The terminal operator Eurogate is introducing a new process for the pickup and delivery of containers at its facility in the Port of Hamburg on Wednesday, March 20th. The physical trucker card, which truck drivers have used to register at the terminal until now, will gradually be replaced by a digital solution provided by the startup company Conroo. Additionally, the existing mobile app of the startup will be supplemented with a new function called “Gate Pass” for processes at the seaport terminals.

“For Eurogate, the app represents a significant simplification of the process for both the truckers and our terminals, while simultaneously significantly increasing security,” explained Michael Blach, Chairman of the Group Management Board at Eurogate, justifying the decision for the new procedure.

The digital solution aims to prevent the transfer of entry authorization, as was quite common among drivers with the physical card, by requiring truckers to personally verify themselves in the app. This is intended to enhance the security of the process. Furthermore, the developers promise more efficient and environmentally friendly procedures at the terminal, as drivers should be able to save stops and approaches through the digital solution.

Companies in the port are divided on the solution. In conversations with the DVZ, individual freight forwarders who participated in the testing phase of the Conroo app generally welcome process improvements and higher security standards. At the same time, they note that different (digital) solutions entail more effort and higher costs for drivers and companies. In addition to the app for the Eurogate terminal, competitor HHLA offers a similar solution called “Passify” for its terminals. Furthermore, there are sometimes different programs from individual depots as well as apps from the freight forwarders themselves. Therefore, companies are calling for a unified solution for the entire port.

The creators of Conroo explain that as a neutral provider, they pursue exactly this goal and emphasize that their app is already used at various hinterland locations such as the KV terminals of DUSS. Recently, the digital process has also become available at the depot of Eurogate subsidiary Remain in the Port of Hamburg.