Hinterland carriers and Portbase will jointly work on improvements, solutions and innovations in the years ahead. Our aim is smarter and more efficient hinterland container transport. All these efforts converge in the service Hinterland Container Notification (HCN), via the program Data Fuel. This programme was set up with several port parties and is given substance in consultation with the port community.
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Portbase’s export services will undergo a major upgrade. After intensive preparation, Cargo Declaration Export 2.0 is currently being introduced for the submission of outgoing customs manifests. Shipping companies, shipbrokers and ferry operators are in the phased process of transferring to this renewed service, which combines modern technology with greater ease of use and some practical improvements requested by participants.
“This is just the beginning,” says Yvette Eveleens, product owner of Portbase’s export services. “We are currently investigating whether the Cargo Declaration Export can be made part of Vessel Visit. For users, everything needed to handle a ship’s visit to one of the Dutch ports will then come together even more.”
The next step in the expansion of export services will be the introduction in 2022 of Cargo Controller Export. Eveleens: “This requires a restructure of the current Track & Trace Export. Many forwarders use the service to track their outgoing cargo. Through Cargo Controller Export we can facilitate this even better. After that, the ambition is to gradually add new services.”
At the request of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Nextlogic, Portbase will give priority to the implementation of Nextlogic’s integral planning in the coming months. As a result, the order of completing parts of the hinterland programme Data Fuel will be adjusted. For this reason, hinterland carriers can continue to use the Portbase service Hinterland Container Notification (HCN) Road, Rail and Barge free of charge until 1 July 2022. Read more →
The UK government has recently changed the timeline for the introduction of additional customs rules due to Brexit. This partial postponement does not mean a cancellation. On January 1, 2022, the first new customs requirements will take effect. These have implications for all types of cargo imported into the UK. Additional rules for veterinary cargo in particular will follow as of 1 July 2022.
All upcoming measures at the UK border are conveniently listed on the website Get Ready for Brexit. The website also offers a extensive knowledge bank for answers to the many questions the market has about transport to and from the United Kingdom. Get Ready for Brexit is a joint initiative of Deltalinqs, evofenedex, Fenex, Port of Rotterdam Authority, TLN and Portbase for optimal information to the entire logistics chain and the consequences of Brexit for transport through the Dutch ports. The aim is that in the new Brexit reality, cargo will move smoothly to and from the UK every day via ferry and container terminals.
Waalhaven Botlek Terminal (WBT) recently became the first very first inland terminal connected to the Portbase service Notification Import Documentation. Three locations of United Waalhaven Terminals (UWT) are the first empty depot that will be launched shortly in Hinterland Container Notification Barge. WBT and UWT are both part of the Waalhaven Group. Commercial manager Willem Beskers explains why the company wants to lead the way in digital innovation.
“Our participation in Portbase is mainly driven from daily practice. MCA Barge gives barge operators much better insights into the status of containers at UWT. In addition, our participation in MCA Barge has to do with the upcoming integrated planning of inland navigation via Nextlogic. We have been involved from the start. We want to be on the front and see how integrated planning works out for us.”
The participation of WBT as first inland terminal in Notification Import Documentation is clearly practice driven. “Wherever possible, WBT wants to reduce noise. By allowing clients to pre-notify customs documents digitally via Portbase, we can further structure administrative processes and speed up logistics. It really saves time if the correct documents are in the system when the driver arrives.”
The companies within the Waalhaven Group are taking digitisation a step further. “Ultimately, we want to move towards terminals with automatic gates where everything is pre-notified, office functions are separate from the terminal and the terminal is purely the place where the operation takes place. On the way to such system, we would like to see a solution for WBT, for example, for the registration of export documentation. As far as we are concerned, that is the next route for Portbase to take.”
From 1 January 2022, several stricter customs requirements from the British government will apply to ferry or short sea traffic to the UK. Prevent cargo from standing still at the British border or even in the Dutch port. This Get Ready for Brexit newsletter explains how to prepare.
A global critical vulnerability in log4j, a basic ingredient of widely used software, was discovered this weekend. Among other things, the vulnerability makes it possible to install ransomware on systems. Portbase has reviewed its own processes on this and has taken appropriate measures. We are monitoring the situation and are closely monitoring the coverage.
Dutch customs will be introducing the Container Release Notice step by step from 4 October 2021. The first stage of the Container Release Notice introduction will begin on 4 October. This means that from then on, customs will be performing stricter checks to ensure the correct completion of import declarations for goods brought in by sea that are in temporary storage. Notifying parties in all port sectors need to properly prepare for this because the first stage of the Container Release Notice applies to containers, trailers, general cargo and bulk cargo alike.
Be fully prepared for the Container Release Message
Cargo Controller gives you 24/7 access to the correct status information and goods information for submitting your declarations correctly and on time. You can track all your containers and trailers arriving in Dutch ports. You can see the status of ship arrivals (ATA) and the moment when cargo is discharged in real time. In addition, Cargo Controller informs you about customs inspections (scans or physical checks) and you can see virtually all the details of the Bill of Lading (B/L), including the weight.
Cargo Controller helps you optimise your declaration process:
Read more about the Container Release Message here.
*Reminder for phasing out old EDI system connection
In April 2021 you were migrated from Cargo Information to Cargo Controller. If you were using the EDI system link with Cargo Information, you were able to continue working as usual. Since the launch of Cargo Controller, we have been offering a new API system link; a new technology that is ready for the future. On 11 February 2021, we announced that support for the legacy EDI system link will end on 31 March 2022. Your company (or your software vendor) needs to replace the system link before then.
We recommend that you switch to the API system link well ahead of time. That way, you will not only be prepared for new functionalities, you will also benefit from lower transaction charges (EDI €0.55 per transaction, API €0.36 per transaction). Naturally we are here to support you in migrating to the new system link. Read more about the new API system link here.
More information
See the Cargo Controller support page for instructional materials. If you have any questions, please contact Peter Vink, Sales Manager. You can reach him on +31(0)88 625 25 34 or at sales@portbase.com.
In this newsletter we tell about an ambitious hinterland programme, the consequences of the postponement of the British customs rules, how Cargo Controller can help in the port, our platform solutions, the importance of ‘safely data sharing together’, an introduction to our digi-commissioner Dione de Jong-Elsinga and more…
The introduction of Platform Solutions, means that Portbase adds a new dimension to its service provision via the Port Community System (PCS). CEO Iwan van der Wolf: “In addition to our existing support for the core processes of the ports, companies and governments can now create their own communities within PCS in a simple and secure manner. In a very user-friendly way they can share additional data with new target groups or receive such data. Platform Solutions makes doing more with data possible for everyone in the logistics chain.”
Over the past twenty years, Portbase has developed PCS, and now it is the key information exchange system for Dutch port logistics chains. The addition of Platform Solutions is another big step forward. Van der Wolf: “Technological developments are making it easier to share data and develop new applications. Parties have an increasing need for data. Data platforms are shooting up. We have followed that trend. Instead of each separate port company having to invest, we at Portbase provide these logistics for the whole community. It is much more efficient. Our community consists of more than 5000 companies with 20.000 users bundling a lot of data. We firmly believe that sharing more data will make port logistics chains faster, more efficient, better and greener. We want to help our ports be the smartest in Europe.”
Building on proven infrastructure
Van der Wolf explains how the new Platform Solutions fits into PCS. “The bottom layer of our PCS is the infrastructure with generic components including data storage and data conversion, means for authorization and authentication, security, agreements on standards to be used (iShare), etc. On top of this infrastructure, we have built ‘Port Solutions’ over the past twenty years. These are the services that everyone knows Portbase for, services that support all the core processes in port logistics. Right next to these Port Solutions we have now positioned Platform Solutions. Through the Portbase infrastructure, companies and government bodies can develop their own (data) services and create communities for sharing extra data. This will be data that is valuable to specific target groups.”
Access to the large Portbase community
An important advantage for companies and governments that use Platform Solutions is access to the large Portbase community. Van der Wolf: “Through Platform Solutions, a company or government body can simply ask specific community members for permission to reuse their PCS data for smart new solutions. Once agreed, this can be quickly effected. It is a matter of flipping a switch. No one needs to invest in separate connections. Please note! All data in PCS is the property of the members. The barriers to reuse will be lowered, but permission is always required; security must be guaranteed. Conversely, a data provider can also gain direct access to the Portbase community through Platform Solutions in order to promote its services. After all, the ultimate goal is to make everyone’s work smarter, more efficient, more secure, more sustainable and/or cheaper.”
Marketplace
To further encourage data sharing, Portbase will make a separate Marketplace within PCS. Van der Wolf: “Here the data services for the core processes from Port Solutions are available. Also, from the Platform Solutions other providers can ask attention for their own data. This marketplace, which will become available in the course of 2022, is an important part of the added value we will offer parties. The large size of our community provides immediate scale.”
From large to small, your own community
Van der Wolf emphasizes that everyone, from large to small, can start their own community through the Platform Solutions and share data. “Portbase will provide the environment and the basic components and will take care of security, etc. It is up to the parties themselves to then set up that environment and shape it.”
“The introduction of Platform Solutions is to take data sharing in logistics to the next level,” Van der Wolf concludes. “In this new ecosystem we will have to discover a lot together. The aim is not to replace Port Solutions but strengthen existing services. I am convinced of the added value of the Platform Solutions for the community to do more with data and to innovate. Portbase will put a lot of energy into accelerating the sharing of data in logistics via this new route. Anyone is welcome to start using our Platform Solutions!”
Want to know more about secure data sharing?
The entrance to the parking garage is located at the Wijnstraat (back of our office building). The easiest way is to enter the Zwartehondstraat when you come from the Blaak and then take the first street on the left (Wijnstraat). After 50 meters you will see the entrance to the parking garage on your left.From the parking garage you can reach the central hall through the first parking floor. You can register at the reception in this central hall. If the parking garage is full, you can park (paid) in the parking garage ‘the Markthal’.
