The first fully automated ISPS access system.

For more than 15 years, the quay of A. Nobel & Zn. has been ISPS-certified. However, as laws and regulations have become increasingly stringent in recent years, Nobel was required to implement additional security measures.

While ISPS certification enhances safety for both crew and terminal personnel, agents and captains alike know that the accompanying regulations can significantly increase administrative workload. Granting access and efficiently managing loading and unloading can therefore become cumbersome and time-consuming. Moreover, the costs are substantial, as compliance with ISPS regulations has so far required the continuous deployment of security personnel.

At the same time, Nobel's quay is known for being highly central and easily accessible — a reputation the company was determined to maintain. Not only for seagoing vessels, but also for inland shipping, which is not subject to ISPS regulations, and for the many visitors who come to Nobel's shop, warehouse, and offices each week.

This led Nobel to ask itself an important question: How can we simplify the ISPS process without compromising European security measures — while maintaining accessibility and hospitality on our quay, and keeping our ISPS certification intact?

The solution was found in collaboration with Ship2Port, a division of Royal Dirkzwager. Together, Ship2Port and Nobel developed an fully automated ISPS access system, implemented on Nobel's quay. Through this system, visitors, suppliers, and crew members can easily gain access to the terminal using just an internet connection and their phone.

Ship2Port developed an app that allows users to request access to one of Nobel's three specific ISPS quays: the river quay, the bunker station, or the Uilenhaven. Once the request is approved by both the agent and Nobel, a digital boarding pass with a QR code is issued, granting entry and exit to the terminal.

To use the QR code, an additional Face ID verification step confirms that the person making the request matches the identity documents previously submitted. This extra verification is fully automated and takes no more than three seconds.

The result: no more unnecessary paperwork, phone calls, or manual registrations — everything is handled through one clear and efficient app. As Nobel likes to say, borrowing a well-known quote from the Dutch Tax Authority: "We can't make it more fun, but we can make it easier."

Sometimes, when certain regulations are unavoidable, the best approach is to make compliance as smooth and manageable as possible. With this introduction, Nobel has the honor of being the first company in Europe to implement Ship2Port's fully automated ISPS terminal system.

The new system goes beyond simple access control. Nobel's three existing ISPS quays are now individually secured and enclosed with brand-new fencing and dedicated access gates for both individuals and vehicles.

Some customers and suppliers asked why not install one large gate at the main entrance of the quay. Nobel deliberately chose not to do so, as it would negatively impact the accessibility and hospitality for visitors who are not subject to ISPS regulations.

Instead, only the ISPS-designated quays have been enclosed. These now function as fully automated terminals, while Nobel's shipstore, warehouse, and offices remain freely accessible at all times — without the need for registration or prior notification.

As soon as an ISPS-regulated vessel enters within a 400-meter radius of the relevant ISPS quay and terminal, the gates automatically close, and registration and access control apply exclusively to that section of the quay.

Thanks to Ship2Port's innovative system, the captain, agent, and Nobel always have real-time insight into the arrival and presence of ISPS-regulated vessels, minimizing the chance of overlap with an inland vessel. If an inland vessel does happen to be present at the same time, Nobel's quay personnel are ready to coordinate the logistics efficiently. In this way, the limitations that a closed terminal (a fenced quay) might pose for inland shipping are kept to an absolute minimum.

Many seafaring customers are already familiar with Ship2Port, but the integration with a user-friendly app for ISPS terminals and Face ID technology is entirely new. To support this, Nobel and Ship2Port have developed clear user guides and an instructional video. They are confident that after using the system a few times, users will quickly experience its convenience.

With this innovation, ISPS no longer needs to be viewed as a time-consuming or costly obligation, but rather as a secure process that can be managed easily and efficiently through a smartphone.
Read more at anobel.com/isps

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At Nobel, finding the right solution is always the top priority. Even when certain challenges are unavoidable, the company looks for the approach that best serves both customer and supplier. Innovation plays a key role in this.

The new system developed in collaboration with Ship2Port is a perfect example — a practical solution that significantly simplifies and accelerates what was once a complex and time-consuming process. It aligns seamlessly with Nobel's vision: "The finest voyage to the future"

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