The European Union (EU), the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), and the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) in Spain launched the Digital Interoperability Project linking the Central American Digital Trade Platform (PDCC) with the Port Community System (PCS) of the Port of Algeciras. The project’s main goal is to facilitate trade between Central America and the European Union through the Port of Algeciras, widely recognized as Europe’s southern gateway.
By enabling data exchange between the PDCC and the Algeciras PCS, the system will allow for pre-clearance inspections, ensure a streamlined, secure, and intelligent flow of documents, and provide exporters and operators with complete physical and documentary traceability of goods from port to port across the maritime bridge between the two regions. This comprehensive traceability capability will strengthen transparency, efficiency, and trust in bi-regional trade exchanges.
Currently, trade between the EU and Central America exceeds €18 billion annually, with the EU ranking as the region’s second most important trading partner and the leading destination for agricultural products such as bananas and pineapples.
This pioneering initiative will enable the digital exchange of sanitary certificates and customs documents between the two regions, expediting documentary evaluations before goods inspection, reducing waiting times, and increasing both reliability and efficiency in the entry of Central American exports into the European Union via the Port of Algeciras.
“The European Union has been, and will continue to be, a strategic partner for Central America in the development of the Central American Digital Trade Platform (PDCC). This new step toward interoperability with the Port of Algeciras demonstrates how trade-related technology can transform our logistics chains, making them more agile, transparent, and resilient. Backed by the EU–Central America Association Agreement and the Global Gateway strategy, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering mutually beneficial trade relations that enhance regional competitiveness, facilitate Central American market access to Europe, and strengthen bi-regional economic integration with a long-term vision,” said Pierre-Louis Lempereur, EU Ambassador to Costa Rica.
SIECA is supporting this project by providing specialized technical assistance to ensure proper implementation and compliance with regional and international standards. For his part, Mario Salazar, Executive Director of SIECA, emphasized that this initiative strengthens regional economic integration by modernizing trade processes: “Ensuring interoperability between the PDCC and the PCS not only improves access for Central American products to the European Union, but also reinforces the competitiveness of Central American exports, directly benefitting producers, exporters, and consumers.”
From the European perspective, Gerardo Landaluce Calleja, President of the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, emphasized the strategic role of the port as a continental gateway:
“The Port of Algeciras is a key logistics hub for fresh produce and other Central American goods. With this digital interoperability, we initiate inspection processes earlier, reduce transit times, and reinforce our position as an international benchmark in digital innovation and port sustainability.”
The Port of Algeciras also provides significant added value by supporting producers at origin, especially those undertaking their first export operations to Europe.
This project is framed within the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to promote sustainable, digital, and reliable infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through this interoperability, Central America positions itself at the forefront of digital trade facilitation, while Europe consolidates its role as a strategic partner in building modern and resilient logistics chains.
The institutions highlighted that the PDCC–PCS initiative serves as a pilot model that can be replicated across other bi-regional logistics corridors, integrating shared digital standards and fostering more efficient and sustainable supply chains.
Global Gateway
The European Union’s Global Gateway strategy promotes smart, clean, and secure connections in the digital, energy, and transport sectors while also strengthening health, education, and research systems worldwide. Launched in 2021 by the European Commission and the EU High Representative, the initiative aims to mobilize up to €300 billion in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States, and European financial and development institutions. Global Gateway focuses on quality infrastructure investment aligned with the EU’s strictest social and environmental standards, consistent with its values: rule of law, human rights, and international norms and standards.
At the EU–CELAC Summit, the European Commission announced a €45 billion investment agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean under the Global Gateway initiative.
More information: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/global-gateway-overview_es