Portbase has been asked by the Secure Chain to make the import container release process in the Port of Rotterdam safer and more reliable. An additional authorisation layer is being added in various services. Via this authorisation layer, the various parties in the logistics chain digitally pass on to each other the right to pick up a container. This creates a closed chain with authorised parties only.
Introduction to roles and services
Within the Secure Chain we have various roles and rights. In this article we refer to these. In the image below you can see the roles explained.
Portbase supports the Secure Chain within our existing services. This means the target groups continue to work in their trusted services.
The shipping line/shipping agent can create a release in ships' calls.
shippers/forwarders choose between Cargo Release Manager or Cargo Controller Import to participate in the Secure Chain.
inland operators receive a notification in Hinterland Container Notification (HCN) that the container can be picked up. The container is reserved for the nominated party.
In this article we go deeper into the supply chains and variants you may encounter within the Secure Chain. You can only start with the Secure Chain once you have informed all your chain partners; without the final link you cannot start with the secure releasing of containers.
Different roles and chains
The shipping agent can only release to shippers/forwarders who have linked themselves to the shipping agent using a shipping line customer code. How this linking works can be found in Register customer code for the Secure Chain. When goods are released directly to you, you are the "release-to-party" in the chain.
From the perspective of a shipper/forwarder, your organisation can fulfil different roles within different chains. This depends on the type of goods or obligations that each chain entails. Below is a schematic representation where you act as a release-to-party or as a forwarder in another role.
Visibility in Cargo Controller Import: each role can only see its principal and to whom the assignment has been passed on. In this way the chain remains transparent.
An inland operator receives the nomination from the shipper/forwarder. This enables the container to be pre-notified at the terminal. The inland operator can also pass the assignment on to another transport company. Then the inland operator becomes a 'forwarder' and the new inland operator is then the 'Inland Operator'.
Different chains
It is even possible to be active in different chains, with more or fewer chain partners. Below are the types of chains that Portbase can currently support. The shipping line determines the start moment at which you become active in the Secure Chain, but it is up to the release-to-party to prepare all chains and all chain parties for this.
The role of Inland Operator and cargo director can be passed on indefinitely. In the next step we will continue with activating the Secure Chain.
Identification and verification
In the previous steps we have guided you through the preparations for actually using the Secure Chain within Portbase. To receive a commercial release via the shipping line, you must first register a customer reference number.
To activate this, you need the rights of the main user or user administrator of your organisation; this is managed within your organisation’s IAM account.
The next steps are described in the article Register customer code for the Secure Chain.
Starting the Secure Chain
In consultation with the shipping line, you jointly determine from when releases will take place via the Secure Chain. Everything about this process can be found in the article Start with the Secure Chain in Cargo Controller Import
timeline - timing of steps
We would like to explain more about how the theory can occur in practice. The order in which steps can be taken is as follows:
With Cargo Controller Import we are transparent in the data of your cargo and therefore an extremely suitable application for the Secure Chain. Certain information is only accessible to parties that are actually allowed to view this information, by means of nomination and authorisation.
Do you want to start working with the Secure Chain and Cargo Controller Import right away? Then read the article Start with the Secure Chain in Cargo Controller Import.
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