As the agent in Rotterdam of the large Chinese shipping line, COSCO Shipping Netherlands on average handles fourteen deepsea vessels and feeders every week. To facilitate the release of incoming import containers, the company is switching to the Secure Chain, sailing area by sailing area. “Customers acknowledge that the Secure Chain contributes to solving a collective problem.”
The significance of the new operational approach, which does not require a PIN code, is crystal clear for COSCO Shipping. “The primary focus is security. It is no secret that criminal organisations use the major European ports to distribute their narcotics. The main goal of the Secure Chain is to bring together the port sector to help limit this as much as possible and preferably even prevent it altogether. According to our partners at government bodies and security agencies, fraud involving PIN codes is now significantly decreasing. As COSCO Shipping, we consider it important to actively contribute to this. Both for the port in general and for the protection of our own employees.”
Companies acknowledge the importance
According to COSCO Shipping, customers generally respond positively to the new operational approach. “They acknowledge the importance. Customers understand that the Secure Chain contributes to solving a collective problem.” This does not alter the fact that participation requires extra effort on their part. “Companies have a tremendous degree of flexibility in this respect though. If they choose to participate via the Portbase service Cargo Controller, they may also be able to yield operational advantages through a good interface. At the same time, a free option is available via the Portbase service Cargo Release Manager.” Another aspect is that the customers of shipping lines are expected to encourage their chain partners to prepare for participation in the Secure Chain as well. “That action is essential. As soon as one single link in the chain is missing or does not function properly, the release of the cargo cannot be realised.”
Efforts are paying off
In the experience of COSCO, participation in the Secure Chain is becoming increasingly smoother for both the shipping line itself and its customers. “The initial period was tough. We had to invest substantially in adjusting our own COSCO systems and extensively testing them. At the same time, we were approaching the first customers for participation.” Now, the new working method has become quite established. “So much work has been done throughout the sector. As a serious logistics company, you must have been living under a rock if you have not heard of the Secure Chain. This also means that if we approach a company for participation, they will most likely already be familiar with the new operational approach.”
Advice to customers
‘Our advice is to approach participation in a project-based manner’
The shipping agent also has advice for companies that are new to the Secure Chain. “Approach your participation in a project-based manner. Appoint a person or put together a team and let them establish the specific requirements for your situation. Also, be sure to use the wide range of support materials offered by the Secure Chain and Portbase. Manuals, demos, flyers, you name it… A final tip is: don’t wait too long. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the new procedure. This will generally make the implementation much smoother.”
‘A final tip is: don’t wait too long. This will generally make the implementation much smoother’
Sailing area by sailing area
COSCO Shipping is connecting customers based on sailing area. “We adhere to the order and the deadlines as communicated by the Secure Chain. This brings clarity and familiarity to our customers. Furthermore, a phased approach keeps the rollout manageable. We are certainly not there yet; for example, we still need to connect incoming containers from the Far East. Of course, that is the largest sailing area for COSCO Shipping as a Chinese shipping line.”
