Hapag-Lloyd was an early adopter in Rotterdam when it introduced its ‘own’ solution to combat the misuse of PIN codes during the collection of containers. Now, the shipping line is switching to the Secure Chain after all. For this, they are utilising the solution which they were already using: Secure Container Release.
The switch to the Secure Chain is currently in full swing. Hapag-Lloyd’s participation has created a uniform, secure and reliable operational approach in the port of Rotterdam. All deepsea shipping lines release import containers in a similar manner without a PIN code. Tom Demolder, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Benelux: “The entire port community in Rotterdam uses Portbase. Our customers found it inconvenient that we were using a different approach. With a view to customer satisfaction and efficiency, we have therefore decided to connect to the Secure Chain. In this way, we can offer our customers an even better service in a continuously secure manner. We use Secure Container Release as a technical intermediate platform for this.”
Early action
The reason that Hapap-Lloyd already started working on eliminating PIN codes in Rotterdam in 2022 was an appeal from the Seaport Police. Demolder: “At the time, we knew that the development of the Secure Chain was underway, but due to our commitment to social responsibility and good entrepreneurship we did not want to wait for this. Via Secure Container Release, a ready-made solution for the PIN code issue was available. Using this quickly yielded positive results for us.”
Support during the switch
To facilitate the switch to the Secure Chain, Hapag-Lloyd customers must perform a one-off action in Secure Container Release. Once completed, containers are fully released via the Secure Chain for the customer in question. “Of course, we support our customers in switching and connecting. Everyone will receive a letter of explanation and instructions are available on our website as well,” says Demolder.
Hapag-Lloyd has started the process of transferring customers to the Secure Chain with high-risk containers from Latin America. If the customer also uses Hapag-Lloyd to transport cargo from other shipping areas, then this cargo will also be immediately transferred. After Latin America, all other customers will follow in succession. Those in the Netherlands are first, followed by parties that are customers of the foreign offices. Demolder emphasises that companies do not necessarily need to wait until they receive a notification from Hapag-Lloyd. “Every customer who wants to switch to the Secure Chain sooner can contact us.”
