Antwerp’s digital leap for containers

‘Certified Pick up’ (CPu) is a digital, secure and integrated solution for the release of containers that will replace the current system of PIN codes. The system, which starts from 1 January 2021, is anticipated to establish a secure, transparent and optimised release process for incoming containers, which will then leave the port by rail, barge or truck.

Port Alderman, Annick De Ridder, said: “As a port, we take our social responsibility with this initiative. 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 gain access to the containers at the terminals. I really want to thank all involved partners for making this possible.”

The CPu platform receives and processes 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 final carrier is known. The time between the creation of the digital key and the collection of the container is therefore minimal.

It will also be possible to trace 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 Pick up within the boundaries of their legal powers.

In the longer term, CPu should allow the digital key to be completely eliminated. An identity-based security process with fingerprints or eye scans might be developed.