FAQ - General Process
What does Certified Pick up (CPu) mean?
CPu is a neutral, central data platform providing the supply chain with a digital, secure and optimized cargo release and pick-up process. This is done by capturing and enriching container information - originating from different parties - on the CPu platform, in order to guarantee a pick-up based on identity with which the final carrier can retrieve the container. This assigns the right container to the right carrier. An audit trail is provided to make the entire process also auditable for the competent authorities.
I am Consignee on the B/L, do I need to register for the CPu application?
If, in the current system, you receive a PIN code from the carrier, or at any time you handle the PIN code (you receive it from another company) then yes, you will need to register. The principle of the import process does not change, the only thing which changes is the way you receive the right to pick up the container. Instead of a document with an actual PIN code, you receive a digital Release Right through the CPu platform.
If you work with a forwarding agency and they handle the import process for you, you don't need to register, unless otherwise required by the Shipping Agent. If the Shipping Agent sends the PIN code to your company first, and you in turn send it to your forwarder, you will need to be registered. Just like in the current setup with PIN codes, you need to announce to the carrier that they have to release the container to the forwarder working on your behalf. The forwarder will then receive the Release Right through CPu (instead of the document with the PIN code). The forwarder will in their turn transfer the Release Right to the transport company which picks up the container at the port.
If you handle the import process yourself, and nominate the transport company which picks up the container directly, then you will need to register. The carrier will send the Release Right to your company, and you will need to transfer it to the transport company.
I am not the Consignee/Notify on the B/L, can I receive the Release Right through CPu? Or is the Release Right always sent to the Consignee?
If you wish to receive the release on behalf of the Consignee, the Consignee will have to inform the carrier to whom they can release the cargo. The principle of the import process does not change, the only thing which changes is the way you receive the right to pick up the container. Instead of a document with an actual PIN code, you receive a digital Release Right through the CPu platform.
Why is CPu mandatory?
CPu is conceived as a port service to create a centralized and digitized process, where efficiency, safety and security are paramount. The port infrastructure is recognized as a critical digital infrastructure. In order for this system to be complete, it is necessary for each party involved to be connected. The Antwerp Port Authority must safeguard this critical digital infrastructure and has chosen to appoint its affiliated company NxtPort as authorized service provider to help develop this infrastructure.
Who will need to connect to the CPu?
All logistic partners - in Belgium or abroad - who are involved in the pick-up process of containers in the port of Antwerp. This includes, amongst others but not exhaustive: Shipping lines, shipping agents, terminals, shippers, forwarders, logistic handlers, trucking companies, barge operators and rail operators.
Which commodities are subject to the obligation?
Every loaded container and every empty shipper owned container that is brought by seagoing vessel to a terminal in the port of Antwerp and will subsequently leave this terminal by barge, truck, train or any other means of transport other than a seagoing vessel.
Each loaded container and each empty shipper owned container, which is unloaded by a seagoing vessel in another seaport, is transported to a terminal in the Port of Antwerp under an Antwerp Bill of Lading or under the control of the Organizer of Sea Transport and will then leave this terminal by barge, truck, train or any other means of transport other than a seagoing vessel.
Any loaded container that is brought by seagoing vessel to a terminal in the Port and then unloaded at this terminal.
How will the implementation of CPu proceed?
The implementation of CPu will be phased from January 1, 2021. In the first phase, the CPu platform will ensure transparency about the container status, with the aim of increasing operational efficiency for each player in the chain. The various container statuses, related to the collection of a container in the port of Antwerp, will be displayed as “green lights”. The supply-chain partners will be able to view the commercial release, the customs release and terminal release of the containers under their control. In exchange for this information, chain partners will later be required to add relevant supply-chain data, such as anticipated collection time, terms, etc. The existing process in which a PIN code is used to collect a container will still be maintained in this phase, both for pre-registration and collection.
In the next phase, the various supply chain partners will gradually switch to a new way of handling, i.e. collection based on identity. The current process in which a PIN code is used to pick up a container will be phased out and replaced by a digital process from Release Right to pick up right and an authorized collection based on identity.
From when should I be connected to CPu?
Shipping companies and terminals must be connected to CPu by January 1, 2021 to provide the platform with the necessary data for phase 1. Other chain partners, such as forwarders and transporters, can connect in this phase without any obligation to gain insight into the different container statuses. From phase 2 onwards, every chain partner will have to be connected.
Is it possible to connect to CPu via a third party?
Container shipping lines are free to connect directly to CPu or connect to CPu via a third party application. However, the full audit trail and generation of the final digital key will only be provided by the CPu application. The audit trail must be provided to CPu by the third party application and the final digital key must be requested from CPu by the users of the third party application. The third party application will therefore always have to link to CPu in order to be able to ensure the audit trail that CPu performs.
The use of a third party application should not compromise the security of CPu and of the CPu application nor the generation of the final digital key and audit trail by the authorized service provider.
The use of a third party application is in no way prejudicial to the obligations of the parties concerned, who must ensure that all necessary steps are taken and that, having regard to their capacity and role, they communicate all data within the CPu.
As far as we know there is currently one party that can offer a third party application that has a connection with CPu, namely Secure Container Release from T-Mining.
What are the advantages of being connected to the CPu?
Connecting to the CPu will generate optimization benefits for all logistical partners. Simplification of administrative processes, improvement of employee safety and security, and reduction of throughput time of import containers in the port of Antwerp.
What technology does CPu use to make the process safe and efficient?
CPu is built with AKS technology on a Microsoft Azure stack. The application is subject to regular penetration testing, security audits and constant security monitoring. NxtPort is also ISO 27001 compliant, which means that they meet the strict requirements for information security.
What happens with the data delivered to CPu?
Neither NxtPort nor the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority will use these data for purposes other than CPu. They will not commercialize this data.
The Port Authority has the right to use the data used or generated in the context of CPu and the related CPu Application and services in an aggregated manner with a view to its public tasks and may impose reporting obligations on the authorized service provider in that context.
How can a shipping line trust a First Release Party?
Although there are some identification verification mechanisms built in CPu, good business practice requires that a shipping line validates the identity (and the Identifier used for identification) with the first release party as CPu/NxtPort has no operational relationship with the FRP.
How does CPu handle submitted container events from different parties?
A Commercial Release will only take container events (Customs Release, Terminal Discharge & Gate In (if applicable)) into account if those events happened up until 7 calendar days before submitting the Release.
For example:
A container was discharged (Terminal Discharge) on September 1st at 02h00.
If the Commercial Release is submitted by the Shipping Agent before September 8th at 02h00, the terminal discharge event is applied to that commercial release.
If the Commercial Release is submitted after this time, the discharge is considered to be invalid and the Release is created with a gray Terminal Discharge Light (meaning no information has been received yet).
This functionality was implemented to prevent the creation of "orphaned" container events and the possibility that container events are linked to the wrong Commercial Release.
Note: the above is only applicable when container events are submitted BEFORE the Commercial Release is received by CPu. When the Commercial Release is submitted first (before the vessel has arrived), all events will be applied to that Release as they are received.