In order to increase the competitiveness of Croatian seaports, seaport cluster stakeholders should strive to digitalize and optimize their business processes. A significant part of such digitalization and optimization is constituted by the implementation of a Port Community
System. In this paper, the authors will define the theoretical framework of Port Community Systems, and will determine the basic economic indicators and benefits of investing in the
implementation of the Port Community System. Potential costs of project development and the costs of maintaining the system within the forecasted period of use will be determined. The potential savings from the digitalization of business processes related to cargo processing will be determined, based on the Port of Split case study.
Digitalization of Croatian seaports will create the potential for increasing seaport competitiveness and traffic volumes.
Since self-financing of such projects is extremely demanding for individual seaports, Port Community System implementation should be achieved by synergistic efforts of the national and regional authorities, seaports and other involved stakeholders, and by using available EU funding.