Web-based Port Data Platform Launched

The Marcura Group, a Dubai-based group of companies focused on providing innovative business solutions to the maritime industry, has announced the launch of PortPoint, an online platform with modules for port costs, port information and port agents’ data.

With the PortCosts module, users are able to quickly look up port costs globally based on data from over 200,000 anonymous and actual port calls. This unique feature enables brokers, charterers, operators and other players in the dry bulk and tanker industry to secure valuable cost information for use in pre-fixture negotiations, sophisticated benchmarking options and other uses. PortInfo, the port information module of the platform, gives an overview of observed restrictions at berth and terminal level in over 4,000 ports worldwide. 
 
“Since its beta release, trial users in April and production release in early May 2015, the platform has received very positive feedback”, says Jay Schulz, Director of PortPoint. “PortPoint was developed based on our Group’s design thinking methodology, where users are engaged and testing the product from a very early mock-up stage. This ensures the platform is incredibly user-friendly and has no distracting elements.”

The platform also includes PortPages, an industry-specific agency listing, where users can look up information on agents, their detailed contact details as well as their industry affiliations and accreditations. This listing is possibly the most comprehensive, most stress-tested tramp agency listing in the industry because it is sanctions-screened and checked daily.

“We see this new platform as key towards providing our customers more process improvements, business intelligence and compliance solutions that are specific and relevant to their day-to-day operations,” remarks Jens Lorens Poulsen, CEO of The Marcura Group.