5 focal points
Teaming up for hinterland efficiency
In consultation with you, we are working on improvements, solutions and innovations for hinterland transport. For future-proof container transport by road, water and rail. By sharing information with each other digitally, the Dutch port gets smarter.
Adding value through 5 focal points
All additions to the service HCN coming from wishes have to fulfil 1 or more of the 5 focal points. These points can guarantee success within the entire chain.
Click on the icons to read what each focal point means for the program.
| Feature | 5 focal points | Description | Added value | Road | Barge | Rail | Project phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-board operator option | 
| On-board operators can book/pre-register containers on a barge visit by another operator. The operator on board remains the ‘owner’ of these containers and only sees his own containers on the barge of the main operator | It becomes easier to bundle loads through cooperation between operators. This does not require setting up and maintaining bilateral links. The administration and communication is provided by MCA. This feature helps to reduce congestion, minimize call sizes and set up fixed windows | 
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available | 
|
| HCN web overview focus on exception management |
| Handlings where action is required will be shown in the front overview | Less information on screen where no action is required |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Status requests | 
| Request container status info, without ETA appointment | Before ordering transport, already get necessary information and status on containers, less roaming on (terminal and carrier) internet sites required |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Combining containers per TAR/slot |
| Grouping of handlings per TAR | Clear overview by grouping (TAR) truck visits |
Yes, available | 
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Excel upload pre-notifications |
| Bulk upload multiple containers and pre-notify directly | Time saver by uploading multiple handlings in one go, avoiding re-occuring manual handlings |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Copy pre-notification |
| Create a new notification by copying an existing pre-notifaction | Time saver by uploading multiple handlings in one go, avoiding re-occuring manual handlings |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Email notifications |
| Email trigger available if a pre-notification or visit is (not-)accepted, updated, cancelled or rejected | Get alerted if situations change on pre-notification or visit level. |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Email container status from HCN to external party |
| Send email with container status directly from HCN | Time saver by sending containerstatus updates to collegues, customers etc. No need to cut and paste HCN screenshots anymore |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available | 
|
| Container update support for terminals that do not allow updates |
| Since we work with direct debit HCN can process updates from carriers and translate them into a cancel and a new pre-message that the terminal can process. Only ECT and Euromax cannot yet process Updates for HCN Road. | Time saver for web users. Reduction of costs and complexity for the in-house software systems of operators by centralising this feature in HCN |
Yes, available* |
Yes, available* |
Yes, available* |
|
| Improved grouping of containers for TAR/slot |
| Allows planners to easily save/pin containers across multiple search pages and selections | Time saver for road operators that work and plan containers from the HCN Road screens |
Yes, available |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Terminal alerting & notifications (soft errors) |
| Terminals can send extra notifications and alerts to operators in addition to existing container statuses. Example: this container is meant for another quay causing ITT. *Used by ECT | Extra information that will help optimize planning for the operators, forwarders and shippers | 
Yes, but no coverage |
Yes, available* |
Yes, but no coverage |
|
| Cargo Opening Time (COT) |
| Information field for Cargo Closing Time, stating the first date and time when the container can be delivered to the terminal. ECT supports Barge and is currently piloting RoadRWG expected Q4 2023APM2 is currently in pilot | Time saver, get necessary information on container, less roaming on (terminal and carrier) internet sites required |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
|
| Cargo Closing Time (CCT) |
| Information field for Cargo Closing Time, stating the latest date and time when the container needs to be in the terminal. ECT supports Barge and is currently piloting RoadRWG expected Q4 2023APM2 is currently in pilot | Time saver, get necessary information on container, less roaming on (terminal and carrier) internet sites required |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
|
| Commercial window (release expiration) |
| Information field for Commercial Release Window stating the beginning and end date and time in which the container can be picked up at the terminal. ECT supports barge and is currently piloting RoadRWG expected Q4 2023APM2 has approval, planning pending | Time saver, get necessary information on container, less roaming on (terminal and carrier) internet sites required |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
|
| Released for modality |
| Indicates what modality the container is released for. *ECT supports this for HCN Barge |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no coverage |
| |
| Estimated Time of Arrival of import container |
| Information field stating the estimated date and time when the container will be discharged from the ship and available on the terminal *ECT supports this for the truck MyTerminal premium account | Time saver, get necessary information on container, less roaming on (terminal and carrier) internet sites required |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage |
Yes, but no fully coverage |
|
| Vessel information ETA/ETD |
| Information fields for vessel name, IMO code, voyage number, estimated time of arrival and departure.*ECT does this for Nextlogic barge operators and Myterminal Premium RoadIntermediate solution RWG is liveIntermediate solution RWG permission to transfer vessel information based on vessel name/IMO to share ETA and ETD from the Vessel Notification service with hauliersAPM2 is liveETA/ETD information from shipping agents is live for 7 shipping companies | Time saver, get necessary information on container, less roaming on (terminal and carrier) internet sites required |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
|
| Block group |
| The stack module at the terminal where the container is present or needs to be delivered. RWG is expected in 2023. | Allows planning of efficient truck visits + barometers. For rail it could also be used to optimize the terminal operation (only rail terminals that are aligned with the stack) |
Yes, but no coverage* | 
N/A |
Yes, but no coverage* |
|
| Size type |
| The size type is registered in the systems of the terminal.* ECT supports barge and is currently piloting RoadRWG expected 2023APM2 has approval and planning pending | Time saver for correcting mismatches with import containers |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
Yes, but no fully coverage* |
|
| ECT Remote Check-In |
| Fast lane ticket, drivers go straight to terminal gate without passing truck counter at ECT building 5. Live since September 2022. ECT is working towards obligation. | Time saver, truckdrivers go directly to the terminal gate and avoid truck-desk at ECT building 5 |
Yes, available |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| HCN Road Light |
| When HCN Road is down/offline a backup service should be available | Minimize idle time equipment in the port. New version allows linking multiple containers to 1 TAR (slot) | 
Expected, scheduled in 2025. The old backup Road is still available. |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Extended container info |
| Additional container information for better transport planning and handling. Examples: humidity, generator, door open or not, reefer temperature settings, OOG container * Terminals and operators should provide informationECT provides the information for HCN Barge and Road | Time saver, get necessary information on container, less roaming on (terminal and carrier) internet sites required |
Yes, available* |
Yes, available* |
Yes, available* |
|
| Extended sorting and filtering |
| Be able to sort and filter on pre-notifications statusses | Less information on screen where no action is required |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Cargo Tracking System – Intra terminal transfer module |
| Module that handles carrier container transfer orders between terminals. Covers both logistics and customs processes | 
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation | 
| |
| Business Inteligence Solutions |
| Reporting tools in HCN | Be able to get progress information on t.b.n. KPI’s |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
|
| Synchromodal set up HCN |
| Be able to easily move pre-notifications between transport modalities road, barge and rail | Time saver, moving pre-notifications between transport modalities easily |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
|
| Container and booking validator |
| Check pre-notification information, such as carrier, number, sizetype, TARE weight etc, against other data sources, in order to limit mistakes and improve pre-notification correctness | Time saver, less error prone during issueing pre-notifications |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
|
| Empties – Loading and discharging |
| Allow prenotifications without container numbers for empties * ECT in pilotRWG expected, planning unknownAPM2 has approval, planning pending | Automatically fill in container numbers for empties that are loaded or discharged |
Yes, available* |
Yes, available* |
Yes, available* |
|
| Empties – Size type matching on group level |
| Allow load / dicharge confirmation matching based on the archetype sizetype that the container belongs to | Increase the number of matches that are loaded / dicharged so that container numbers can be automatically filled in |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Empties – Avantida integration |
| Datasharing with Avantida network | Facilitate a more seamless process for re-use and return of empties (desired return location) |
Under investigation |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Nextlogic – HCN integration with integral planning |
| Integral planning of barges within the port of Rotterdam | Optimize usage of operator and terminals equipment and resources, reduction of port congestion |
N/A |
Yes, available |
N/A |
|
| Nextlogic – Load and discharge list |
| Cut off when final barge loading/discharge list needs to be final in order for Nextlogic to plan the final barge call size | Accurate planning based on actual handlings. Optimize usage of operator and terminals equipment and resources, reduction of port congestion |
N/A |
Yes, available |
N/A |
|
| Nextlogic – Minimum call size, BTM and fixed windows |
| Accomodate visit information which is used in the current barge processes. | Accurate planning based on actual handlings. Optimize usage of operator and terminals equipment and resources, reduction of port congestion |
N/A |
Yes, available |
N/A |
|
| Nextlogic – Implementation |
| Integral planning of barges within the port of Rotterdam | Optimize usage of operator and terminals equipment and resources, reduction of port congestion |
N/A |
Yes, but in pilot Started on 4 October 2021 |
N/A |
|
| Rail Connected – Pre-notify train visit |
| Pro-forma locks, ad-hoc requests, train reference number. Live and mandatory from 1 November 2022 for ECT, Euromax, RWG. APM2 to follow in late 2023/2024. | Time saver, information can be re-used for planing improvements and sharing information amongs logistic partners |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes, available |
|
| Rail Connected – Train composition |
| Estimated call size, wagonlist and containers, updates. Pilot to start in Q3 | Time saver, information can be re-used for planing improvements and sharing information amongs logistic partners |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes, available |
|
| Rail Connected – Terminal operation info |
| *In pilot Updates, load- discharge and position confirmations | Time saver, get necessary information on rail, less roaming on terminal internet sites and communication via telephone or email |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes, available |
|
| Redesign HCN Road screens |
| Complete redesign of all the HCN Road screens. | Better workflow and overview allow for more efficient planning for web users. |
Yes, available |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Rail Connected – Track & Trace traction data (not-operated area) |
| Plan, progress, wagon list and train number | Time saver, get necessary information on rail, less roaming on terminal internet sites and communicationvia telephone or email |
N/A |
N/A |
Expected 2025 |
|
| Rail Connected – Track & Trace rail network Europe data (operated area) |
| Plan 24 hrs before slot, progress, train number | Time saver, get necessary information on rail, less roaming on terminal internet sites and communicationvia telephone or email |
N/A |
N/A |
Expected 2025 |
|
| Port Alert – Dashboard disruptions and incident reporting |
| Port Alert project by Port of Rotterdam, TLN and Portbase. Central dashboard for disruptions | Get informed about disruptions in the port of Rotterdam as soon as they happen, less roaming on internet sites, less subscriptions on terminal mailings, less angry truckdrivers |
Pilot in 2023, scaling in 2025 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Port Alert – Terminal barometer |
| Port Alert project by Port of Rotterdam, TLN and Portbase | Time saver, get necessary information on truck visits slots availability, less trial and error and less roaming on terminal internet sites required |
Expected 2025 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Port Alert – Improved mobile support HCN |
| Optimize basic HCN functions on mobile devices | Make it easier to pre-notify and check containerstatus info from the truck cabin |
Expected 2025 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Port Alert – e-Gate & truck app: the virtual waiting line |
| For terminals without slots: a digital waiting line ticket based on geofencing | Dosage – less congestion |
Expected 2025 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Port Alert – e-Gate & truck app: pull mechanism |
| For slot terminals: spare capacity is utilized by ‘pulling in’ trucks that are in the proximity | Maximum utilization of capacity – less truck congestion |
Under investigation |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Container Dossier – Executing haulier |
| Monitoring function when pre-notifying by an executing road carrier (subcontractor/charter must use HCN Road) to terminal (must be supported by terminal) | More secure manner to inform terminals which company is allowed to pick up the container |
Yes, available |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Container Dossier – Basic authorization |
| Simple authorization through B/L and equipment (forecast) by forwarder/consignee. | Security: only authorized operators can send in pre-notifications to terminal. |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Container Dossier – Basic integration import flow between cockpits operator and forwarder/consignee |
| Integration of Portbase services for deepsea, inland transport and cargo (vessel notification, MLI, HCN and Cargo Controller) | Time saver: forwarders/consignees have access to the same containerstatus information as operators + all available track and trace events. Operators can organize containers around B/Ls and clients. Both parties have acces to same data so less communication back and forth |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Container Dossier – Integration with import manifest |
| Information from the import manifest can be used for prenotifications and inland planning. | import manifest holds the most up to date container related information. It can be used to complete and correct outdated information on a MCA prenotification. |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Container Dossier – Commercial release pick-up info |
| Pickup reference and release party provided by the carrier | Time saver, allows statusrequests to be sent out automatically, saves communication back and forth with forwarder/consignee |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Container Dossier – Commercial release return info |
| Information regarding the return of the equipment provided by the carrier (acceptance reference + location) | Time saver, saves communication back and forth with forwarder/consignee |
Yes, but in pilot |
Yes, but in pilot |
Yes, but in pilot |
|
| Container Dossier – Basic integration export flow between cockpits operator and forwarder/shipper |
| Integration of Portbase services for deepsea, inland transport and cargo (vessel notification, MLE, HCN and Cargo Controller Export) | Time saver: forwarders/consignees have access to the same containerstatus information as operators + all available track and trace events. Operators can organize containers around B/Ls and clients. Both parties have acces to same data so less communication back and forth |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
|
| Container Dossier – Transport order by operator |
| Allows for the registration of the container roundtrip: – pickup empty, loading en delivery for export – pickup, discharge en return empty for import | Links the different moves in a roundtrip together, this allows for better planning overviews, tracking for clients, easily completing container numbers for the empties |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Container Dossier – Transport order by client |
| Registration of transport order by shipper/cosignee/forwarder | Links the different moves in a roundtrip together, this allows for better planning overviews, tracking for clients, easily completing container numbers for the empties |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
Yes, available |
|
| Container Dossier – Integration with inland terminals |
| Gate moves and possibly last-mile track and trace |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
| |
| Container Dossier – Demurrage and detention agreements |
| The number of free days given by the carrier | Time saver, get necessary planning (priority) information on container, saves communication back and forth with forwarder/consignee |
Yes, but in pilot |
Yes, but in pilot |
Yes, but in pilot | 
|
| Container Dossier – Carrier integration: Ocean transport booking |
| Up-to-date copy of the carrier booking | All inland parties have access to the carrier booking. Mutations in the booking that influence inland planning are instantly shared resulting in more reliable inland planning. |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
|
| Container Dossier – Other enhancements |
| Extending the containerdossier further: MRN numbers + expiration dates, e-CMR, proof of delivery, etc | Time saver, instant sharing of data to all relevant parties within the inland container chain but also back towards deepsea terminals and carriers |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
Under investigation |
|
| Container Dossier – Full authorisation registers |
| Integration of market standards in PCS / HCN for authorisation and data sharing (MyData) | Adoption of market standards makes data sharing scalable beyond Portbase. For example between different Port communities and inland networks (such as the Rhine network and corridors) |
Expected in 2025- 2026 |
Expected in 2025-2026 |
Expected in 2025 -2026 |
|
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