The digital container import release process at Germany’s North Sea ports is entering its concluding phase, with transport companies and truck drivers now required to connect to the German Ports IT platform.
The integration of this final group of participants completes a digital process chain covering the entire journey of a container from arrival at port through to collection by road haulage operators.
Under the new Secure Release Order procedure, companies collecting containers must hold a valid digital pick-up authorisation, enabling terminals to verify truckers’ credentials in real time upon terminal entry.
The system creates a standardised, end-to-end digital workflow across Germany’s North Sea ports, extending the scope of the original release process significantly.
The new regulation, commonly referred to as Phase 2, takes effect on March 23 in Hamburg and March 25 in Bremerhaven, in accordance with the legal requirements of the states of Hamburg and Bremen respectively.
The transition has been implemented progressively since October 1, 2025, with continuity of cargo handling maintained as the primary operational priority throughout.
Marco Molitor, Chairman of the Board at dbh, reported that 99 percent of container handling is already being conducted via the German Ports platform, reflecting the advanced state of industry adoption ahead of the regulatory deadline.
He highlighted the standardised approach across all participating ports as a unified effort to combat drug smuggling through container terminals, a consideration that has been central to the initiative’s design from the outset.
