Digital Release Process in German Seaports Advances

A unified digital release process for container imports through German seaports, named “Secure Release Order,” is being implemented. This is intended to gradually replace the existing PIN-code-based procedure. The initiators DAKOSY and dbh are targeting the start of the implementation phase for the second half of this year.

(Hamburg) With the comprehensive digitization of the release procedure, the two logistics software service providers aim to enhance the security of pickups at German seaports while simultaneously establishing effective protection against drug smuggling and organized crime through these ports.

The key to this is the digitization of the entire release process with the “Secure Release Order.” This ensures that from the sea arrival of the container at the port to its pickup by the transport company, it is always traceable who is authorized to handle the container. The release of the container can only occur from one authorized party to the next. Each participant digitally transfers the “right to pick up” to the next in the transport chain. This personalized “right to pick up” gradually replaces the previous anonymous PIN procedure. Operations will be gradually ramped up starting in the second half of 2024.

All actors involved in the transport chain are included in the new process, including shipping companies, terminals, freight forwarders, and transport companies. Communication is no longer direct but encrypted via the neutral and location-independent IT platform German Ports, which is jointly operated by DAKOSY and dbh. Through the IT platform, it can be verified at any time who the final rights holder is. For example, terminal operators will check against German Ports whether the picking-up company also holds the right to pick up the container.

Truck Slot Booking Procedure is Integrated

The truck slot booking procedure and the driver registration process at the terminals are integrated into German Ports. Consequently, there is a fixed digital link between the pickup rights, the transport pre-notification, and the truck driver. The uniformly digitized process significantly improves security in import processing for various reasons.

These include:

• Authentication and transfer of release rights
• Documentation of the history of the release rights in German Ports
• Protection against unauthorized data access and manipulation through the encrypted safeguarding of information on the IT platform German Ports

The IT platform German Ports is integrated into the existing port community systems. For the Bremen ports and Wilhelmshaven, this is the Business Information and Tracking Platform (BIT) from dbh, and for the Port of Hamburg, it is the Import Management Platform (IMP) from DAKOSY. The joint project under the label German Ports was initiated by the two software companies in 2021 with the goal of creating standardized solutions for all German seaports and thereby strengthening the attractiveness of maritime locations in international competition.

Support from Port Security Conference

DAKOSY and dbh received significant support for the project to digitize container release as a result of the Port Security Conference with security authorities and the port economy in Hamburg at the end of October 2023. The final declaration stated: “The common goal is a secure procedure for the release of containers through encrypted, traceable, and clearly limited data accesses.” This consensus to make the process safer has since become a major driver of the project.

Photo: © DAKOSY