PRESS RELEASE | February 2026 | Rotterdam / Paramaribo
The National Port Community System (PCS) Suriname is part of The Improvement of the Transport Logistic and Competitiveness in Suriname (ITLCS) program. This national initiative is led by the Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank under operation SU-L1057.
The initial implementation phase of the PCS project officially commenced on November 1st, 2025 and represents a major milestone in Suriname’s vision to strengthen sustainable trade, enhance logistics performance, and improve international competitiveness.
Six Strategic Objectives
The National PCS initiative is structured around six strategic objectives that guide implementation and ensure long-term sustainability:
- SO1 – Implementation Plan: Execute the PCS plan over 18 months, starting with deployment at Dr. Jules Sedney Port, Paramaribo.
- SO2 – Sustainable Digital Platform: Build a high-availability, high-performance, and secure platform that meets international standards and ensures technological neutrality and scalability.
- SO3 – Turnkey Solution Compliance: Deliver a solution fully compliant with the technical, functional, and regulatory requirements defined in Sections 3 and 4 of the Request for Proposal (RFP).
- SO4 – Continuous Service Development: Establish a roadmap for future PCS services, ensuring adaptability to new stakeholder needs, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies.
- SO5 – Operational Sustainability: Transition system management and ownership to the future PCS operator, ensuring long-term sustainability, performance, and availability of this national digital infrastructure.
- SO6 – Governance Optimization: Collaborate with the Ministry of Public Works and Suriname Port Management Company to enhance governance, ensuring efficient change management and alignment with national objectives.
What is a Port Community System (PCS)?
A Port Community System (PCS) is a digital logistics coordination platform used within port environments. It connects port authorities, customs, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and other logistics providers to manage vessel operations, cargo handling, gate movements, and documentation flows.
Its primary objective is to enhance operational efficiency, reduce congestion, improve cargo turnaround times, strengthen compliance, and increase transparency across the entire transport and supply chain network.
Through this project, Suriname will establish a centralized, secure, and collaborative digital data platform serving all stakeholders involved in port and logistics operations.
Compliance with IMO FAL and Maritime Single Window
The project aligns with global maritime digitalization frameworks established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Following the 2024 enforcement of the IMO FAL Maritime Single Window (MSW) requirements, Suriname is advancing beyond compliance by implementing a fully integrated national Port Community System.
The PCS will incorporate three main components:
- Maritime Single Window (MSW) – enabling digital submission and processing of all regulatory requirements and international treaties related to vessel entry, stay, and departure.
- Security Module – strengthening gate-in and gate-out controls in line with ongoing port expansion.
- Truck Handling Optimization – accelerating truck processing and reducing congestion.
Implementation Partner and Solution
IT Partner will implement CENTER PCS, its proven solution for multipurpose ports handling containers, bulk cargo, and cruise vessels. The platform is already operational in various Caribbean ports and is designed to meet international standards for security, performance, technological neutrality, and scalability.
With over 25 years of experience, IT Partner has developed into a full-scale solution provider for terminal and port companies worldwide, recognized for its service-oriented approach and expertise in port logistics innovation.
Project Milestones and Governance
The project was officially launched on 10 December 2025 during a well-attended kick-off session in Paramaribo, hosted by N.V. Havenbeheer Suriname. Representatives from government, port operations, shipping lines, customs authorities, and logistics providers participated in the session.
On 19 February 2026, the Project Steering Committee was formally installed, ensuring structured governance and strong inter-institutional cooperation throughout the project lifecycle.
The Steering Committee consists of the following members:
N.V. Havenbeheer Suriname – Reza Karg
IT Partner B.V. – Tom Schouten
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism – Willytcia Lamé
Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname – Shailesh Badloe
Ministry of Finance and Planning – Sagita Jaggan
Ministry of Finance and Planning (Customs) – Joyce de Vlugt
Note for the Press
For more information, please contact:
Reza Karg
NV Havenbeheer
Email: reza.karg@havenbeheer.sr
Tom Schouten
IT Partner B.V.
Email: tschouten@itpartner.nl
