The Port of Antwerp has announced that as of 1 January 2021, it will implement Certified Pick up (CPu), a digital and integrated solution for the release of containers and will replace the current system of PIN codes.
At present to pick up a container at a terminal in the port, a unique PIN code is required, however, this is subject to the risk of abuse.
The CPu platform receives and processes the container information to generate an encrypted digital key, with which the eventual carrier can pick up the container. This digital key is only created when the end operator is known. Therefore, the time between the creation of the digital Key and the collection of the container is minimal, the Port of Antwerp explained in a statement.
It will also be possible to track which parties were involved in the collection of the container. This allows the competent authorities such as customs and police to access the data exchanged and generated in Certified Collection within the limits of their legal competencies.
“This is a story of co-creation with the aim of marketing the port of Antwerp even better as a high-performance digital port. We set up a port-wide consultation structure, which monitors the project and adjusts it if necessary,” said Port of Antwerp ceo Jacques Vandermeiren.
“I welcome the fact that the port community is helping to further secure the logistics chain. With the digital code system, we are making it much more difficult for the drug mafia to access containers in the terminals,” explained Annick De Ridder, the port Alderman.
Over the longer term, CPu should allow the digital key to be removed completely. An identity-based security process with fingerprints or eye scans could be developed.
