Port security: onboarding the digital release process

The digitalization of the release process can significantly contribute to making German sea ports safer and protecting them from criminal activities. This was the key finding of the recent Port Security Conference in Hamburg with security authorities and port industry representatives. The concluding statement reads: "The common goal is a secure procedure for container release through encrypted, traceable, and clearly defined data access."

These more stringent requirements can be fulfilled by further development of the German Ports platform, which has been active since 2021 and is operated in all locations by the Port Community Systems DAKOSY in Hamburg and dbh in Bremen. "We are in intensive discussions with all parties involved in the release process about the next steps of introduction," reports DAKOSY project leader Sven Reimers. He is particularly pleased to have had the terminals in the German sea ports of Hamburg, Bremen/Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven on board with their cooperation since November. The operators EUROGATE, HHLA, and North Sea Terminal Bremerhaven (NTB) have unanimously agreed to establish a digital process across all locations and roll it out via German Ports.

The project partners are also exchanging viewpoints and knowledge with other stakeholders. Reimers provides insight: "At the same time as we are having discussions with terminal representatives, we have also been presenting the secure digital release solution to shipping companies and are currently working to optimally integrate it into the process. In the first quarter of 2024, we will have discussions with additional stakeholders to define their needs for successful participation."

In addition to having a technically secure solution, the key to successful implementation is the involvement of all stakeholders. German Ports aims to digitalize all process areas relevant to the release procedure. This includes the Carriers & Merchant Haulage module, as well as modules for assignment declarations, secure releases, and depot changes.