Portbase always charts its course together with representatives from the harbour community — in fact, that is one of our principles. Our client panels, where a broad representation of Portbase clients and their industry organisations set priorities per client group, have an important role in this. This process also reflects input from the strategic client survey of all clients, the strategic objectives, and the available capacity of Portbase.
The client panel meeting first briefly discussed the current annual plan and last year’s highlights, which were:
- Customs legislation: Portbase worked with our community to realise a ‘soft landing’ for significant changes, such as the Automated Export System (AES), the Import Control System 2 (ICS2), and the Customs Transport Application (known by its Dutch acronym, DVA).
- Harbour-wide Space for Temporary Storage (RTO): Two container terminals were connected in mid-2024. This is expected to eventually produce more uniformity, lower costs, and better supervision.
- In 2024, various depots and terminals were connected to the Hinterland Container Notification (HCN) system.
- Data Sharing: Portbase has taken important steps regarding Data Management, Data Governance, and Technology so we can share data per market standards in an even better and more controlled way towards the future.
- North Sea Port (NSP): Portbase and NSP have concluded a cooperation agreement and have agreed on connections to all Harbour Master services.
- Risk loading is exempted via the Secure Chain, of which Portbase is part. Fraud with PIN codes is (almost) non-existent. The roll-out is progressing well.
In total, there are four client panels: 1) shipping lines, ship brokers and agents, 2) terminals and depots, 3) inland operators, and 4) forwarders and shippers. Below is an overview of our discussions:
Shipping lines, ship brokers and agents
Top priorities, such as the impact of (European) Customs legislation and the Secure Chain have been taken up. Portbase has taken the lead in this and listened to the needs of the harbour community. Portbase is also focussing on finalising and implementing the RTO administration. As a result, several requests for 2024 have been pushed to 2025 or later.
Discussions about the obligation to arrive at a European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) were positive and valued by the client panel members. This topic has been a focus of attention and research, particularly at head offices.
The client panel members agreed to the Roadmap 2025, and they understand the frameworks and emphasis that Portbase adds to this.
Terminals and depots
The terminals indicate they feel increasingly dependent on the services offered by Portbase. Portbase recognises this responsibility, as the impact of services unexpectedly going down would be enormous. Along with the representatives of the terminals and depots, Portbase quickly concluded that it must focus on the resilience and stability of our services.
The client panel members feel that a lot is going on now — regarding laws and regulations as well as large programmes and projects such as the Secure Chain and the Container Tracking System (CTS) en RTO.
The client panel advises focusing on the further roll-out of the harbour-wide RTO, the resilience and safety of Portbase services, and the Sea-going vessel notification to terminals.
Regarding a resilient harbour, the Secure Chain is already in place and functioning. Terminals would like to see additional measures, such as a Movement Reference Number (MRN) validation in the Import Documentation Notification (MID) and the Export Documentation Notification (MED).
Inland operators
The atmosphere in the Inland Operators client panel was good and open. Agreement has been reached about the proposed Roadmap 2025 in terms of projects and sequence.
For inland operators, data sharing (core data needed for optimal transport scheduling) between logistics companies remains an important topic. Fragmented visions, revenue models and imposed obligations are very difficult to accept and do not encourage a smart harbour. Strategic consultation and joint direction among the various stakeholders is seen as a necessity.
Members have also requested attention for a better and smoother operation of the Secure Chain because, in practice, settlement does not always occur without issues. And that leads to undesirable manual actions by the parties involved.
That’s why Roadmap 2025 includes Secure Chain focus on the Hinterland — but also on Port Alert, Rail Connected, Nextlogic and the connection of terminals and depots to the HCN. A long-term plan for better connection of the Hinterland by sharing federative data, among other things, is also in place.
Forwarders and shippers
One of the key topics in the Forwarders/Shippers client panel is the implementation of the Secure Chain. In general, the Secure Chain is operating fine, but now and then there is a container that requires more attention. The aim is to have uniform working methods, and sharing data safely is an essential part of that.
In conclusion, the client panel noted their dependency on Portbase. Portbase is certainly conscious of this dependency. That’s why our emphasis for 2025 is on resilience.
