Start with Hinterland Container Notification Rail for traction suppliers

In this article, we explain in a few short steps how to use the Hinterland Container Notification Rail service.​

Navigating to the service​

You can start HCN Rail as follows:​

1. Go to iamconnected.eu​
2. Click Login and follow the steps to sign in​
3. After logging in, click on the PCS tile
4. In My services under the Rail section, select the Hinterland Container Notification service​

Once you have successfully logged in, you can use the shortcut hcn.pcs.portbase.com.​

Dashboard Rotations

On the Rotations dashboard you have 24/7 real-time insight into the train rotations and terminal visits registered by the customer. At the top are the scheduled rotations that have not yet started. Below that are the rotations in operation, the completed ones, and finally the cancelled rotations.

Train detail overview​

• Click on the reis, visit or handlings for more information​
• You can use the Handlings tab to view containers for the visit

Train composition functionality

Below you can read which steps you need to follow to download the composition of the train after the operation has been completed by the terminal. After the operation at the terminal has been completed, the buttons Download train composition (after operations) and Download realised train composition will appear. If these buttons do not become visible after the visit is completed, please contact the terminal and ask if they can manually complete the visit in the HCN Rail web screens. Use the contact details below for this.

• APMII: mvii.datacenter@apmterminals.com 
• RWG: operations@rwg.nl 

Download train composition (after operations)

This file shows the planned outbound train composition, including any deviations in the remarks. In the Operational Remarks (Slot) and Operational Remarks (Wagon) columns, Planned load/discharge did not occur) or Unplanned load/discharge occurred indicate whether there have been deviations from the plan at slot/wagon level. The slot position is not always provided by the terminal in the discharge/load confirmation. If this is the case, the unplanned loads/discharges are listed in the Operational Remarks (Wagon) column, where they are by default shown at slot position 1 on the wagon.

Download realised train composition

This file shows the actual train composition after the operation has been completed by the terminal. Here too, if no slot position is reported by the terminal, the container is by default listed at slot position 1 of the wagon on which the container is loaded.

Status of the visit

On the left of the screen, for each visit, the status of the visit is shown. 

• The aeroplane icon indicates that the request has been sent. 
• A green check mark means that the visit has been accepted. 
• A red cross indicates that the terminal has rejected the visit. 

The visit can be amended and resubmitted. In the case of a rejected visit, the terminal will include a remark. 

In the screen you can also see how the requested visit relates to the slots. In the overview below:   

• ECT Delta visit has been registered and matches the slot​
• APMIITEST visit has a different ETD compared to the slot​
• RWG visit has a different number of discharge compared to the slot​
• The EUROMAX visit is an ad hoc visit, in other words, it does not have a slot​

Rotation and visit level

Rotation level​

• At rotation level, the number of containers to discharge and/or load is shown
• If there are containers that require attention, a red triangle with an exclamation mark and the number of containers will appear

You can track the progress in the following ways:

• For rotations that are Expected: number pre-notified by operator / number agreed in slot​
• For rotations that are In operation: number loaded (discharged) / number pre-notified

Visit level​

• By clicking on the visit, the terminal visits within the rotation are shown​
• At visit level too, the number of containers to discharge and/or load is shown. The red triangle with exclamation mark indicates which containers require attention. See the explanation at rotation level for progress
• When you open the visit, by default the containers that require attention are shown at the top of the list​

Container status​

The following statuses are displayed for each container (green = OK, red = action required)

 Bringing container​

• Padlock icon  = blockage​
• Document icon = customs document known at the terminal​
• Clock icon = cargo opening started at the terminal​
• Key icon = acceptance reference known at the terminal

​ 

Collecting container​

• Padlock icon  = blockage​
• Document icon = customs document known at the terminal​
• Square with check mark = container available at the terminal​
• Euro icon = commercial release known at the terminal

Railwise

At the request of the Rail Connected programme, Portbase has developed a dashboard – called RailWise – that provides insight into the efficiency, capacity and reliability of rail freight transport (containers only). These insights are based on data from HCN Rail and are therefore only available to terminals connected to this service.

How do I get access to RailWise?

In 2025, agreements have been made with the participating parties regarding the use of the dashboard. If you are not yet using the dashboard but would like to for the coming year, please let us know before 16 October by contacting our Sales department.

How do I navigate to RailWise?

You can navigate to the dashboard by clicking on the RailWise tab at the top of the screen in HCN Rail. The dashboard is available on weekdays from 8am to 6pm.

Which metrics does RailWise show?

The dashboard consists of several tabs with different metrics, see below. 

3.1 Tab KPI’s

This tab shows the metrics below. These metrics are based on the underlying data of the graphs on the other tabs. Your KPI’s shows the metrics based on your own data and Market KPI’s shows the market average for the metrics.

See the example below. The screenshot was taken in week 47. The large numbers show the values for the past week (week 46). The smaller values below show the figures for the previous week (week 45). In the background you see a grey graph showing the development of these metrics over the past period.

Example graph number of voyage omits.

1. Number of voyage omits
2. Average number of handlings per hour
3. Average operation time
4. Average call size
5. Average adjusted call size

3.2 Tab Turnaround port

The metrics on the Turnaround port tab provide insight into how many rotations are changed/cancelled after the planning is finalised in the Spoorboekje in HCN (and not at ProRail!) on Thursday at 23:59.

1. Percentage of cancelled and changed voyages per week market average
2. Number of cancelled and changed voyages per week

3.3 Tab Terminal

The metrics on the Terminal tab provide insight into how efficiently and predictably the operational handling at the terminal is carried out.

1. Operation time: percentage of visits with deviation (proforma vs actual) incl. market average
2. Terminal efficiency: average handlings per hour incl. market average

3.4 Tab Call size

The metrics on the Call size tab provide insight into deviations in the call size.

1. Call size: proforma vs replanned vs actual number of equipment
2. Number of calls with deviation proforma vs actual
3. Number of calls with deviation proforma vs replanned

3.5 Tab definitions 

This tab contains definitions and explanations of the metrics, KPIs and terms used in the dashboard. Consult this tab to interpret the figures correctly.

How can I filter the metrics?

The filter options allow you to search your data in a targeted way. It is possible to apply the filters below within the dashboard. The filters may differ per tab.

1. ETA: filter your journeys and visits by a specific time period.
2. Rail operator: this filter is only relevant for traction suppliers and terminals and allows them to specifically search for the journeys and visits of one or more particular rail operators. As a traction supplier/terminal, you do not see all journeys and visits of a rail operator, but only the journeys and visits that you have operated for that rail operator / at your terminal.
3. Traction supplier: this filter is only relevant for rail operators and terminals and allows them to specifically search for the journeys and visits of one or more particular traction suppliers. As a rail operator/terminal, you do not see all journeys and visits of a traction supplier, but only the journeys and visits that have been operated by that traction supplier for you / at your terminal.
4. Terminal: filter your visits by one or more terminal(s). As a rail operator/traction supplier, you do not see all journeys and visits at a terminal, but only your own visits at that terminal.
5. Shuttle name
6. Loading voyage number
7. Discharge voyage number
8. Deviation: filter by positive/negative deviations.

Which data can I view?

Throughout the dashboard, each organisation can only see its own data and, for some metrics, also the market average. The Port of Rotterdam Authority does have access to your data, provided you have given your consent. The Port of Rotterdam Authority will contact you separately about this. If you have any questions about this, you can contact the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

Email notification​

Under Configuration, and then Application preferences you can enter an email address for status changes of visits.​