As part of the DCSA Just-in-Time Port Call Programme, DCSA and its member carriers have published port call data definitions, interface standards and messaging API (application programming interface) specifications for 100 event timestamps, which address the 6 main parts of a port call: 

  1. Berth arrival planning 
  2. Pilot boarding place arrival and service planning 
  3. Pilot boarding place and berth arrival execution 
  4. Start cargo operations and services 
  5. Services and port departure planning 
  6. Port departure execution 

The complete framework of Just-in-Time Port Call standards supports digital port call planning, increased operational efficiency and optimal resource utilisation.  

By moving container shipping towards a Just-in-Time port call process, DCSA port call standards will enable container ships to optimise their steaming speed, thereby lowering fuel consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To provide a global industry framework that preserves investments, DCSA has built port call data definitions based on existing standards from ITPCO and IMO.

Together, DCSA Just-in-Time port call standards and DCSA standards for operational vessel schedules (OVS), which enable automatic sharing of schedule information between vessel operators and their partners, create a more transparent vessel voyage ecosystem.

Just-in-Time Port Call Open API Specifications

As part of the Just-in-Time Port Call standard, DCSA has also published API definitions for the Just-in-Time Port Call on SwaggerHub, an open–source API development platform. Carriers can use these definitions to rapidly implement DCSA standard-compliant APIs. 
Documentation on the Just-in-Time Port Call, including versioning guidance, can be found on GitHub.

Just-in-Time Port Call Publication

The DCSA Standard for the Just-in-Time Port Call publication includes data definitions and interface standard documents.
Download the standard and updated documents below to get started immediately on establishing a digital, global, transparent, just-in-time port call ecosystem.