A survey by logistics software vendor Kalé Logistics finds that only 5% of respondents say their port has fully implemented a Port Community System, the electronic platform that manages data distribution among port stakeholders. Customs agencies are the primary barrier, cited by 50% of those surveyed, with other government agencies at 35%. The report also shows 79% of respondents say their port lacks a fully operational PCS, 22% cite digital skills gaps, and customs authorities and freight forwarders record the lowest willingness to adopt at 33%. Kalé's Vineet Malhotra says policy, people and technology must move together.
According to www.dcvelocity.com, only 5% of surveyed port stakeholders say their port has fully implemented a Port Community System (PCS), the electronic platform that manages data distribution among the many parties that make up a port community. The finding comes from global research by logistics software vendor Kalé Logistics, published in its “State of Port Digital Readiness & Stakeholder Adoption of Port Community Systems” report.
Customs agencies named as the main obstacle
The survey identifies customs agencies as the primary barrier to PCS adoption, cited by 50% of respondents. Other government agencies were flagged by 35%, suggesting that public-sector processes, rather than private-sector appetite, sit at the center of the slowdown.
The report also found that 79% of respondents say their port does not have a fully operational PCS. A further 22% pointed to digital skills gaps as a barrier to adoption, and the research notes that uptake remains particularly weak in low-income countries.
Kalé says a PCS connects public and private organizations across a port through a shared digital environment, allowing data to be securely exchanged and reused. In practice, that means less paperwork, congestion, delay and duplicated process, alongside improved cargo visibility and coordination across the port community.
Customs and forwarders show lowest willingness
Customs authorities and freight forwarders record the lowest willingness to adopt PCS, at 33%, despite their central role in cargo clearance and trade facilitation. Kalé argues that wider adoption can give port communities the real-time information and coordination needed to manage disruption, improve cargo flows and build more resilient trade corridors.
The research combined stakeholder surveys from port authorities, shippers, freight forwarders, customs brokers and government officials. Its authors say the results highlight the need for regulatory reform, improved digital skills and greater collaboration across port communities.
Kalé executive calls for policy and people to move with technology
Vineet Malhotra, Co-Founder and Director at Kalé, said technology alone cannot resolve the pressures ports face while information stays fragmented between organizations and regulatory systems.
“Ports are facing greater supply chain disruption, congestion, labour volatility, and compliance demands, but technology alone cannot solve these pressures while information remains fragmented between organisations and regulatory systems. The next phase of port digitalisation requires policy, people, and technology to move together, with authorities enabling trusted data exchange and ensuring developing markets are not left behind.” — Vineet Malhotra, Co-Founder and Director, Kalé
The findings place the weakest adoption among the very parties most involved in clearing cargo, with customs authorities and freight forwarders at 33% willingness even as only 5% of ports report full PCS implementation. The report was covered by DC Velocity on Nov 05, 2026.
Source: DC Velocity
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
