Process established: Over 700,000 digital releases already completed this year 

Software service providers DAKOSY and dbh have successfully wrapped up a major project to digitalize container releases (Secure Release Orders) across all German North Sea ports via the German Ports IT platform. The two companies completed the entire project within a single year, all the way from the registration of the first participants through to connecting all involved stakeholders.

For the first time, the digital release process has established a uniform standard across the German North Sea ports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven. Participants are container terminals, shipping lines, and the freight forwarders and transport companies involved.

The seamless digital release process completely replaces the previously-used PIN-based procedure. Its foundation is the digital authorization for pick-up. This authorization is passed from one party to the next within the transport chain via a secure and modern role- and permission-based management system. All involved companies were integrated during a phased change process spanning six months, and the new mandatory procedure was established as the standard. This has already been proven by over 700,000 digital releases executed across all ports this year. 

Matthias Knicky, a member of the Executive Board at Kühne + Nagel, confirms: “The implementation of the Secure Release Order process ran smoothly and marks an important next step toward enhancing port security through efficient workflows. With the new system and the standardized technical solution, we are also laying the groundwork for a comprehensive and significantly improved digitalization of the entire process.”

In Hamburg and Bremen, the binding legal framework for the digital container release process is provided by an amendment to the Port Security Act, which took effect in October 2025. 

Through the cross-border cooperation of policymakers, the port industry, and the two software companies DAKOSY and dbh, an end-to-end digital process chain has been established that goes far beyond the requirements of the regulations. It encompasses the entire chain of operations, from the arrival of the container through to its pick-up at German North Sea ports.

By applying this uniform standard across all ports, the North Sea ports are taking a united stand against drug smuggling and, through the targeted use of digitalization, minimizing opportunities for fraud and data breaches. According to Jens Hansen, Chief Operating Officer at Hamburger Hafen und Logistik (HHLA), the positive effects are clear: “With these new standardized and clearly-defined processes, we are significantly enhancing the security of our terminal operations and our employees. This benefits not only us as operators, but all partners along the entire logistics chain.”

Marc Dietrich, Managing Director of EUROGATE Container Terminal Bremerhaven (CTB), affirms the successful implementation and integration of the system into existing processes: “We are very satisfied with the system, its integration into our existing operational processes, and the enhanced productivity of our operations.”

Milestones in the implementation of the Secure Release Order

April 14, 2024: Start of the registration phase

October 1, 2025: Amendment to the Hamburg and Bremen Port Security Act takes effect

October 1, 2025: Start of live operations with step-by-step onboarding of terminals, freight forwarders, importers, and carriers

March 23, 2026: Truck drivers become the final group of participants to be integrated into the mandatory process