18 March 2026 | The digital exemption for container imports via the German Ports IT platform is entering its final phase. Transport companies and lorry drivers are the last group of participants to be integrated into the process. Collecting companies must ensure that they have a valid digital collection authorisation. This enables the terminals to check legitimisation directly at the terminal entrance in real time. In this way, German Ports creates an end-to-end digital process chain that covers the entire process from the arrival of the container to its collection in the German North Sea ports and goes far beyond the original release process.

The new release procedure under the name Secure Release Order (SRO) will thus be fully implemented in regular operations in the German North Sea ports. „Thanks to the uniform standard that applies across all ports, the North Sea ports are working together to counter drug smuggling. 99 per cent of container handling is already handled via German Ports. The gradual change process since 1 October 2025 has ensured an orderly transition, in which trouble-free handling was the top priority,“ reports Marco Molitor, CEO of dbh.

Digital collection rights become mandatory

In line with the legal requirements of the federal states of Hamburg and Bremen, the new regulation, which has also been widely communicated as Stage 2, will apply from 23 March in Hamburg and from 25 March 2026 in Bremerhaven. This means that pick-ups at the Eurogate and HHLA terminals in Hamburg and Bremerhaven are only possible with a valid digital pick-up authorisation. The terminal in Wilhelmshaven is an exception. For legal reasons, the transitional regulation will remain active there until the Lower Saxony Port Security Act comes into force.

New requirements for greater safety

There are essentially two security-related changes for the operational process. Firstly, slot bookings are now only possible with a valid pick-up authorisation. Secondly, the terminal automatically checks whether the company assigned to the lorry driver currently has a valid pick-up right for the corresponding container at German Ports. To do this, each driver must identify themselves via an IDP system - such as ImpalaID, CONROO or Passify.

Recommendations for a smooth start

To ensure a smooth transition, DAKOSY board member Ulrich Wrage recommends checking the technical and organisational requirements: „All companies must ensure that their drivers are correctly registered and clearly assigned in the IDP systems used. In addition, every company involved must be registered in German Ports.“

In particular, Wrage emphasises the inclusion of the onward carriage in the secure and standardised overall process as a unique selling point: „Our process not only looks at the release in isolation, but also integrates all parties involved in a container import seamlessly, transparently and comprehensibly into the new standard.“

Well over 15,000 users

German Ports currently has well over 15,000 users for the release process with the digital SRO. The IT platform is operated by the two market-leading providers of port IT platforms in Germany, DAKOSY from Hamburg and dbh from Bremen.

Transport companies and lorry drivers are the last group of participants to be included in the SRO process.

Photo credits: HHLA

About DAKOSY Datenkommunikationssystem AG
As one of the leading software houses for logistics, DAKOSY has been providing digital solutions for international freight forwarding and customs clearance as well as supply chain management for over 40 years. In addition, DAKOSY operates the Port Community System (PCS) for the Port of Hamburg and, through the allivate joint venture with Fraport AG, administers the Cargo Community System (FAIR@Link) for Frankfurt and Hamburg airports. All companies and authorities involved in import and export processes can use these digital platforms to handle their transport processes quickly and with maximum automation.

Contact person: Katrin Woywod, Press Officer DAKOSY
Phone: +49 40 37003320, e-mail: woywod@dakosy.de

About dbh Logistics IT AG
Since its foundation in Bremen in 1973, dbh Logistics IT AG has developed into one of the leading companies for software and consulting in the areas of customs and foreign trade, compliance, shipping and transport management, port management, SAP and cloud services. With its comprehensive portfolio, the IT specialist offers fully integrated solutions for reliably functioning logistics chains worldwide: its services range from strategy and process consulting, software development and implementation to support and hosting in its own ISO/IEC 27001-certified, secure and highly available data centres. In addition to its headquarters in Bremen, dbh Logistics IT AG is represented at 5 other locations in Germany. The company currently employs around 300 people, who are committed to more than 3,000 customers from industry and trade, freight forwarding and logistics, as well as shipping and harbours. Further information can be found at www.dbh.de 

Contact person: Gerrit Naß, Team Leader Marketing dbh Logistics IT AG
Phone: +49 421 30902103, e-mail: presse@dbh.de