It is with deep sadness that we learnt of the passing of Richard Morton, Secretary General of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), at the age of 50.
Born on 7 October 1971 in Suffolk, United Kingdom, Richard began his career in European road, sea and air freight operations before joining the Haven Gateway Partnership as project director, leading European Interreg projects.
In 2011, Richard founded the European Port Community Systems Association (EPCSA) with just six members. Under his leadership the organisation was renamed IPCSA in 2014 and grew to over 50 members worldwide. He worked tirelessly with international bodies including the United Nations (UN), World Customs Organization (WCO), World Trade Organization (WTO), European Commission, International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), IATA and TIACA.
Richard was an expert for UN/CEFACT and served on the APEC eCommerce Business Alliance Expert Council. Among his key achievements were the development of the Network of Trusted Networks (NoTN), the Blockchain Bill of Lading initiative, and the integration of PROTECT into IPCSA’s portfolio.
Richard served as a member of the ISO/TC 154 Chair’s Advisory Group. His expertise in electronic business, trade facilitation and port community systems made him an invaluable contributor to the committee’s work.
He is survived by his wife Inga and daughter Aleksandra, with whom he lived in Saulkrasti, Latvia.
Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and friends.
Members of ISO/TC 154
