providing a reference architecture for standardizing data exchange in smart ports, focusing on edifact and imo standards

The transition to smart ports relies on seamless, secure, and standardized data exchange among numerous stakeholders, including port authorities, terminal operators, shipping lines, and logistics providers. however, the current landscape suffers from fragmented data standards, legacy systems like edifact, and inconsistently adopted imo data models, causing inefficiencies and reduced interoperability. this paper proposes a novel reference architecture to standardize and harmonize data exchange within smart port ecosystems. the architecture provides a structured framework that integrates traditional electronic data interchange for administration, commerce, and transport (edifact) messages with modern, semantic web-based standards advocated by the international maritime organization (imo), particularly the imo reference data model (imo rdm). the design science research methodology was employed, comprising a systematic literature review, a critical analysis of existing standards limitations, and the iterative development and validation of the architecture through a focused simulation of port call processes. the simulation, modeling 500 vessel port calls, demonstrated that the proposed architecture could reduce data reconciliation errors by 42% and decrease the average data exchange time for a port call by 35 minutes compared to a heterogeneous standards environment. the results confirm that a layered architecture, featuring a canonical data model as an intermediary between different standard formats, is crucial for achieving interoperability. the study concludes that the proposed reference architecture serves as a vital blueprint for port communities seeking to navigate the digital transition without obsoleting existing investments, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, visibility, and resilience in global maritime supply chains.