Shortsea sector joins the Secure chain for safer container handling

Following the successful rollout among deepsea shipping lines, the Port of Rotterdam is taking a next step in strengthening digital resilience. Starting in January, eight shortsea shipping lines will launch a pilot to handle import containers via the Secure chain. This significantly increases the share of containers released without the use of fraud-sensitive PIN codes.

Expansion to the shortsea sector

The transition of the shortsea sector is seen by the Port of Rotterdam Authority as a logical next step in the professionalization of port logistics. The eight shipping lines leading the way in January are BG Freight Lines, Boluda Lines, Eimskip, Eucon Shipping & Transport, Mann Lines, Samskip, Unifeeder, and Wec Lines. With these participants, approximately 50% of the total shortsea volume is immediately covered.

The participating companies utilize the services of Rotterdam Short Sea Terminals or Matrans Terminal Rotterdam. Additionally, CMA-CGM SSL Intra North Europe has already transitioned to this new way of working. The ultimate goal is to connect the entire sector to this secure system over time.

Moving away from the PIN code

The Secure chain is a closed digital system where only authorized parties can exchange information regarding the release and collection of containers. Previously, PIN codes were used to collect import containers, but these proved vulnerable to misuse and fraud, such as by drug traffickers.

By replacing the PIN code with a digital authorization via Portbase’s Port Community System, the logistics chain becomes much more secure. This method is already the standard for deepsea shipping lines, where 99% of the volume is handled via the Secure chain.

Innovation within the Digital Infrastructure Logistics

The development of the Secure chain does not stand alone. It is one of the central cases within the Maritime Living Labs, where Portbase works on the Basic Data Infrastructure (BDI) as part of the Digital Infrastructure Logistics (DIL) program. Secure and efficient data sharing is central to this infrastructure.

Furthermore, the Secure chain forms the foundation for other innovations, such as the Container Dossier. By recording authorizations at the source (with the shipping line), a chain is created in which all involved parties—from terminals to hinterland transporters—can work with a single shared truth.

With the addition of the shortsea sector, the digital gates of Rotterdam are once again closed more firmly to unauthorized persons, while the flow for bona fide parties becomes more efficient.

_{Source: Nieuwsblad Transport}