Portbase is the spider in the web for all logistical information in the ports of and . Companies and authorities in both ports can exchange information even more easily and more efficiently via one joint Port Community System, so that everyone’s competitive position is strengthened. Portbase is neutral, reliable, transparent and ambitious.

Portbase is necessary in order to strengthen the international competitive position of Dutch ports.

This allows both ports’ clients to rely on a wider range of services. In addition, it allows for the efficient use of resources and it represents an intermediate step to the creation of a national Port Community System.

No, Portbase is a port-transcending, non-profit organisation. The aim is to keep the costs to participants as low as possible. Everyone should be able to participate. Portbase is by and for the port community.

Portbase does not have a monopoly. Companies are free to organise their information exchange themselves, although it is compulsory in a number of cases to use the Port Community System as a kind of post box for sending electronic messages to the authorities.

As this concerns services offered throughout the port and often involves confidential information, this can only be handled by an organisation with wide support that is both neutral and separate from the parties involved.

A Port Community System forms part of port infrastructure and cannot be provided by a commercial party.

This is indeed the aim. A national Port Community System is good both for service provision to the business community in the Netherlands and abroad, and for the Netherlands’ competitive position in general.

Logistic chains do not stop at the border. International information exchange is increasingly becoming both a matter of added value and of necessity. It is therefore logical that co-operation should take place between the port community systems of the ports in various European countries in future, and Portbase would like to play a key role in this in future.