The combination of the timestamps and positions is what will be used in the communication between ships and ports for planning arrivals and departures. The timestamps will be used together with a position, such as, “the pilot boarding place” or “berth”. For this purpose, the IMO Data Model Framework has introduced a number of “timestamps”, for example, the “Requested Time of Arrival” (RTA). The IMO Data Model Framework aims to harmonise this information so that it can be sent in the same format in all ports and terminals around the world. There are currently different systems in place globally for information sharing between ships and ports regarding ships’ arrival and departure times.
