For many terminals, ISPS compliance has long been a necessary but costly and complex requirement. Manual checks, paperwork and 24/7 staffing have made secure access both time-consuming and expensive.
Nobel faced the same challenge: how to maintain the highest safety standards without compromising accessibility for its many customers, suppliers and inland shipping partners.

“One visiting seagoing vessel shouldn’t turn the entire terminal into a locked-down site,” said Aart Nobel, Managing Director of A. Nobel & Zn.

Together with Royal Dirkzwager, Nobel found the answer in Ship2Port’s new access control system.
The fully digital process allows crew, agents and visitors to register remotely via the Ship2Port app, receive a digital boarding pass with QR code, and complete a biometric Face ID check at the gate — all in a matter of seconds.

• Fully compliant with ISPS regulations
• No on-site security staff required
• Shorter processing times and fewer manual steps
• Audit-proof and cost-efficient
• Real-time vessel integration for smarter planning

The system operates on a secure, isolated network designed with strong cybersecurity measures — an essential aspect of Ship2Port’s platform.

“With this innovation we prove that digitalisation and safety can go hand in hand,” said Joan Blaas, CEO of Royal Dirkzwager. “Terminals save time and costs while improving security.”

Nobel’s terminal now features three independent ISPS-compliant gates — at the riverside quay, bunker station and Uilenhaven — each equipped with the unmanned system.
When an ISPS-regulated vessel approaches within 400 metres, the relevant gate automatically locks down, ensuring full compliance. Other areas, such as the warehouse and office, remain freely accessible to customers and suppliers.

This setup preserves Nobel’s hallmark hospitality while introducing a new level of automation and control.
During the live demonstration at the launch event, visitors saw how digital requests and approvals are handled seamlessly through the app, from ID verification to access confirmation.

The innovation received wide coverage in the maritime press.
World Cargo News highlighted how the integration of real-time vessel data with biometric access sets a new benchmark for port security.
De Binnenvaartkrant noted that Nobel’s deployment shows digitalisation and compliance can coexist — saving time, improving safety and keeping ports accessible.

“By combining advanced digital tools with practical port operations, we’re setting a new standard for the maritime sector,” added Nicolas Maes, Head of Product & IT at Royal Dirkzwager.

The unmanned access system marks an important step in Royal Dirkzwager’s mission to make ports smarter, safer and more sustainable.
Ship2Port already facilitates over 500,000 terminal visits annually, and its new access module is designed to scale easily for terminals worldwide.

For A. Nobel & Zn., the project reinforces a long tradition of innovation — from being the first bunker company to supply LNG to now pioneering digital ISPS compliance.

“Innovation is part of who we are,” said Aart Nobel. “With Ship2Port, we can keep our terminal secure, efficient and welcoming — just as our customers expect.”