Port Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) at Myanmar Port Authority

This is the summary of the students group on Myanmar - Netherlands Water Challenge 2018 on 1 August.

As part of Water Challenge Program, we visited one of the key stakeholders in Myanmar port industry, Myanma Port Authority. We met with Dr. Myo Nyein Aye, Deputy General Manager and in charge of International Relations and HRD Department. He shared the knowledge about Port EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) as part of SMART port development. 

Port EDI system comprises six functions:

1. Port clearance procedures;
2. Berth allocation;
3. Invoice issuing;
4. Statistical data management;
5. Logistics monitoring;
6. Terminal operations.

Private and public port sectors will benefit from this system like:
- Direct transmission;
- Cut down the possibility of human error;
- Reduce the risks of lost data;
- Time and associated financial savings;
- Improve trading partnership.
Although the objectives are great for future of ports, there are still challenges we have to overcome together during this transition period from manual to automation, such as, willingness of users, unfamiliarity of users, limited ICT infrastructures in other government sectors, synchronization and harmonisation with other stakeholders.

We visited one of the leading private ports in Yangon, Myanmar Industrial Port to observe the implementation of Port EDI in operation. It's good to see MIP is trying to cooperate with new system and we believe they will catch up the rapid development of SMART ports like in other developed regional ports.
(Khin Nawarat, Ye Lin Naing, Kyaw Cho Cho Thin, Mya Myo Myint Nwe, Hnin Einzali, Tint Sabe Soe Win, Aung Phyo Kyaw)