In the video we explain step by step how you can work in Cargo Release Manager. Below the video, the topics and steps to follow are written out for reference.
Also available in Dutch.
Cargo Release Manager provides an overview that allows you to track the current status of your cargo within the Secure Chain. In this article, we guide you through how the Secure Chain works within the service.
Overview screen in the service
In the overview, follow the current status of your cargo within the Secure Chain. This may concern bulk cargo, container cargo or trailer cargo that has been discharged or still needs to be discharged at the terminal. Below is an example of what this overview may look like.
The cargo overview offers various filtering and search options, making it easy to find the B/Ls that are relevant to you. Further on in the article we explain how you can use this to monitor your cargo. To use Cargo Controller Import, you first need to know more about the roles within the Secure Chain.
Roles within the Secure Chain
Within the Secure Chain, we distinguish various roles and rights. These are described in the image below.
Portbase supports the Secure Chain within our existing services. In this article, we focus on the two middle roles: Release-to Party and forwarders (term: cargo directors).
Below is a schematic representation showing that, as a Release-to Party or as a forwarder, you act in a different role.
Visibility: Each role can only see its principal and to whom the assignment has been passed on. This keeps the chain transparent.
Different chains
As an organisation, it is possible to fulfil different roles within the Secure Chain. This may depend on the type of goods or the obligations each chain entails. The image below shows examples of different types of chains.
The carrier determines the start moment at which you become active in the Secure Chain. It is up to the Release-to Party to prepare all chains and all chain parties for this.
Please note! The role of cargo director and inland operator can be passed on indefinitely within a Secure Chain.
Receiving a commercial release – register customer code
If your organisation is the recipient of the commercial release via the carrier, you must first register your customer code. The steps are explained in the article Register customer code for the Secure Chain. Without this registration, you cannot start safely releasing containers.
If you are not a recipient of the commercial release, you can skip this step and continue to the next step.
Tracking cargo via the web screens
In Cargo Release Manager you can monitor your cargo based on two main indicators for the two phases of the Secure Chain process. The article Tracking cargo in Cargo Release Manager provides more explanation.
Monitoring options (via filters, email notifications and the timeline)
You want to quickly create an overview of which cargo has or has not been activated within the Secure Chain. We have made a number of options available for this.
Filters
The filter options help you quickly clarify which status your cargo is in and to manage exceptions. The following filter options are available:
- Arrival date
- vessel
- terminal
- inland operator
Email notifications
For each commercial release or authorisation, you can set up an email notification. In the article Email notifications for receiving releases in Cargo Release Manager you can read how to set up these notifications.
Timeline
In the B/L timeline you can view all events. You can also see, at user level, who performed the action.
Secure Chain actions
After set up and monitoring the status of your cargo, your organisation must also carry out Secure Chain actions.
As the recipient of the release, you have the role Release-to Party (and therefore also receive the rights of cargo director). You can also be authorised by third parties as a cargo director. In the overview in Cargo Release Manager you can see your role within the Secure Chain per container. To do so, click Secure Chain actions and you will see the pop-up below.
On the left-hand side you always see 3 lines:
- The party in the chain that assigned the release to your organisation
- The role your organisation currently has in the Secure Chain
- The party to whom your organisation has passed on the release, or whether you still need to perform that action
On the right-hand side, the actions are shown that match the role your organisation has at that moment. Per container, that role may differ, and so will the available options:
- Pass on to another cargo director
- Nominate an inland operator
- withdraw the role of a chain partner
Reactive versus proactive
You can only nominate an inland operator once the commercial release has been sent. This is sent by the carrier or by a chain partner. This is the difference between Cargo Controller Import and Cargo Release Manager. In Cargo Controller you can track a B/L earlier and prepare the chain before the commercial release has been sent to your organisation.
You can read more about the differences in the article Overview and differences Cargo Controller Import & Cargo Release Manager.
Nominate Inland Operator
After you click the action Nominate an inland operator, you will see the screen below. Enter the name of your inland operator here; it will be auto-completed. We also display the EAN number and the place of business of the inland operator. Below you can see an example. If you want to know more about this process, read the article Nominate inland operator and/or authorise cargo director in the Secure Chain.
Would you like to work with a list of fixed partners? Then read the article Pass on commercial release to (fixed) partners in the Secure Chain.
Is your inland operator not in the list? Then read the article Restrict Inland Operator list to fixed inland operators within the Secure Chain
Assign forwarder / cargo director
After you click the action assign the next cargo director, you will see the screen below. Enter your partner’s organisation name here; it will be auto-completed. We also display the Chamber of Commerce number and the place of business of this party. Below you can see an example. If you want to know more about this process, read the article Nominate inland operator and/or authorise cargo director in the Secure Chain.
Would you like to work with a list of fixed partners? Then read the article Pass on commercial release to (fixed) partners in the Secure Chain.
Is your partner not in the list? Then read the article I cannot select my logistics partner within the Secure Chain.
Reversing Secure Chain actions
Any action your organisation has initiated in the chain can be undone. This is possible as long as the container has not yet been collected at the terminal. The article Withdraw commercial release within the Secure Chain explains more.
Secure Chain timeline & timing of actions
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