Home2025-09-01T17:10:46+02:00

More security
through digitalisation
in our harbours

With the German Ports Secure Release Order, the collection processes are
of the German seaports digitised, standardised and secured.

German Ports Secure Release Order

German Ports: Our vision

German Ports is shaping a secure, transparent and digital future for container handling in German seaports. With a standardised digital approval process, we create transparency, increase security and create a reliable basis for future-proof port logistics.

Roles and involved parties

Carrier

Freight forwarder & logistician

Terminal

TMS

Specific Release Process

Process flow

News and events

FAQ German Ports

German Ports is a joint project of DAKOSY Datenkommunikationssystem AG and dbh Logistics IT AG. The co-operation between the two system houses ensures that the German Ports platform provides you with container and release information for all major German seaports (Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven).

German Ports is pursuing the goal of making the collection process for import containers in the German seaports of Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven more secure. A standardised, digital collection process is to replace the current exemption PIN with a pin-free, digital collection authorisation. A standardised process that is not only used at all locations, but also by all economic operators in the supply chain, should also strengthen the attractiveness of German seaports in international competition.

The German seaports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven are pulling together to put a stop to drug smuggling and better protect container imports in future. To this end, the entire authorisation chain, from the release of the shipping company to the delivery of the container at the terminal, will be mapped digitally in a closed system. The process is expected to become mandatory for shipowners, terminal operators, freight forwarders and transport companies on 1 October 2025.

In order to comply with the legal requirements, German Ports can be used from 1 October 2025.

German Ports is aimed at all companies involved in the container import process. These mainly include shipowners, terminal operators, freight forwarders and transport companies. In addition, providers of transport management systems or software providers can connect to German Ports as service providers for the aforementioned groups.

German Ports can initially be used for the three largest German container ports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. We will keep you up to date on the German Ports website if an expansion to other German or international seaports is planned.

A basic monthly fee of € 60.00 per contractual partner (DAKOSY for Hamburg, dbh for Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven) is charged for the use of German Ports. In addition, the following costs are charged on a case-by-case basis:

  • Creation of a collection right: € 0.80 per creation
  • Activation of a pick-up right: € 0.80 per activation
  • Forwarding a pick-up right: € 0.40 per forwarding
  • Requesting a collection right: € 0.39 per exempted container

Further information can be found here: Prices - German Ports

To be able to use the new digital exemption procedure, companies can first register at Registration for participation in German Ports - German Ports register. They will then receive the contract documents. As soon as DAKOSY or dbh logistics IT receives these signed documents, the technical connection and activation on the web platforms (German Ports, IMP, BIT) can take place.

We recommend that freight forwarders and transport companies allow sufficient time to realise the IT setup and try out the new processes as part of the test phase. The prerequisite for a successful implementation process is that the companies have first harmonised their internal processes with the new exemption process. In addition, a central contact person must be appointed to coordinate the exchange of information with German Ports. Freight forwarders with their own TMS can connect their interfaces (API / EDI) to German Ports. Here it is important to check in advance which adjustments are required in the TMS and to prepare these accordingly.

Firstly, you need to register your company in German Ports via Registration - German Ports - Borderless harbour flow register. Your designated administrators can then set up various branches and user accounts on the platform. Further information can be found in the associated User guide.

Companies can connect their own IT systems via open interfaces, use their existing digital access via the PCS platforms from DAKOSY (IMP) or dbh (BIT) or process the exemptions via the German Ports web platform.

We are currently receiving a large number of registrations, which we are processing one after the other as quickly as possible. We therefore ask for your patience. You will receive your contract documents in the next few days and the corresponding access data to German Ports after signing the contract.

Once you have successfully registered and signed the contract, you can be connected to the test system. Please get in touch with us, for example via our contact form on our website: Contact - German Ports - Borderless harbour flow

You can use German Ports both via an interface and via the web application. Please specify which form of connection you require when registering.

Whether the consignee must be registered with German Ports as the rights holder depends on how the cooperation between consignee and forwarder is contractually regulated - in particular, who is to assume the right of indemnity according to the assignment agreement.

In practice, there are usually two options:

  1. The consignee manages the exemption himself. In this case, the consignee receives the right of collection directly via German Ports and only instructs the freight forwarder to collect the goods. Consequence: The consignee must be registered and can then pass on the collection right to the freight forwarder.
  2. The freight forwarder assumes the indemnity in his own name. In this case, the right of indemnity is transferred from the consignee to the freight forwarder by means of an assignment agreement, so that the freight forwarder manages the indemnity independently. Consequence: In this case, the freight forwarder must be registered.

To summarise: Those who have to register are not from the system specifications of German Ports, but depends on the contractual distribution of roles between consignee and forwarder. The decisive factor is who should ultimately receive and manage the collection right.

German Ports itself does not manage any assignment agreements and is not involved in any contractual constellations. The platform serves exclusively to provide collection rights and to enable their transfer.

The system is secured across several levels - including through proven cloud and Azure mechanisms such as redundancy, regular backups with recovery options, continuous monitoring and rapid response in the event of a fault.

In the event of a system failure (German Ports/TR02/IDP systems), no documentation of the deliveries needs to be added.

The time of system outages is shown in German Ports for the users of the authorities.

You will receive further information from our webinars here. User-specific information, documentation & guides can also be found on the German Ports website under the menu item Roles to view. We will also be providing video tutorials in the coming weeks explaining how to use the application.

For further questions please use our Contact form for the port in question or call us on +49 421 30902810 for Bremerhaven & Wilhelmshaven or +49 40 37860970 for Hamburg.

2025 German Ports - Hamburg - Bremerhaven - Wilhelmshaven

2025 German Ports - Hamburg - Bremerhaven - Wilhelmshaven

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