Hapag-Lloyd is pleased to integrate blockchain module Secure Container Release in the Port of Antwerp.
December 12, 2022, marks the start of a pioneering phase with the objective to gradually replace pincodes with Secure Pick-Up.
This state-of-the-art technology is developed through a longlasting process by T-Mining and can be seen as a groundbreaking phenomenon. It allows stakeholders to collect containers based on digital release rights, thereby cross checking multiple elements against a backbone system. Furthermore, Secure Container Release (SCR) has the ability to review customs data. The innovation tool is a big leap forward within the industry, enabling a tightened security and improved supply chain efficiency.
Since the topic was of national importance, local authorities issued a Port Police Decree in 2020. This legal framework obligated release parties within the Port of Antwerp to become Certified Pick-Up (CPU) compliant. The referred to application is founded by NxtPort and can be seen as a similar initiative. Because SCR had a proven track-record and distributes release data to CPU, which thence fulfills the needs, Hapag-Lloyd chose the former. This mechanism is based on an agreement between NxtPort and T-Mining. Vice versa, additional information is shared regarding the traffic lightning system. To become familiair with the procedure, Hapag-Lloyd created this webpage.
Onboarding Process
In order to get started with SCR, the following steps must be followed:
Step 1: Get invited
SCR concerns a closed portal. Companies whom have already been registered are able to invite others. In most ocassions, this is the carrier. Hapag-Lloyd designed below form to streamline this process. Once a request is raised, a due dilligence check takes place. If approved, you shall receive an e-mail from T-Mining to start your onboarding. This can be expected within 24 hours on working days. Before filling the form, please check internally if another colleague didn't already create an SCR account. Per VAT-number, one registration is allowed.
Step 2: Onboard your company
2.1 In T-Mining's mail, a unique link provides access to the online onboarding. Take note the sheet is two-pieced, whereas a personal SCR administrator account and ID-wallet of the entity are created. When completed, you shall receive a second mail to set your password. After doing so, you are now ready to start using SCR.
The portal consist of an admin area and release dashboard. Within step 2, we focus on the first one. The admin area allows you to maintain the organizational administration.
2.2 Continue by inviting other colleagues to the SCR account. This is highly recommended as a fallback scenario. New users can be added via https://admin.securecontainerrelease.com/organization/users. Take note a distinction in roles could be made. Select 'Admin' for full and 'User' in case of limited access.
2.3 Be informed your firm becomes automatically connected to Hapag-Lloyd. No further actions should be undertaken to arrange this. If you would like to create other connections, this can be done via https://admin.securecontainerrelease.com/organization/connections.
2.4 Furthermore, in the Port of Antwerp it is of relevance to link C-Point and SCR. Please do so via
https://admin.securecontainerrelease.com/organization.
Step 3: Start using SCR
Next up, the release dashboard. Either flow into here by clicking on the 'App' button within the admin area or consult the page using https://app.securecontainerrelease.com/. Once a mapping between your internal account and SCR-ID is established, all Hapag-Lloyd releases on deepsea terminals in the Port of Rotterdam or Antwerp can be found at a glance. This is what we call the ease of doing business. Be informed SCR does not only uses a multi-port, but also multi-carrier approach. Non Hapag-Lloyd releases can be found here as well.
Operational Requirement
When registered, you will automatically receive 3 months of SCR Premium for free. This to explore all functionalities the blockchain module has to offer. Prior to the end date, a choice must be made between SCR Basic, Premium or API.
Check https://www.securecontainerrelease.com/scr-premium to compare the different packages. It is mandatory to choose an option, otherwise the SCR account will be deactivated and releases could no longer be assigned or retrieved. T-Mining sends 3 reminders to the administrators before the trial period expires. Hapag-Lloyd suggests to take actions well ahead to avoid potential issues.
Secure Release Process
With SCR being integrated, the logistics playing field could benefit from lesser risks and improved efficiency. To align stakeholders within the Port of Antwerp, the rollout is divided into three phases. These are highlighted in below screenshot. Hapag-Lloyd as carrier started off with disabling the pincode functionality. Instead, the Freight Release Party (FRP) receives a blockchain-enabled token via SCR. When that particular company does not collect the container, it is expected that the release will be securely transferred to the transporter as Second Release Party (SRP). Ultimately, the end-goal is to activate Secure Pick-Up on all deepsea terminals.
On AG and MPET, this objective has been reached since January 29, 2024. The transition for PSA followed shortly afterwards on February 5, 2024. Both ACOT and AET are in the process of implementing the same, after which Hapag-Lloyd will also move to the final phase here. Be informed subject changes are mandatory due to the Port Police Decree.
Phased rollout SCR
Before the actual Secure Pick-Up can take place, a range of traffic lights need to turn green. First and foremost, a commercial release from the carrier must be present. Subsequently, it's a prerequisite that the container is discharged on and released by the terminal. Before leaving their property, local authorities should release the goods for customs. Furthermore, the release parties need to have a connection established between C-Point and SCR. This does not only unlock Secure Pick-Up, but also makes it possible to run an accurate Audit.
Once these conditions are met, the transporter should select a specific driver, barge or train via the Assign function in SCR. The release dashboard features different tabs whereas the modalities can be maintained as such. In case a driver is appointed, one can pick-up the container pincode-free based on a TAR, Alfapass and biometric verification (i.e. fingerscan). Barge or trains could be used in this respect whilst issuing a load list (COPINO) as pre-announcement. In addition, the terminal checks against an SCR API (MPET) or CPU data (AG, PSA) if the requesting company is authorized to do the pick-up. NxtPort's traffic light notification variables can be found here.
Traffic light system Secure Pick-Up
Customs Process
To increase transparancy and awareness among stakeholders, conditions Customs Light and Customs Progress are integrated on SCR. The customs status is of vital importance. Herewith, it is added as part of the enablement regarding Secure Pick-Up. In due time, all deepsea terminals in the Port of Antwerp will check the Customs Light (i.e. CCRM status) prior to the creation of a pre-announcement. As of this moment, it does only account for AG. The current status per terminal can be tracked via this hyperlink. Take note the Customs Progress shows indicative lights, whereas the data flows into SCR with some delays. As per default, condition Customs Light is leading over Customs Progress. It is expected that this change of scene makes the port future-proof and significantly reduces the amount of clearance disrepancies. The name, value and color lightning can be retrieved from NxtPort's variables table as shared under section Secure Release Process.
News & Customer Information
To familiarize with SCR, Hapag-Lloyd shared additional information and supportive materials:
| Titel | Seiten | Größe | Sprache | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer letter Secure Container Release integration Port of Antwerp | 4 | 186.7 KB | Englisch | |
| Getting started with Secure Container Release | 13 | 3.2 MB | Englisch | |
| Guideline Secure Container Release web application | 27 | 3.3 MB | Englisch | |
| Guideline Secure Container Release admin area | 15 | 1.7 MB | Englisch | |
| Switching from SCR Premium to Basic | 3 | 86.2 KB | Englisch | |
| Upgrading from SCR Basic or Premium to API | 31 | 395.1 KB | Englisch | |
| Technical details SCR API | 1 | 56.3 KB | Englisch | |
| Secure Container Release white paper | 15 | 2.3 MB | Englisch |
Support
T-Mining and Hapag-Lloyd's Customer Service as well as Operations departments are glad to assist.
Prior to submitting your question, have a look at below and the referred to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).
When it is not included, please contact the identified point of entry as per beneath table:
FAQ
SCR maintains a multi-port and multi-carrier approach. If you were invited by another carrier in the past, you can keep using same account. This has huge efficiency benefits, since all secure releases are clustered together.
If your firm is marked as the FRP or SRP, then it is mandatory to become registered on SCR. The pick-up location is of relevance in this respect.
Connecting one to another is fairly simple. NxtPort included a procedure on their website on how to do so. Click here to access the guideline.
Take note the needful actions can be performed by administrators only.
In this case, the trial period of SCR has expired. The administrator(s) of your company received multiple reminders from T-Mining to either extend the premium product or switch to the basic product. When no follow-up actions have been taken, your account will be inactivated. If you are expecting import shipments via the Port of Antwerp on the short term, it is recommended to purchase the premium product for one month. This can be done via https://app.securecontainerrelease.com/order. As such, you will re-gain access to SCR within minutes.
Kindly take note the premium product could be cancelled on a monthly basis. In the meantime, the switch to the basic product, which is free of charge, can be arranged. To make this happen, your company’s ID-wallet has to be transferred from the T-Mining cloud to an inhouse server. Under tab News & Customer info, guideline Switching from SCR Premium to Basic can be found. It is suggested to include your IT department in order to speed up this process. Lastly, make sure to schedule an appointment with T-Mining's Customer Service department. These will further assist you on this matter.
When setting-up SCR, it is highly recommended to create separate accounts for colleagues as well. This can be done via https://admin.securecontainerrelease.com/organization/users. If a colleague is unavailable, then there's always a back-up.
When this has not been done yet, please reach out to the Customer Service department of T-Mining. They will inform you who the current administrator is and add new ones if required.
The secure transfer to the SRP should take place via SCR, after which the Assign function can be used to collect containers via Secure
Pick-Up. It is impossible to do this via CPU. In case the transporter does not have an SCR account, it should be invited by the FRP. One of the administrators can perform these actions via https://admin.securecontainerrelease.com/organization/connections. Take note Hapag-Lloyd is unable to intervene, since it does not meet the standards within our due dilligence framework.
In such ocassions, Secure Pick-Up is activated for the respective deepsea terminal. Instead of retrieving fraudulent pincodes, a secure transfer must be performed to the SRP. The transporter is then able to either Assign a driver, barge or train. Notification 'Must assign to fetch pin' can be seen as an incentive message for the FRP. When you would like to learn more about Assign and Unassigning releases, have a look at the following webpage created by T-Mining: https://www.securecontainerrelease.com/assignyourrelease.
Secure Pick-Up data on AG is checked against CPU. As of this moment, Terminal Release information is not distributed to SCR. Hence, the default status will be 'Unknown', combined with a grey lightning. Take note this should not cause any problems during the assigning process.
T-Mining is working on implement a fix. Our apologies for the temporary lack of data.
As stated in the last paragraph under section Secure Release Process, some traffic light variables are checked against CPU. This is the case for terminals AG and PSA. In such ocassions, default text 'Pick-up via NxtPort' is shown under column Pick-Up Method on SCR. If a container is discharged on MPET, Secure Pick-Up information is verified through an SCR API. Likewise, text 'Pick-up via SCR' is then projected.
Generally, the secure release should be visible within approximately 5 minutes after receiving Hapag-Lloyd's notification message. Subsequently, condition Commercial Release (COREOR) must shift to a green lightning. The amount of data via SCR significantly increased the last couple of weeks. When searching for a specific release, please wait a few seconds. To speed-up the process, open the Filter Table option in the right upper corner of the release dashboard and insert the container or bill of lading number. When above timeframe has surpassed and no details can be found, please contact our Customer Service or Operations department.
When this problem occurs, please follow the
CCRM hick-ups guideline shared by the Port of Antwerp. It describes in detail which cross-checks must be performed prior to contacting the carrier. If there are no descripancies to be found, make sure to send the needful documentation along. Our Value Added Service department will then further investigate the root cause.
Customs Progress is an indicative light. It could be that the broker cleared the document, but the status does not yet reflect 'customslightgreen' as per the CPU variables table. This is because the underlying data element is updated twice a day, be it on 6.00 AM and 2.15 PM local time. Although the Customs Light is leading above Customs Progress, Hapag-Lloyd suggests to double check PLDA.
If the Pick-Up Light remains on status 'Unkown' after the assign, the transporter has not yet connected their C-Point account. This action is mandatory, otherwise Secure Pick-Up data cannot be checked by either CPU or SCR. Please ask them to do so. When the Commercial Release, Terminal Discharge, Terminal Release and Customs Light are on green as well, subject container can be collected from quay.
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