Shipper
Receive your releases digitally and securely
As a customer of the shipping line/ship agent, you will now receive the release – meaning the right to collect your import container – securely and digitally. This takes place via the Port Community System of Portbase. You will no longer receive an email with a PIN code. Read more about the necessary preparations below. This applies whether you, as the shipper, handle the cargo yourself or have it handled by a freight forwarder or logistics service provider.
What you need to do beforehand
Before you can use the Secure Chain as a shipper, you need to complete the following steps:
1. Sign up for the Portbase service Cargo Controller Import or Cargo Release Manager
In order to digitally receive the release for your import container, you need the service Cargo Controller Import (paid, with more expansive options) or the basic service Cargo Release Manager (free) of Portbase. Using the service of your choice, you transfer the release to collect a container to the subsequent link. This is either your inland operator or the forwarder/logistics service provider who handles the cargo for you.
If you want to make use of a system interface, then Cargo Controller Import is the right solution. Read more about realising the required API interfaces here. On top of the use of the Secure Chain, Cargo Controller Import offers you numerous valuable additional features.
2. Inform your chain partners
Your chain partners also need to prepare themselves for the Secure Chain:
- Do you handle the cargo yourself? Then you need to inform your inland operator (road, rail or barge) that your cargo wille be handled via the Secure Chain. All inland operators are already familiar with Portbase. They will automatically receive the release to collect a container as transferred by you in the service Hinterland Container Notification.
- Does a forwarder/logistics service provider handle the cargo on your behalf? To receive the release to collect a container from you and to transfer this, this party must also sign up for the Portbase service Cargo Controller Import or Cargo Release Manager. In turn, the forwarder/logistics service provider will inform the inland operator (road, rail or barge).
3. Activate the Secure Chain.
When you and your chain are ready for the Secure Chain, notify the shipping line/ship agent of this. You do this in Cargo Controller Import or Cargo Release Manager. Here, you enter the customer code that was previously provided to you by the shipping line/ship agent. From that moment on, the shipping line/ship agent will start to route your import containers via the Secure Chain using the new, secure approach.
The benefits at a glance
Benefits for the shipper
A reliable logistics chain that solely comprises authorised parties
Safe working environment for employees: no more PIN codes
A uniform and much more secure release and collection process
Optimal insight into the status and planning of import containers
Structural, consistently secure and trusted chain collaboration
Smart reuse of data by authorised parties
Important to know
You will continue to receive all information from the shipping line/ship agent about such matters as demurrage & detention, the return address for empty containers, the return reference and the terms & conditions in the usual way, but without the PIN code.
Do you book through multiple shipping lines/ship agents? Time of connection to the Secure Chain varies. Each shipping line/ship agent will separately notify you about the start of the Secure Chain for your import containers.