights and highlight possible new opportunities, so members can return home with fresh ideas and inspiration relevant to the implementation of their digital services.”
De Cauwer expressed gratitude to Dubai Trade for hosting this year’s event and providing hospitality. “I’m sure it will be a wonderful annual members’ meeting, and the unique setting of the DP World Pavilion will certainly contribute to this.”
Javier Gallardo added: “We are deeply grateful to Dubai Trade for hosting this year’s meeting. Their commitment to innovation, efficiency and digitalisation in trade and logistics makes them an ideal partner for IPCSA. The venue will provide an excellent opportunity for our members to experience first-hand one of the most advanced trade ecosystems in the world. We look forward to fruitful discussions, knowledge exchange and learning from Dubai Trade’s outstanding initiatives in smart trade facilitation.
“The IPCSA members’ meetings are essential for us, as they enable direct engagement with our members and provide valuable insights into their priorities and challenges. These meetings foster participation and interaction, which are at the heart of IPCSA’s mission.”
Dubai Trade has introduced several initiatives to make trade and logistics faster and more efficient. This includes Trade+, which has cut cargo release times by up to 90% while reducing costs and paperwork; CargoWaves, an AI-powered platform that streamlines inland cargo transport; and the Dubai Trade Single Window, which brings together over 20 key services and authorities on one digital platform.
Mohamed AbuHamra said: “It is a privilege to be part of IPCSA, which brings together leading minds shaping the future of trade. This year’s focus on sustainability and AI reflects two of the biggest priorities of our industry. We are integrating these principles into our solutions to drive more efficient, sustainable and data-driven trade ecosystems.”