In the coming weeks, the IRP project team will, in consultation with customers, scale up volumes for all segments (containers, RORO, ferry, and breakbulk). Initially, this will be done with transshipment volumes, added with import shipments. This will allow the community to get used to this new way of working and, from 1 December 2025, also fully register local shipments in PN/TS. This means that everyone involved in the declaration process where maritime cargo manifests are discharged will, from then on, be dealing with TSD cargo manifests. We therefore once again strongly recommend that all these companies prepare thoroughly.
During the test phase, significant volumes have already been handled via IRP:
– 11 terminals in Zeebrugge, Ghent and Antwerp are fully live
– 219,000 discharge messages were processed via IRP in October
– 13 shipping agents have started PN/TS operations via IRP
– 6,351 Temporary Storage Declarations (TSDs) were submitted via the platform in October
The final major transition now lies mainly with logistics service providers operating in the hinterland.
Testing in different scenarios confirmed that both IRP and the integrations with CPu and the relevant customs systems are technically and operationally ready. In the coming weeks, volumes will be further scaled up, beginning with transshipment shipments and later import shipments. This phased approach helps the sector become familiar with the new workflow, so that from 1 December 2025 all local shipments can be fully registered via PN/TS.
With IRP, the digital processing of import, transshipment and transit flows in all Belgian seaports becomes faster, more secure and more transparent. The platform connects all stakeholders in the logistics chain and helps companies apply the new European customs rules correctly and efficiently — strengthening the entire port community with a future-proof system.
