Belgium’s Port of Antwerp has announced that it will launch its digitalised system for customers picking up containers at the port in a phased in start to the project from 1 January next year.
Certified Pick up (CPu) was flagged by the port earlier this year when Antwerp Port Authority said it would replace its old system operated with a PIN with the new centralised data platform to which all stakeholders have access, which the ports says will be quicker.
The system will be phased in from January, the first phase will “allow transparency on the container status, aimed at increasing the operational efficiency for every player in the chain. The various container statuses, related to the collection of a container in the port of Antwerp, will be displayed as “green lights”. The supply-chain partners will be able to view the commercial release, the customs release and terminal release of the containers under their control,” said an Antwerp Port statement.
In this first phase the PIN system will still be available, but as the second phase of the digital system roll out the PIN system will also be closed, but the port has not given a time line for the start of the second phase at this time. In this second phase the various supply chain partners will be able to access the system.
However, the port added that, “A fee will be charged to those using the port, in order to use Certified Pick up. These charges, which will apply as from 1 January 2021, comprise a fixed charge for the API/EDI connection or use of the web interface on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a variable fee per processed container, which is divided into three equal parts between the shipping company, terminal and the first authorised party in the collection process.”
