Frequently Asked Questions

On the one hand, the Secure Chain makes the release and collection of import containers more secure and reliable. Both cargo and people are better protected. On the other hand, the smart reuse of data throughout the entire logistics chain ensures optimal insight into the status and planning of import containers. For more specific information on the benefits, please visit the homepage and the specific target group pages on this website.

At the heart of the development of the Secure Chain is the widely felt desire by authorities and the business community to increase the security and reliability of logistics chains. Collaboration is key in this respect. In logistics, data and cargo move from link to link. Every transition constitutes a potential risk. Through the Secure Chain, only familiar and released parties have access to specific information and are able to perform actions.

The Secure Chain is essentially an agreement between the shipping line/ship agent and its customers. Ultimately, it is the shipping line/ship agent that determines the manner in which a container is released. Almost all deepsea shipping lines/ship agents have decided to release containers via the Secure Chain. Given the responsibilities all parties have in terms of security and reliability, non-participation is not really an option. Furthermore, governments have expressly urged shipping lines/shipagents to prioritise the introduction of measures such as the Secure Chain in view of their substantial importance to society. If a shipping line/ship agent releases a container via the Secure Chain, everyone in the chain must participate. As an intermediate link, it is not possible to remove oneself from this process; this would mean the container consequently cannot be collected from the terminal. 

The previous approach involving a PIN code sent by the shipping line/ship agent for collecting a container was open to potential abuse. These PIN codes were often widely shared within the chain. In principle, anyone in possession of the PIN code could collect the container. The Secure Chain puts an end to this. Each link digitally passes on the authorisation to securely collect a container to the next designated party. This creates a closed chain which only comprises familiar, authorised parties. They securely exchange ‘need-to-know’ information with one another. Furthermore, participants operationally benefit from the smart reuse of data and optimal insight into the status and planning of import containers 

Releasing a container means that the shipping line/ship agent makes it available to the customer for collection. This usually happens after the customer has completed all necessary payments. Until the moment of release, a container is blocked in the computer system of the terminal of arrival. The customer will not be able to collect the container.

Furthermore, a distinction is made between the container’s commercial release (by the shipping line/ship agent) and its release by Customs. To be able to collect a container at a terminal, both kinds of releases are required.

In the Secure Chain, each link digitally passes on the authorisation to collect a container to the subsequent link. This creates a closed chain with only familiar, authorised parties. They exchange ‘need-to-know’ information with one another in a secure manner. PIN codes are eliminated from the release and collection process and can therefore no longer be abused by unauthorised parties for illegally collecting containers and/or accessing container information. 

The previous approach involving a PIN code sent by the shipping line/ship agent for collecting a container was open to potential abuse. These PIN codes were often widely shared within the chain. In principle, anyone in possession of the PIN code could come and collect the container. The Secure Chain puts an end to this. Each link digitally passes on the authorisation to securely collect a container to the next designated party. This creates a closed chain which only comprises familiar, authorised parties. They securely exchange ‘need-to-know’ information with one another. Furthermore, participants operationally benefit from the smart reuse of data and optimal insight into the status and planning of import containers throughout the entire logistics chain.

The ultimate aim is for all deepsea import containers to be released and collected at the terminals via the Secure Chain. This means that all parties in these chains must participate at the instigation of the shipping line/ship agent: from the shipper, forwarder and logistics service provider to the inland operator (truck, train, barge) that collects the container at the terminal. A container that is released via the Secure Chain cannot be removed from the process halfway through.

The rollout will take place in a phased and controlled manner. The shipping lines/ship agents will initially focus their attention on high-risk deepsea import containers, mainly from South and Central America. In 2024, deepsea import containers from other sailing areas will gradually become eligible for the Secure Chain as well. Would you like to know which shipping lines/shipping agents are participating? Click here

Currently, all attention is fully geared toward the rollout of the release of deepsea import containers via the Secure Chain. In the long term, it is conceivable that shortsea import containers and empty containers, for example, will also be handled via the Secure Chain. Furthermore, we are working with all partners to assess whether other digital processes can be better secured.

Ultimately, the way in which the Secure Chain works is quite straightforward; however, the process leading up to this proved extensive and time-consuming. Think of creating awareness throughout the entire logistics chain among a large number of different parties, for example, and process analysis, coordination with the community, realisation, testing, etc. Furthermore, a completely new operational approach is being introduced; changing habits and behaviour is not easy. 

The shipping line/ship agent that brings in the container by sea sets the Secure Chain in motion. Each shipping line/ship agent uses their own timeframe in that respect. Participating shipping lines/shipping agents have indicated that the introduction of the release via the Secure Chain will take place in a phased and controlled manner. In 2023, the initial focus will primarily be on high-risk containers, especially from South and Central America. Depending on the shipping line and/or customer, containers from other shipping areas may also be eligible. Each shipper/forwarder (the release-to-party) will be notified by the shipping line/forwarder in advance about the new operational approach. Would you like to know which shipping lines/shipagents are participating? Click here

The technical implementation of the Secure Chain runs via the Port Community System of Portbase. A large number of logistics service providers and inland operators already make use of Portbase’s services. For these existing services, they pay a subscription and a usage fee, both based on cost recovery. For the release and collection of containers via the Secure Chain, Portbase has expanded the relevant service provision in a cost-neutral manner by means of an extra authorisation layer. A new basic service is available for parties that are new to Portbase – and that only need to receive the release from the ship agent/shipping line and directly pass on this authorisation to a subsequent link. This service can be used free of charge. Please contact Portbase for more information. A company only incurs costs for the services of the own software supplier should an API interface be required.

The Secure Chain and its implementation via the services of Portbase is made partially possible by the Implementation Agenda for the Port of Rotterdam, National Growth Fund/Digital Infrastructure Logistics and Port of Rotterdam Authority. The Implementation Agenda for the Port of Rotterdam is a broad public-private partnership in which various government bodies (Police, Public Prosecution Service, Customs, Fiscal Information and Investigation Service, Municipal government, Tax Authorities, Harbor Master of Rotterdam) and private parties (Port of Rotterdam Authority, Deltalinqs and individual companies) have consolidated all goals and measures aimed at boosting security in the port. DIL focuses on the further advancement of digitisation in logistics. The Port of Rotterdam Authority directly benefits from being an attractive, secure port and from the proper implementation of improvement measures to facilitate this.

The Secure Chain endeavours to boost the resilience of the (digital) port processes. A large number of parties have joined forces for the Secure Chain. Combined, the initiating parties represent all the links in the logistics chain: from the terminal, shipper and forwarder to the logistics service provider and inland operator (truck, train, inland shipping). The Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Municipality of Rotterdam, Dutch Customs, the Seaport Police and several semi-public organisations also support the Secure Chain. Portbase has been requested by the collaborating parties to focus on the technical realisation of certain aspects of the Secure Chain.

The government considers the implementation of the Secure Chain to be of the utmost significance, but it is not formally involved in its introduction. However, shipping lines/ship agents have been expressly urged to treat measures such as the Secure Chain with urgency due to their societal importance.

Click here for an overview of the initiators and partners who make the Secure Chain possible.

Within the Secure Chain, a control group comprising specialists bears responsibility for the progress and coordination with all stakeholders. Decisions about the rollout are taken during the consultation sessions that the control group has with the boards of the shipping lines/ship agents. In addition, coordination takes place with a broad representation from public and private parties. There are separate consultations with Portbase regarding the technical realisation.

Primarily, the new approach to releasing and collecting containers is initiated by the port business community, which also bears responsibility for the initiative. The Dutch government considers this matter highly important and supports these measures. For example, the Dutch and Belgian governments, the municipalities of Rotterdam and Antwerp as well as the managements of the shipping lines MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, Hapag Lloyd and Seatrade signed the ‘Declaration on the fight against cross-border organised drug crime’ in February 2023. This declaration features concrete agreements pertaining to the joint fight against organised crime in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. Among other things, this is reflected in the Implementation Agenda for the Port of Rotterdam.

The Implementation Agenda for the Port of Rotterdam is the working title for a broad public-private partnership in which various government bodies (Police, Public Prosecution Service, Customs, Fiscal Information and Investigation Service, Municipal government, Tax Authorities, Harbor Master of Rotterdam) and private parties (Port of Rotterdam Authority, Deltalinqs and individual companies) have been consolidating all goals and measures aimed at boosting security in the port for several years already. The Secure Chain is one of the 22 projects the partnership focuses on.

The implementation and scaling-up of the process for releasing and collecting containers via the Secure Chain takes place in a phased and controlled manner. Phase 1 ran until the 31^st of March 2024 and entails all incoming container cargo from Latin America. Depending on the shipping line/ship agent and/or customer, containers from other shipping areas were also eligible for release via the Secure Chain upon request during this phase. Currently, the shipping lines/ship agents are primarily focusing on their top 100 customers. After that, other sailing areas will be added step by step.

The actions you need to take for the Secure Chain depend on the role you play in the logistics chain. At www.secure-chain.eu, under the menu option ‘How to act’, you can read about the actions required on your part. By answering a few questions at https://www.portbase.com/en/secure-chain, you can immediately learn which Portbase service is relevant for you.

The shipping line/shipagent that brings in the container by sea sets the Secure Chain in motion. Each shipping line/shipagent individually informs and guides its customers (the party to whom the container is released) for the transition to the Secure Chain. In principle, all participating shipping lines/shipagents have committed to a phased and controlled rollout, with the primary focus being on high-risk containers. This predominantly concerns cargo from Latin America. Next, other deepsea import containers will follow in phases. Whether you are able to immediately join the Secure Chain for multiple sailing areas at once as a customer depends on the individual agreements you have in place with the shipping line/shipagent. The shipping line/shipagent will provide you with the instructions for participation; you can also read them on this website under the menu ‘What to do if’. Want to know which shipping lines/shipagents are participating? Click here

Almost all deepsea shipping lines that call at Rotterdam are participating in the Secure Chain. An overview is available here. In addition, there are calls to expand the Secure Chain to other Dutch ports and other segments (including shortsea). 

As a customer (the so-called release-to-party), you inform your chain partners about the steps they need to take to participate once you have received the announcement of your upcoming participation in the Secure Chain from the shipping line/ship agent. For this, you can use the information you received from the shipping line/ship agent, but you can also refer them to www.secure-chain.eu. Many logistics service providers and inland operators work for multiple clients and will quickly become familiar with the new operational approach.

In principle, participation in the Secure Chain constitutes an agreement between the shipping line/ship agent and its customer (the so-called release-to-party). If you, as a chain partner of this customer, feel that you will not be ready in time – due to required system adjustments, for example – then it is important to contact them. The Portbase services for the Secure Chain are not just available via a system interface, but also as a web service. Click here for more information.

The customer code is the reference number under which you as a customer (the so-called release-to-party) are known to the shipping line/ship agent. When the shipping line/ship agent announces that your containers will soon be handled via the Secure Chain, they will provide you with this customer code. As a customer of the shipping line/ship agent, you are expected to inform your chain partners about the new operational approach. This allows all parties involved to adequately prepare. You next enter the customer code in the Portbase service Cargo Controller or Cargo Release Manager. The shipping line/ship agent consequently knows that you are ready and will start releasing the containers via the Secure Chain. Please note: if you are a customer of multiple shipping lines/ship agents, you will receive a separate customer code from each of them.

In principle, all participating shipping lines/ship agents have committed to a phased and controlled rollout, with the primary focus being on high-risk containers. This predominantly concerns cargo from Latin America. Whether cargo from other countries can also be handled via the Secure Chain in the initial phase depends on the individual agreements you have in place with the shipping line/ship agent. 

At present, all attention is geared to the rollout of the Secure Chain for deepsea import containers via the port of Rotterdam. In the long term, it is possible that other Dutch ports may also opt for the Secure Chain solution and/or that other cargo flows will be handled via the Secure Chain as well. Technically, this is doable. After all, Portbase is the Port Community System of the Dutch ports.

The technical rollout of the Secure Chain takes place by expanding existing services in the Port Community System (PCS) of the Dutch ports by means of an extra authorisation layer. Parties in the port logistics chains have been quickly and conveniently exchanging digital data with one another via this PCS for more than twenty years already. T-Mining’s Secure Container Release is a separate blockchain solution. Of course, shipping lines/ship agents are free to make their own choice from the available solutions for releasing containers. In all cases, the inland operator will however always need to submit a pre-notification to the container terminal via Portbase prior to collecting containers.

Certified Pick-Up is the solution devised by Port of Antwerp-Bruges to make the release process in the port of Antwerp more secure. There are major similarities in the way Certified Pick-Up and the Secure Chain work, but major differences are present as well. The Secure Chain works supplemental to existing port processes and the available Portbase services to facilitate this. An authorisation layer has been added to these services in a cost-neutral manner. Users do not need to log in to a new, separate platform, but can simply continue working in their existing, familiar environment. Consequently, the smart reuse of data is always possible.

Parties that operate through both the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp will have to deal with two separate processes regarding the release of import containers. One common solution would have been ideal. However, the (local) processes and support systems in both ports differ to such an extent that the implementation of a common solution is highly complicated, especially also in view of the social pressure to quickly achieve improvements.

The technical implementation of the Secure Chain runs via Portbase, the Port Community System of the Dutch ports. Portbase has been able to expand the services that are required for the Secure Chain free of charge. A company only incurs costs for the services provided by its own software supplier in situations where an API interface is required.
For receiving the release and transferring authorisations, shippers/forwarders who are new to Portbase can sign up for the free basic service Cargo Release Manager service or for the paid service Cargo Controller, which offers many more options.

In principle, participation in the Secure Chain constitutes an agreement between the shipping line/ship agent and the shipper/forwarder (as the release-to-party). It is up to the shipper/forwarder to involve the subsequent links. In view of the responsibility each party bears in terms of security and reliability, no logistics party can factually ignore the Secure Chain though. Authorities have also expressly urged shipping lines/ship agents to take expeditious measures for the benefit of society. Once a container has been released via the Secure Chain, it must run through the Secure Chain until collection at the terminal.

Should the Portbase services experience a disruption, then an emergency procedure is in place for participants. The quickest way to verify whether a service is indeed experiencing a disruption is to subscribe here to status updates about the service(s) relevant to you. More information is available at Availability PCS – Portbase Support.

The Secure Chain is a partnership of public and private parties. For the release and collection process via the Secure Chain, the participating deepsea shipping lines/ship agents and container terminals have decided that all data exchange must take place via the services of Portbase. Of course, shipping lines/ship agents have the option of choosing a different solution for the secure and reliable release of containers. In all cases, the inland operator will however need to submit a pre-notification to the container terminal via Portbase prior to the collection of the container.

Portbase operates according to the highest security standards. Security measures are both visible and invisible. Click here for more information

Portbase is a not-for-profit organisation whose shareholders are the Port of Rotterdam Authority (75%) and Port of Amsterdam (25%). Portbase is neutral, independent and operates on a non-profit basis.

A Port Community System (PCS for short) constitutes the digital infrastructure of a port. Via the PCS, (port) companies exchange data with authorities and with one another. Through the smart reuse of data, all core processes in the port logistics chains can consequently be digitally handled in a fast, efficient and secure manner. Portbase is the organisation responsible for the PCS of the Dutch ports. Click here for more information

Portbase manages the Port Community System (PCS) of the Dutch ports. It is the ambition of Portbase to make the logistics chains of the Dutch ports as attractive as possible through one single gateway. From mandatory notifications to the Harbor Master and authorities to secure data exchange between companies and the management of rights and access to data: the PCS enables all parties in the logistics chain to exchange information faster, more efficiently and at lower costs. The aim is to transform the Dutch ports into the smartest in Europe. Portbase is neutral, operated by and for the port community and does not have a profit motive. The PCS currently has more than 5,000 participating companies with approximately 25,000 users. Click here for more information

The implementation and scaling-up of the process for releasing and collecting containers via the Secure Chain takes place in a phased and controlled manner. Phase 1 ran until the 31^st of March 2024 and entails all incoming container cargo from Latin America. Depending on the shipping line/ship agent and/or customer, containers from other shipping areas were also eligible for release via the Secure Chain upon request during this phase. Currently, the shipping lines/ship agents are primarily focusing on their top 100 customers. After that, other sailing areas will be added step by step.

As a neutral logistics platform for the Dutch ports, Portbase has been requested by the port business community to create an additional authorisation layer on top of the existing digital services in the Port Community System to facilitate the technical realisation of the Secure Chain. Opting for this approach keeps the impact of the Secure Chain’s implementation to a minimum. Furthermore, a free basic service has been launched for new parties that need to connect to Portbase for the Secure Chain. Thus, all parties are able to digitally pass on the authorisation to collect a container from one link to the next in a convenient and secure manner.

The Secure Chain is a broad partnership of businesses and government bodies to boost the resilience of port logistics processes. Portbase has been requested to realize a substantial part of the technical solution via the Port Community System of the Dutch ports, making use of the existing digital service provision for the core processes in the port. However, Portbase is not the only party that is making improvements to the port logistics process for the Secure Chain. Take the initiative of the container terminals to start verifying the operating carrier at the gate, for example. Another example concerns measures and agreements between Customs, terminals and shipping lines/ship agents to improve the inspection process. These initiatives are also part of the Secure Chain and they are implemented by parties other than Portbase.

You will find the answers to your questions about the Portbase services for the Secure Chain on these support pages.

Currently, all attention is fully focused on the rollout via the Secure Chain of the release of deepsea import containers at the deepsea terminals in the port of Rotterdam. In the long term, it is conceivable that cargo flows via other terminals and/or ports will be handled via the Secure Chain as well.

It does not come as a surprise that criminals are constantly looking for new ways to carry out their activities. Every company and every link should be aware of this and take measures to protect themselves. For more information on how the different links approach this, please contact their respective sector organisations.

Only familiar and authorised parties can view information and perform actions in the Secure Chain. In this way, we make the logistics chain more secure and reliable. PIN codes, which are susceptible to fraud, are eliminated from the process. The possession of information (read the PIN code) is no longer the key to gaining access to terminals. In a ‘closed’ logistics chain, parties exchange ‘need-to-know’ information with each other in a secure manner. They digitally communicate the authorisation to collect a container to one another.

PIN code fraud is the misuse of the PIN codes that shipping lines/ship agents provide to their customers for collecting containers at the terminals. With the introduction of the Secure Chain, these PIN codes are eliminated from the release and collection process. Please contact the Seaport Police for more information about PIN code fraud.

The Secure Chain makes the release and collection process of deepsea import containers in the port of Rotterdam significantly more secure and reliable. As PIN codes are completely eliminated from the process, this form of fraud is no longer possible. Unfortunately, criminals are always looking for new avenues to commit fraud. Please contact the Seaport Police for more information about this.

This is certainly an important reason to make the release and collection process of import containers more secure and reliable by means of a new operational approach. This allows us to kill two birds with one stone. Participants in the Secure Chain also benefit from the enhanced protection of sensitive data (important from a compliance perspective). Furthermore, the smart reuse of data provides optimal insight into the status and planning of import containers.

In a ‘closed’ logistics chain, only authorised and familiar parties exchange ‘need-to-know’ data with each other in a secure manner. PIN codes, which are susceptible to fraud, are eliminated from the process. Parties digitally communicate the authorisation to collect a container to one another.

In the Secure Chain, the authorisation to collect a container is transferred digitally from one link to the next. Only known and authorised parties can view specific information and perform actions. PIN codes, which are susceptible to fraud, are eliminated from the logistics process. As a result, logistics chains become less susceptible to crime and theft.