Koos Rodenberg

‘Informing our clients better and faster’
At the end of April, APL Logistics was the first forwarder to connect up to Portbase’s ECS services via EDI. ‘The big advantage is that we can now follow online what happens to the cargo after our export declaration has been submitted,’ says Koos Rodenberg, APL Logistics’ enthusiastic Customs manager for the Benelux. ‘In the past, it was just a case of waiting until Customs cleared the declaration. Now we can see at any time which declarations are still open and what the status of the cargo at the terminal is. Based on that information, we can decide whether action is required. We are also able to keep our clients better informed, and pass on information to them sooner, and we aren’t dependent on third parties for this anymore.’

Integrated with in-house computer system
APL Logistics integrated the ECS services into its in-house computer system via the company’s software supplier Softpak. Says Rodenberg, ‘Straight after submitting an export declaration, our employees only need to fill in two extra fields. Then we’ve done everything that’s needed for the ECS notification to Portbase’.

Significant importance to clients
'What is more', says Rodenberg, 'the moment the vessel sails out of the port with your container, the ECS services allow you to get a conformation of exit straight from customs. This is of significant importance to our clients. In the Netherlands you may be able to use books and records to show that the argo has left the EU, but it works very differtently in other countries'.