As the industry organisation representing forwarders, Fenex is one of the co-initiators of the Secure Chain. Cuno Vat, Chairman of Fenex and CEO of Neele-Vat, is enthusiastic about the collaboration. “The Secure Chain is primarily aimed at improving security in the port of Rotterdam, but it also lays the groundwork for various new methods of digital data sharing.”
What attracted Fenex to the Secure Chain’s underlying concept?
“For forwarders, it is crucial that processes in the port are organised as efficiently as possible. The Secure Chain supports the digitalisation of these processes, thus providing a foundation for the further exchange of data in the logistics chain. But more importantly, the initiative has helped combat the growing drug trade in Rotterdam. The city’s international reputation was increasingly coming under pressure. It is good to see that the authorities and the business community were able to turn this situation around. The Secure Chain ensures that cargo is collected from the terminal by the correct truck. Unfortunately, there have been way too many incidents in which criminals used forged shipping bills to take – and therefore steal – cargo. The Secure Chain substantially reduces that risk.”
Were forwarding companies immediately on board?
“Unlike transport companies, forwarders do not spend much time at a terminal. As a result, many of them did not see the relevance of the Secure Chain at first. Especially for forwarders based outside of Rotterdam, it seemed like an inconvenient extra step. Furthermore, the Secure Chain strongly emphasised security in its initial communications. But once we started highlighting the benefits to the forwarders – such as just-in-time collection and optimised delivery planning – they started to recognise the advantages of the Secure Chain. The Portbase service Cargo Controller, which is required for the Secure Chain, allows for much tighter planning.”
Which efforts were required on the part of the forwarders?
“Forwarders located beyond the Rotterdam region had to make the biggest adjustments. Many of them were not yet connected to the Port Community System of Portbase, a prerequisite for participation in the Secure Chain. In their daily operations, forwarders often have to deal with different port community systems anyway, such as those in Rotterdam, Antwerp and perhaps even Hamburg or Calais. Unfortunately, these systems do not connect with one another. Each one requires a separate account and login system.
What do forwarders gain from participation? What advantages does it offer?
“Portbase’s neutral platform links data from parties such as terminals, ship agents, Customs, NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority), inland operators and forwarders. Following the introduction of the Secure Chain, many new parties have joined Portbase, creating a much more comprehensive data network. As forwarders, we now have significantly greater insight into the exact unloading time of a container, the moment it departs from the terminal and any other parties that may be involved in this shipment. This improves the planning process and makes it much easier to identify disruptions in the logistics chain. Portbase even proactively issues notifications if a delay occurs with a specific consignment of cargo.”
What does the Secure Chain mean for the forwarder’s customer?
“For the forwarder’s customer – the shipper – it is vital that cargo arrives safely. The Secure Chain reduces the risk of cargo theft and allows forwarders to provide customers with improved insight into the various intermediate stages of their cargo.”
How does Fenex experience the Secure Chain partnership?
“The Secure Chain is a good example of how we can jointly take responsibility as the business community. It is encouraging to see that through collaboration, significant progress can be made. To me, this truly reflects the spirit of the port of Rotterdam.”
What is the added value of the collaboration for Fenex?
“As forwarders, we are the oil that keeps the logistics process moving, arranging everything for our customers from start to finish. But we truly do need all those other parties for this. From the shipping line and ship agent, via the terminal to the road haulier and rail and barge operators. That is why I am pleased to see all these parties working together in the Secure Chain.”
Any final thoughts from Fenex?
“We should take more pride in the Secure Chain. The authorities and the business community have collaborated to make the port more secure. We should more emphatically communicate this internationally as well. The port of Rotterdam has managed to gain control over the transport of drugs. This has also opened new opportunities for the digital exchange of data, allowing for processes to be organised with greater efficiency in the future.”
