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Living Lab cases

In the maritime sector, we are working hard on a BDI infrastructure that puts secure and efficient data sharing at its core. Below, you can find some of our case studies in collaboration with Portbase:

Secure chain

The Secure chain is a collaboration between government and industry, established to strengthen the digital resilience of logistics chains in the port. A key part of this initiative is the secure and reliable release and pickup of import containers in Dutch ports, starting with Rotterdam. Portbase provides the service for the Secure chain.

Within the Secure chain, the traditional PIN codes has been replaced by a closed, digital release and pick-up process based on digital authorizations. Only authorized parties are permitted to release and collect containers. This requires adjustments to working methods accross all links in the chain, as well as intensive collaboration throughout the supply chain. Through targeted communication and a broad campaign, stakeholders were guided and supported in adopting this change.

Within the Living Lab 'Secure chain', the following has been achieved:
  • A fully operational and tested system for releasing import containers through digital authorizations.
  • Succesful implementation by the first supply chain partnes, followed by gradual expansion to additional users.
  • Application of digital authorizations to high-risk cargo flows, such as imports from Latin America and Central America.
  • Scaling up to lower-risk goods and shipping routes, resulting in an increasing share of container flows being handled via the Secure chain.
  • In figures: over 3.3 million containers released through the Secure chain (as of January 2026. Source: vertrouwensketen.nl).
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Cargo Tracking System/ Port-wide RTO

The Cargo Tracking System (CTS) supports the fully digital tracking and movement of containers under various customs regimes to, from, and via terminals in the Port of Rotterdam. Where terminals traditionally each maintain their own RTO administration, which is subsequently audited by custom authorities, CTS provides a single, shared, and reliable source of information for all the parties involved. Portbase delivers the services that make this possible.

With the introduction of a port-wide RTO, the administrative burden for business is significantly reduced and greater transparency is created in processes related to custom statuses. The system simplifies digital business operations, reduces the risk of errors and fines, and enables customs authorities to exercise real-time supervision. The Cargo Tracking System consists of several interconnected components, including the RTO administration, a Customs Dashboard and the yet-to-be developed Transfer Module.

 

Within the Living Lab 'Cargo Tracking System / Port-wide RTO', the following has been achieved:
  • Development and implementation of a port-wide RTO as a uniform working method for terminals and Customs.
  • Succesfull alignment and collaboration between Customs and terminals regarding the use of the port-wide RTO.
  • Go-live and growing adoption of the port-wide RTO by terminals.
  • Integration of RTO data into the Port Community System of Portbase, enabling terminals to retain control over their data and share it in a controlled manner within and beyond the community.

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Container dossier

In the transport of a container between a deepsea terminal and the delivery address (and vice versa), many different parties are involved. In practice, the same logistical information is collected and recorded seperately by multiple parties in their own systems. This results in fragmented, outdated, or incomplete information, limited planning reliability, and suboptimal use of capacity. Despite expensive digitalization within individual organisations, standardized and supply chain-wide information exchange is often lacking.

Through the Living Lab Container dossier, Portbase unlocks logistical information within the supply chain based on authorization. This creates a single shared and up-to-date source of information for all authorized parties involved in handling a container shipment. The Container dossier builds on the foundation of the Secure chain, where authorization and control over data are central principles. Both Living Labs reinforce one another and contribute to improved collaboration and transparency within the logistics chain.

Within the Living Lab 'Container dossier', the following has been achieved:
  • Integration and reuse of existing services and already available data from Portbase.
  • Succesfull execution of small-scale pilots to test concepts and supply chain collaboration in practice.
  • Gained insights into the information needs of different supply chain parties and their mutual dependencies.
  • Alignment with the Secure chain, where authorization is organized top-down from the shipping line.

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Expected time of container discharge at seaports

Due to the increasing scale of shipping, container ships can carry ever more containers, leading to longer loading and unloading processes in the seaports. This often creates a significant gap between a vessle's expected time of arrival (ETA) and the actual time when an individual container is unloaded (unloading confirmation). For companies, usually only vessel;s arrival time is known, wheras insight into the expected unloading time (EDT) of a container is crucial for efficient logistical planning.

This Living Lab provides companies with visibility of the expected unloading time of their container(s) via the Portbase service Cargo Controller, combined with Premium Terminal Data. With this information, they can better plan onward transport to the hinterland and timely select suitable transport modes. By knowing earlier and more accurately when containers will become available, using rail and inland waterways alongside or instead of road transport becomes more attractive. This contributes to cost savings, more efficient capacity use, and reduced environmental impact.

Within the Living Lab 'Expected time of container discharge at seaports', the following has been achieved:
  • Technical access to unloading time data from multiple deepsea terminals.
  • Implementation of authorization facilities to make terminal data available to authorized parties.
  • Connection of terminals through both terminal-specific authorization registers and the Portbase MyData authorization platform.
  • Availability of unloading time information via the Portbase Port Community System for deepsea terminals.
  • Further expansion and alignment with terminals to enable data exchange through a single, uniform channel.

Rotterdam,,The,Netherlands,-,June,5,2018:,Container,Terminal,In

Sharing scheduled arrival and departure times of sea vessels

Sharing reliable and up-to-date information on the scheduled arrival and departure times of ocean-going vessels contributes to more efficient handling of ship visits in the port. By making this information transparently available to maritime service providers and other stakeholders, planning can be better coordinated. This leads to cost savings, reduced waiting times, and lower environmental impact. Additionally, this data is valuable for hinterland parties, enabling them to better prepare their logistics processes.

Within this Living Lab, an authorization-driven approach has been implemented, allowing parties to retain control over thne sharing of their data. Through a central facility, stakeholders can determine which scheduled and actual arrival and departure times, alog with associated visitor information, are made available to authorized users. The release data supports supply chain collaboration and provides a foundation for further optimization of port and hinterland processes.

Within the Living Lab 'Sharing scheduled arrival and departure times of sea vessels', the following has been achieved:
  • Development of a framework for sharing scheduled and actual arrival and departure times of sea vessels.
  • Implementation of an authorized system that allows parties to grant permission for sharing their data.
  • Release of data on a large number of vessel movements through multiple Portbase services, including the Ship Visit API.
  • Connection of multiple ports and maritime parties to the shared information platform.
  • Expansion to additional ports within the Netherlands, further increasing the coverage and value of the data.
Port,Of,Rotterdam,,The,Netherlands,-,25-03-2021:,Container,Ship,Arriving
Do you, as a company, have a logistics challenge that might be solved by applying the BDI? We would love to get in touch with you. At DIL, we offer support with manpower, expertise, and financial resources.