Inbound Release Platform connects port trade partners

2026 is set to be an important year for companies importing goods into the European Union. All parties involved will now be required to use a new notification system. The challenge is to ensure a smooth flow of cargo within this new legal framework. To simplify the process, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and its subsidiary NxtPortOpens a new window , in collaboration with The Way ForwardOpens a new window and Belgian customs, developed the Inbound Release PlatformOpens a new window .

Through the Inbound Release Platform, involved parties share all relevant information with the next partner in the logistics chain.

Geert Lambrechts, Senior Project Manager at NxtPort

Centralization and transparency

Geert Lambrechts from NxtPort explains: “The Inbound Release Platform (IRP) collects and centralizes the legally required information for goods imports into the EU. Data sharing is invaluable because a correct declaration involves multiple data elements. The IRP allows the parties involved to share all necessary details with the next partner in the logistics chain. Shipping agents, terminals, logistics providers, and customs services are all part of that ecosystem.”

The collaboration between various actors took both time and persuasion. “Each party had their own declaration processes. And they were all convinced that this method was best suited to their activities. We gained the necessary support by involving all stakeholders and establishing a standard that suited all activities.”

The issue of data confidentiality was another challenge. “Of course, we ensure that sensitive data does not leave the platform. In addition to these security measures, there was also the competitive aspect to consider. Companies within the same market segment are connected to the IRP. Naturally, they do not want to share insights into their business operations with each other. We organized various workshops to address these concerns.”

We kept three crucial elements in mind when developing the platform: scalability, cloud-first, and security by design.

Johannes Verhauwaert, Sales Executive at Codit

Future-proof development

NxtPort enlisted the help of CoditOpens a new window , a subsidiary of Proximus NXT, for the technological implementation of the IRP. Sales executive Johannes Verhauwaert from Codit kept three elements in mind: scalability, cloud first, and security by design. “Lots of companies are already active on the platform today, and the number is growing rapidly,” he says. “It may also expand to include export activities in the future. In addition, you cannot ignore the geopolitical volatility, which means that port activities are constantly changing. We therefore chose a platform that can handle these shifts.”

Codit opted for an architecture that is both modular and monolithic. “This approach allows of a breakdown into more finely meshed microservices, while all functionalities remain part of one large and coherent whole.” According to Johannes Verhauwaert, the cloud was a logical choice. “Hyperscalers are constantly introducing new innovations. The cloud gives you direct access to all applications.” Data security was an absolute must in the context of port trade. “We adhere to the Zero Trust principle. To give you an idea: we block more than 14,000 unauthorized requests every day.”

The entire platform is encrypted for maximum control. Codit applies the principle of continuous refactoring, or the continuous improvement of existing code, without fundamentally changing the code base. “With a strict and disciplined DevOps approach, we ensure that we continue to build the platform in a consistent manner. As a result, every developer knows exactly how the software works. This ensures consistency, speed, and the ability to quickly integrate innovations.”

When Johannes Verhauwaert talks about innovations, he quickly makes the link with artificial intelligence. “The IRP has already processed hundreds of thousands of transaction messages. That data also provides other insights, for example to predict where and when a ship will dock.”

Engagement by core users

Geert Lambrechts from NxtPort emphasizes the importance of active involvement by core users. “Once the required functionalities were defined, we started developing and implementing the happy flow approach. This involves outlining the simplest steps, exactly as the process runs when everything goes smoothly. We presented this flow to the core users each time, and they immediately identified areas for improvement. This enabled us to make rapid changes.”

Today, 90% of terminals, 80% of shipping agents, and numerous service providers are already connected to the IRP.