Al ruim 25 jaar werken Softpak en Secure Logistics samen aan veilige toegang tot terminals en warehouses. Van biometrische identiteitsverificatie en realtime certificaatcontrole tot slimme koppelingen met terminal- en warehouse managementsystemen. Wat op de werkvloer vanzelfsprekend lijkt, is het resultaat van een samenwerking die zich continu heeft ontwikkeld. Aniel Badri, Managing Director van Softpak, en Frank de Krou, Head of Commercial Affairs bij Secure Logistics, vertellen hoe die samenwerking achter de schermen het verschil maakt in de dagelijkse operatie.
Two specialisms that complement each other. When everything is running smoothly, you hardly notice it: drivers drive onto the site and loads are collected. Behind this seamless flow lies a tightly organised system. ‘We focus on everything that happens within the terminal and warehouses,’ says Aniel Badri. ‘But we don’t want to deal with all the administrative and safety aspects relating to the drivers. For that, we work with Secure Logistics. That’s exactly what they specialise in.’
Frank de Krou acknowledges this mutual reinforcement. ‘That interaction begins as soon as a driver checks in. The moment someone arrives at the gate, our systems exchange information in real time. This means we know straight away that their identity, authorisation and qualifications are correct. Once approved, the logistics process continues. It has become so routine that nobody even thinks about it anymore.’
The CargoCard gives drivers access to the site, either via fingerprint or facial recognition. Their identity is verified and the validity of their credentials is checked in real time, including certificates such as the VCA (Safety, Health and Environment Checklist for Contractors). ‘We started with the CargoCard specifically for drivers,’ explains De Krou. ‘that was the basis. The system has since expanded considerably, now including checks on gate instructions, ADR certificates, driving licences and access via QR codes.’
Due to the various legal and regulatory requirements and the different roles on site, additional solutions have been developed. For example, the PortKey is used by customs officers, inspectors and rowers, amongst others, whilst maintenance engineers and external parties use the Digital Safety Passport. This ensures that each target group is granted access based on their role and authorisations, without causing any delays to operations.
Integration with ProTerm, Softpak’s terminal operating system, ensures that access control and terminal logistics form a single, integrated system. A driver who checks in is immediately linked to the correct reference number and the corresponding load. Anyone who has not been pre-registered is simply not allowed in. For warehouses, the integration with ProStore offers new possibilities.
‘Think of a valuable consignment that needs to be collected,’ says Badri. ‘The consignment owner wants to be absolutely sure who is transporting their goods. By carrying out identity checks at the outset, you create a reliable and transparent logistics process.’ This upfront identity check is now also possible for occasional and rotating drivers. De Krou explains: ‘With the OneTime XS solution, even drivers who visit a warehouse just once or occasionally can be granted controlled access, without the need for a subscription. Verification takes place via a QR code that is valid for just 60 seconds, linked to a prior identity check.’
De Krou adds: ‘In Antwerp and Vlissingen, we are seeing cargo theft become a growing problem. At the same time, this is increasingly shifting towards the hinterland and smaller ports. If you make it more difficult for unauthorised people to access the collection process, you make the entire supply chain safer. That is exactly what this approach does.’
The close collaboration between Secure Logistics and Softpak creates a single, integrated ecosystem. Experience shows that the transition does not often have to be that complicated. Secure Logistics assesses the customer’s situation by asking specific questions about arrival, route planning and documentation, and feeds this information back to Softpak.
‘The connections are already in place, the interfaces are already in place,’ says Badri. ‘The only adjustments involve the necessary equipment on site. Beyond that, it’s purely a matter of implementation, not a development project.’ De Krou: ‘Customers often have no idea how quickly it can be done. It’s a pleasant surprise every single time.’
Badri is clear about what keeps the partnership going strong after all these years. ‘We adapt quickly and know exactly where to find one another. Communication is direct, and if something new comes up, we tackle it together straight away.’
Softpak and Secure Logistics now operate at various terminals and warehouses in the Netherlands and Belgium. These two companies have been working together for over twenty-five years and are far from finished. De Krou concludes: ‘Together, we’ve already made great strides in efficiency and safety, but we’re not there yet. That’s precisely why we’re constantly developing our services, so that we can continue to provide optimal support and take the pressure off our clients in these areas.’
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