Europe's first fully automated ISPS quay.

On October 2, 2025, the official opening of the new autonomous ISPS access system by Ship2Port — an innovation by Royal Dirkzwager — took place on the quay of A. Nobel & Zn. The festive inauguration was conducted in cooperation with Mayor Leon Anink and Alderman Tycho Jansen of the Municipality of Zwijndrecht, in the presence of various guests from the maritime sector and members of the press.

The opening speech was given by Aart Nobel, Managing Director of A. Nobel & Zn. In his address, Aart emphasized that the Nobel quay has been ISPS-certified for over fifteen years. However, due to stricter laws and regulations, the company is now required to implement additional security measures.

The Nobel quay is known for its central location and excellent accessibility — a reputation the company aims to maintain, not only for seagoing vessels but also for inland shipping and the many visitors to its shop, warehouse, and offices.

With the introduction of the new ISPS access system by Ship2Port and the separation between the three ISPS terminals, the quay retains its accessible character while further enhancing safety and efficiency whenever a seagoing vessel is moored.
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"One seagoing vessel temporarily moored at the quay shouldn't immediately turn the entire site into a completely locked-down area," said Aart Nobel.

After the opening speech, Joan Blaas (Managing Director of Royal Dirkzwager) and Nicolas Maes (Head of Product & IT) gave an in-depth demonstration of the Ship2Port application, with a focus on the innovative ISPS access system.

Step by step, they showed how a registration is made for one of the three quay locations, how agents and Nobel can approve the request, and how crew members, visitors, and suppliers can easily gain access to the correct quay location and vessel using Face ID technology through a single mobile app.

After the demonstration, the group moved to the ISPS terminal at Nobel's bunker station. There, Mayor Leon Anink delivered an inspiring speech about the positive impact of this new system on the maritime sector, in which Nobel once again proves to be a frontrunner in digital innovation.

Alderman Tycho Jansen also emphasized the importance of this development for both seagoing and inland shipping.

Following the speech, Mayor Leon Anink, along with directors Joan Blaas and Aart Nobel, gathered around a large red button. After a joint countdown, the button was pressed, setting off a festive burst of confetti — officially marking the launch of Ship2Port at Nobel.

Once again, Nobel makes a genuine contribution to the safety, efficiency, and quality of the maritime sector.

During the event, several media outlets were present, including World Cargo News, De Binnenvaartkrant, Flows, and Nieuwsblad Transport. They reported immediately afterward on the significance of this innovation for the industry.

De Binnenvaartkrant described how the system ensures that port locations and vessels comply with international ISPS regulations — thanks to a fully digital and unmanned access system featuring QR boarding passes, facial recognition, and remote registration.

"That A. Nobel & Zn. is the first to implement Ship2Port is no coincidence. The company has often been ahead of the curve — it was also the first bunkering company to supply LNG," De Binnenvaartkrant reported.

World Cargo News emphasized that Ship2Port is the first system in Europe to link real-time vessel data with digital identity verification and biometric control, making gate procedures both safer and more efficient.

"The launch at Nobel marks an important milestone for both parties," World Cargo News reported.

The Belgian trade journal Flows focused on the implementation of the new ISPS gates at A. Nobel & Zn., where three authorized access points have been equipped with the Ship2Port platform.

"At A. Nobel & Zn., three ISPS-compliant terminal gates have now been installed. These operate in conjunction with software from Royal Dirkzwager's Ship2Port platform, supported in part by a satellite connection," Flows reported.

Nobel is always on the move. In a sector where safety, efficiency, and regulations are constantly evolving, the company continues to seek smarter and safer ways to organize its processes. Innovation is not a goal in itself, but a natural result of the drive to improve every single day — for customers, suppliers, and the maritime industry as a whole.

The introduction of the new ISPS access system, developed in collaboration with Ship2Port, is a great example of that. Where access control used to involve numerous manual steps, waiting times, and around-the-clock staffing, this digital solution now offers a streamlined and autonomous process.

Through facial recognition, digital verification, and real-time vessel data, safety is not only enhanced but also accelerated and simplified. Thanks to this approach, Nobel's quay remains both central and accessible — just as customers and visitors are accustomed to — while the company simultaneously meets the highest international safety standards.

Whether it's fuel, filtration, ship equipment, or quay facilities, Nobel continues to invest in smart solutions that drive the maritime industry forward. With every new challenge, Nobel brings its vision to life: "The finest voyage to the future"