Shortsea shipping also made more secure through the Secure Chain
Boosting the resilience of logistics chains also requires the participation of the shortsea sector in the Secure Chain. This represents an important next step toward the secure and reliable release and collection of import containers in the port using a uniform approach – without the use of PIN codes or booking references. Rotterdam will be taking concrete steps towards this throughout 2026.
Connection in full swing
Several major shortsea shipping lines/ship agents have begun connecting their customers and the underlying chains to the Secure Chain. Some of these parties are already live, while others are participating in a pilot. Click here for the current participants. All these shortsea parties are customers of Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals and/or Matrans Rotterdam Terminal, both of which have been using the Secure Chain for deepsea cargo for some time already.
How to participate
Shortsea shipping lines/ship agents looking to release their import containers securely and reliably via the Secure Chain use the Portbase service Secure Chain Release for this purpose. Participation is possible both via a system interface and simply via the web.
Learn more
Action required from every link in the chain
Are you a shipper, forwarder or carrier that is part of the shortsea chain of one of the participating shipping lines/ship agents? Action is required from every link in the chain!
Participation is important!
Jan Janse, Head of the Seaport Police Rotterdam
“Criminals always look for the weakest link. Therefore, it is a good thing that the Secure Chain is now also focusing on the inclusion of the shortsea sector. We know that routes are shifting, so we must remain extremely vigilant on these high-risk lanes. If you are not resilient as a shortsea shipping line, you can quickly become a target.”
Peter van Buijtenen, Regional Director of Customs for the port of Rotterdam
“I call on all parties in Rotterdam to join the Secure Chain. This would provide Rotterdam with a unified, secure and reliable operational approach. There is still much to be gained, particularly in the shortsea sector. Shortsea terminals and shipping lines may not yet feel the same urgency, but I believe that ultimately, concerns for employee safety will be a key motivator for their participation.”
Harbour Master René de Vries
“Be alert to all forms of undermining. Participate in all relevant initiatives, such as the Secure Chain. A container from South America can first go to Le Havre and then to Rotterdam. That officially makes the origin ‘European,’ but in reality, it is still a high-risk container from South America.”
Further expansion being explored
To achieve 100% Secure Chain coverage in the port of Rotterdam, several shipping lines/ship agents and terminals still need to take action. This applies to both the shortsea and the deepsea sectors. We are currently assessing these parties’ willingness to participate. At the same time, we are exploring what is required to connect them.
Are you a shipping line/ship agent or terminal that has not yet been approached for participation?Express you interest here.