Shipowner:
The Secure Release Order

Collection authorisation instead of PINs - modern and secure release process.
This is what German Ports offers!

Contents

Shipowner process
Docs & Guides
FAQ
Onboarding

The process for shipowners at a glance

Send Release Order

Send the Release Orders (via EDI / XML) to German Ports. A digital pick-up right is generated from this.

Name recipient

In the Release Order, you transmit the German Ports ID of the company that receives the pick-up right.

Manage Releas Orders

If necessary, you can send changes (cancellations, updates) to German Ports.

Step by step instructions

1. register your company

Every company must register once in German Ports!

After registering, you can set up branches and add users in German Ports yourself.

Here register directly

2. inform your customers

Inform your customers in good time that they must also use German Ports. Only registered customers can receive and manage pick-up authorisations for import containers.

Also important: your customers must also inform the next party authorised to collect containers. This ensures a safe and uncomplicated handover.

Here go to the customer letter

3. connect technically to

As a shipping company, you can connect technically via EDIFACT or XML. Use the following documentation for this:

First take a look at the Release Order XML Implementation Guide.

With the ReleaseOrder-message, you can create, update and cancel the collection rights.

Optional: You can also use the "Pick-up right" function to transfer and withdraw a pick-up right. claimtransfer XML utilise.

In this case, the response message is the Notification Message (XML).

The notification message (XML) fulfils two essential functions: Receipt and Notification.

  • Receipt: Confirmation of processing (ClaimStatus: Accepted, Rejected, Pending).
  • Notification: Actively informs involved parties about changes.

First take a look at the Release Order XML Implementation Guide.

With the ReleaseOrder-message, you can create, update and cancel the collection rights.

Optional: You can also use the "Pick-up right" function to transfer and withdraw a pick-up right. claimtransfer XML utilise.

In this case, the response message is the Notification Message (XML).

The notification message (XML) fulfils two essential functions: Receipt and Notification.

  • Receipt: Confirmation of processing (ClaimStatus: Accepted, Rejected, Pending).
  • Notification: Actively informs involved parties about changes.

Alternatively, you can use the WebUI to manually edit and manage the exemptions.

Docs & Guides

Specialised documentation

Technical documentation

EDIFACT connection

XML connection

User Guide

Step-by-step instructions: How do I create exemptions, how do I revoke them?

FAQ for shipowners

Shipping companies have several options for connecting to German Ports. Firstly, there is the option of using an EDI interface via which releases, updates and cancellations are transmitted as COREOR. In this case, feedback in the event of errors is sent via an APERAK. Alternatively, the XML format can also be used for the Secure Release Order. In addition, a web interface is available via which digital collection rights can be created, edited and managed directly. Access to the web interface is possible for all registered companies as soon as registration has been completed and the corresponding technical clients have been set up.

An API connection is planned in the further expansion of German Ports. For operation on 1 October 2025, however, exemptions must be transmitted via EDI or XML.

In order to create and use digital pick-up rights via German Ports, you and your recipient parties (initial release parties) must be registered and connected in German Ports. This is the only way to ensure that the pick-up right can be properly delivered and passed on. From 1st of October 2025, all other players in the pick-up chain must also be connected, as containers can no longer be picked up from the terminal without a valid pick-up right.

As a shipowner, you should check the technical and functional documentation provided on the website. If necessary, arrange an onboarding appointment with the project team at an early stage. As soon as your systems have been customised, the integration can be tested flexibly.

The pick-up right is created via German Ports and replaces the previous release reference. It serves to make the handover of containers more secure, traceable and standardised. In future, the transfer will be based on digital authorisations instead of PIN codes. This will significantly increase security for everyone involved along the import chain.

A pick-up right is automatically generated in German Ports as soon as you as a shipowner submit a release - either as COREOR or Release Order XML.

After release by the shipowner, the pick-up right is passed on to the recipient party specified by the shipowner (initial release party). This party can either use the right itself, pass it on to another company or manage the right again via German Ports. The final pick-up at the terminal only takes place if the person collecting the goods is clearly identified and has been linked to the pick-up right.

Every company registered with German Ports receives a German Ports ID. This unique identifier must be entered either in the COREOR, in the Release Order XML or via the web interface. German Ports uses this ID to assign the pick-up right to the correct receiving party.

The German Ports IDs of all registered companies are published on the German Ports website and can be downloaded there. This list enables shipping companies to allocate their own internal IDs. If a technical or organisational assignment is still not possible, please contact the German Ports team directly to discuss alternative solutions.

Yes, this is possible - similar to the current process. If you send an update of the COREOR or Release Order XML with a new expiry date, the collection right is automatically adjusted in German Ports. The current holder of the pick-up right will be informed.

Yes, if you submit a cancellation of the Release Order, German Ports will cancel the corresponding pick-up right. All subsequent participants in the chain are automatically informed that the exemption and thus also the pick-up right are no longer valid.

Yes, changes can be made either by updating COREOR or via the German Ports web interface. Authorised users can manage existing exemptions and the associated pick-up rights there, withdraw them if necessary and reassign them.

For Carrier's Haulage Containers there are different ways to manage the pick-up right in German Ports. If you do not specify a receiving party, the pick-up right automatically remains with you as the carrier and you can manage it yourself. If you explicitly set the carrier's haulage flag in COREOR, the pick-up right also remains with you. If you wish to transfer the right to collect to a subcontractor or a branch, you can enter the German Ports ID of this company as the receiving party in COREOR. In this case, the collection right is automatically assigned to the corresponding subcontractor and can be further managed there.

If a container has already been released for a specific terminal and there is subsequently a terminal change, the existing release must first be cancelled. A new release must then be created for the changed terminal. In this context, the original pick-up right is automatically cancelled and a new pick-up right is created for the new terminal in German Ports.

In the case of official inspections, the shipowner may have to take action. If a terminal is instructed to transport a container outside the terminal site to a CPA or VET, the shipowner must either confirm the new status "Pending Inspection" or grant permission to set this status in advance. Without this permission, the terminal cannot organise the transport.

If a terminal is commissioned to organise the transport to the CPA (container inspection facility), the shipowner must either actively confirm the status change to "Pending Inspection" or proactively grant permission for the terminal to set this status. This serves as a second security instance to prevent misuse.

Onboarding

Not yet a member of German Ports? Then click here, to get to our registration page.