The majority of ports have systems for exchanging information between different agents involved in a supply chain. Port information systems are a form of a “single window” for trade, and are similar in function to airport information systems. One of the most useful functions of a port communications system is the ability to automatically extract the information required by customs authorities from information flows from private port operators. Modern infrastructure allows ports to solve a number of problems, such as identification of employees, ships and vehicles, tracking the movement of containers around the port, ordering trucks and train configuration Thus, the paper provides a modern informational view of port operations and aims to bridge the gap between industry solutions and scientific work.