Germany’s North Sea ports have officially entered the final phase of their transition to a fully digital import container release process.
To enhance port security and actively combat drug smuggling, all transport companies and truck drivers must now be connected directly to the German Ports IT platform.
Terminal pickups now require a valid digital authorization known as the Secure Release Order (SRO). This standardized procedure allows port terminals to verify driver credentials in real time, creating a seamless and secure digital workflow from the moment a container arrives until it exits the terminal gates.
According to Marco Molitor, Chairman of the Board at dbh, 99 percent of container handling is already functioning through the German Ports platform. The phased rollout, which began in late 2025, has successfully prioritized uninterrupted cargo handling during the transition.
Digital authorization will become strictly mandatory based on federal state regulations:
- Hamburg: March 23, 2026
- Bremerhaven: March 25, 2026
Moving forward, pickups at all Eurogate and HHLA terminals across both ports will only be processed with a valid digital authorization. Wilhelmshaven is currently operating under a transitional provision until the Lower Saxony Port Security Act officially takes effect.
The shift to digital authorization introduces a few critical changes to daily logistics operations:
- Slot Bookings: Mandatory slot bookings are now directly linked to the digital pickup authorization.
- Driver Verification: Driver credentials will be verified automatically through approved IDP systems such as ImpalaID, CONROO, or Passify.
Ulrich Wrage, DAKOSY board member, stressed that logistics companies must ensure their drivers are correctly registered and clearly identified within these IDP systems. Furthermore, every participating organization must be formally registered with German Ports. The platform currently supports over 15,000 users and is jointly operated by Germany’s leading port IT providers, DAKOSY in Hamburg and dbh in Bremen.