Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte deepsea terminals have implemented a new layer of security for truck drivers collecting containers: automatic verification of the operating carrier at the gate.
This final step in the Secure Chain process aims to reduce the risk of cargo theft, fraud, and unauthorised access to containers. Each terminal has rolled out the verification system independently over the past months, with APM Terminals Maasvlakte II being the latest to go live. Other participating terminals include ECT Delta terminal, ECT Euromax terminal, Hutchison Ports Delta II, and RWG.
The system verifies whether the driver at the gate is authorised to collect a container by matching the unique EAN number on the driver’s CargoCard—issued by Secure Logistics—with the EAN number in the pre-notification sent via the Port Community System (PCS) of Portbase. If the numbers do not match, the driver is denied entry.
This approach replaces the previously used PIN code system, which was seen as vulnerable to misuse. Since early 2025, deepsea shipping lines and agents in Rotterdam no longer issue these PIN codes for container collection. The Secure Chain process now ensures that the right to pick up a container is transferred digitally and securely from shipping line to forwarder, haulier, and terminal.
The introduction of operating carrier verification across all Maasvlakte terminals marks a milestone for the Rotterdam port community. According to industry stakeholders, it enhances trust in the system while aligning with broader efforts to strengthen the port’s digital security posture. The Secure Chain is a collaborative initiative involving a wide network of logistics companies and public authorities, including the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Dutch Customs, Seaport Police, and the Municipality of Rotterdam.
For truck drivers, the process is simple. Upon arrival at the terminal gate, they present their CargoCard. The system checks the EAN number against the pre-notified details, ensuring that only the designated carrier’s driver gains access to the terminal. This automated check reduces errors, speeds up gate processes, and reinforces secure handling of containers.
As the port of Rotterdam handles an immense volume of container traffic, the Secure Chain is a critical measure to safeguard the integrity of supply chains. With all deepsea terminals at Maasvlakte now onboard, industry insiders expect the verification of the operating carrier to become the norm in other major ports worldwide.
