The following article was originally published by WorldCargoNews on 11 June 2025 and is republished here in full with credit to the original source.
Dutch maritime data specialist Royal Dirkzwager has launched Ship2Port, a digital platform designed to streamline vessel access control and modernise compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) regulations.
The tool replaces outdated email and spreadsheet-based processes with a GDPR-compliant digital workflow, combining biometric ID verification, corporate access management, and app-based boarding passes. Features include personal data encryption, role-based access, and automatic purging of records after expiry.
Royal Dirkzwager said that over 500,000 ship visits are already processed annually via the system.
A platform born out of necessity
WorldCargo News spoke with Joan Blaas, CEO of Royal Dirkzwager and owner of ProMedia, the parent company of WorldCargo News. In the interview, Blaas said the product launch comes at a crucial time as ports face tighter security regulations and growing personnel challenges. Many terminals still handle ISPS access manually, he added, which are prone to errors and not designed to safeguard data privacy.
Blaas explained that in the current process, a surveyor submits a visit request via the agent, including passport data. The agent forwards the details to the terminal, where a security officer manually checks and stores the information. This approach falls short of the ISPS Code requirements, mandated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which demands robust access procedures for both terminals and ships.
“There’s a lot of trust, but little control,” he said. “We’ve created a platform that digitises the full ISPS chain.”
Royal Dirkzwager developed the Ship2Port platform in collaboration with authorities and industry associations in the Port of Rotterdam. “What began as a simple digital pre-notification tool has evolved into a comprehensive access and identity management system covering the full ISPS chain,” Blaas pointed out. Its latest evolution introduces full digital identity verification, biometric checks, and app-based boarding passes for all visitors.
From ID scan to boarding pass: A seamless digital journey
Blaas noted that by using the app, visitors follow a more secure and streamlined verification process:
- Free Visitor App: A visitor downloads the app and registers. Two-factor verification checks the visitor’s email address and mobile phone.
- Company Validation: Company details are cross-checked against global databases such as Dun & Bradstreet.
- Digital ID Verification: The visitor then scans their passport or ID card once, and data is automatically extracted using OCR.
- Selfie Check: Facial recognition verifies that the ID belongs to the visitor.
- Visit Registration: The visitor submits their ISPS ship visit request directly via the app.
The ISPS announcement, including all relevant details, is automatically forwarded to the agent and terminal. Approval is granted with a single click. Visitors then receive a digital boarding pass in the app, similar to an airline boarding pass, which they present upon arrival at the terminal.
Depending on the type of visit, additional questions may be asked (e.g., role, visit purpose), and document checks, such as safety certificates, can be automatically enforced.
For companies whose staff regularly board vessels, Ship2Port offers corporate accounts, enabling centralised user and access management with role-based permissions. This streamlines coordination, speeds registration, and ensures compliance with internal policies.
Oversight without headaches
“This is a huge leap forward for terminals,” says Blaas. “No more searching email folders for hard-to-pronounce names or incomplete data.” With the QR-based boarding pass, security staff instantly see who is authorised to access which vessel, and why, significantly reducing wait times and errors. Crucially, visitor approval by the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) is now separated from physical access control, allowing for more efficient and secure operations.
“Previously, this was often the same action, even though the responsibilities should be distinct,” Blaas explains. “Now, the PFSO can digitally approve access in advance, while guards simply verify QR codes at the gate.”
Blaas noted that by removing decision-making from the gate itself, the process is more secure, reducing last-minute pressure on guards and their exposure to potential undue influence.
Ship2Port is being adopted by several major terminals in the Port of Rotterdam, offering QR-code-based boarding passes and real-time visitor tracking. Blaas said that with real-time insight into who is on board, these terminals can gain better operational control and cut the time spent coordinating with agents and ships.
The system is also valuable for smaller terminals lacking the capacity to maintain 24/7 security staff.
Tightened enforcement on ISPS sites
The Port of Rotterdam Police has recently tightened enforcement on ISPS sites. Smaller terminals, which only occasionally handle seagoing vessels, often struggle to meet baseline requirements. Some terminals didn’t even have perimeter fencing, and for many of them, hiring 24/7 security staff is financially unviable.
“The costs simply can’t be recovered,” says Blaas.
To support this segment, Royal Dirkzwager introduced the ISPS Gate — a smart access solution equipped with cameras, digital ID checks, and full integration with the Ship2Port platform. Bunker terminal A. Nobel in Zwijndrecht was the first to implement the system. The terminal upgraded three ISPS locations with fencing, video surveillance, and ISPS Gates.
“Royal Dirkzwager appeared just at the right moment. We needed a solution for our unmanned ISPS terminal, and the ISPS Gate did exactly that,” terminal owner Aart Nobel explained. “The system is user-friendly and has drastically reduced our admin workload. Thanks to Ship2Port’s ISPS Gate, our terminal is now fully compliant with ISPS regulations despite its small size. Maintaining 24/7 on-site security was financially unviable, but this smart solution, combined with camera surveillance, enables us to operate safely and in full compliance at all times.”
>> Watch the ISPS Gate in action (1:14 min)
Access to the terminal is now fully digital and compliant with GDPR requirements, Royal Dirkzwager said. The company further explained that with clear, structured data-sharing between agents, terminals and security teams, the system makes it easier to track who’s coming on board and why, raising safety standards without the need to hire more personnel.
Benefits for shipowners
According to Royal Dirkzwager, shipowners stand to gain significantly from the system, which helps them meet their legal obligation to monitor who boards their vessels. The tool offers greater clarity on each visitor’s identity and purpose, making the Ship Security Officer’s (SSO) role more manageable and improving overall security oversight.
“With this technology, the captain and SSO always know who came aboard, when, and representing which company,” says Blaas. “That’s not just a security benefit — it’s essential for audit trails and insurance purposes.”
Scalable by design
Royal Dirkzwager’s rollout of the ISPS Gate sets the stage for future expansion, with planned modules to link the system to gate access controls, camera analytics and customs clearance platforms. “Digitising ISPS is no longer a luxury,” added Blaas. “It’s a necessary step for any port serious about safety, efficiency, and compliance.”
Ship2Port is currently active in multiple Dutch and Belgian ports and will continue its rollout across Europe in 2025. The company is inviting terminals and shipping companies to participate in pilots of the new ISPS tool. “We designed this platform to be scalable for any port — large or small,” concludes Blaas.
For more information, visit www.ship2port.com.
Royal Dirkzwager will exhibit at the upcoming events:
- TOC Europe | June 17–19, 2025
- Belgisch-Nederlandse Havendag | June 24, 2025