Terminals at German Ports
SRO process

Secure, digital, standardised - the new check of terminal pick-up rights with German Ports.

Contents

Process
Docs & Guides
FAQ
Onboarding

The process for terminals at a glance

Container collection

Receive information about the imminent collection of a container as in today's process.

Check collection right

Check the authorisation to collect against German Ports.

Result of the audit

Depending on the data submitted, the test is returned positive or negative.

Docs & Guides

Specialised documentation

FAQ for terminals

The German Ports Process applies to all modes of transport. The process therefore includes collection by lorry, rail and barge.

The container release and collection process in the truck mode of transport concerns the following processes for the Secure Release Order module in the area:

  • Slot booking and/or transport pre-booking
  • Identification and verification of drivers at the gate
  • Documentation of the transmitted data in the gate-in and gate-out process

Terminals have several options for connecting to German Ports. Firstly, there is the option of connecting directly to the platform via REST. In this case, all checks and queries required for the collection process are carried out via the endpoints provided. In addition, the terminals also have the option of mapping the queries via the web UI.

In order to check digital pick-up rights via German Ports, both shipowners and forwarders must be registered and connected in German Ports. Only then can the collection right to be checked also be available in German Ports. From 1 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 authorisation. The terminal must either be registered via the web interface or connected via an interface.

As a terminal, you should arrange meetings with German Ports and plan an onboarding appointment with the project team at an early stage. Once your systems are customised, the integration can be tested flexibly. You need to familiarise yourself with the transition phases for haulage companies and the associated consequences for terminal testing:

01.10.2025 – 01.04.2026:

In the truck mode of transport:

  1. The terminal checks whether the requesting company has the right to collect when the status of a transport pre-notification is requested. (Only relevant if the terminal uses a transport pre-notification)
  2. When the drivers arrive, the terminal must check the identity of the drivers.
  3. At driver check-in and check-out, the relevant data (e.g. driver identification and vehicle licence plate number) is immediately transmitted to German Ports.

In the rail and inland waterway modes of transport:

  1. When the collection is registered, the terminal checks whether the requesting company is authorised to collect the goods.

From 01.04.2026:
In addition to identifying the driver, the terminal must revalidate the pick-up authorisation of the registered company against German Ports.

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.

No. For security reasons, the terminal can only enquire whether a collecting party is currently authorised. The terminal has no insight into which company currently has which collection authorisation.

The German Ports IDs of all registered companies are published on the German Ports website and can be downloaded there. 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 a shipowner sends an update to the COREOR or Release Order XML with a new expiry date, the pick-up right is automatically adjusted in German Ports. The current holder of the collection right will be informed.

Yes, if the shipowner sends a cancellation of the release, 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, is no longer valid.

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 terminal 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 instructed to organise the transport to the CPA (container inspection facility), the shipowner must either actively confirm the status change to "Pending Inspection" or proactively give permission for the terminal to set this status. This serves as a second security instance to prevent the possibility of internal offenders.

Onboarding

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