MOU between Singapore Customs and the Customs Administration of the Netherlands aims to enhance trade efficiency and supply chain visibility.

Singapore Customs and the Customs Administration of the Netherlands (CAN) have taken a significant step forward in international trade facilitation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 17 April 2024. This agreement, sealed by Mr. Lim Teck Leong, Deputy Director-General of Singapore Customs, and Mr. Frank Dijkstra, Chief Information Officer of CAN, paves the way for the development of a Container Track and Trace Service between the two countries.

This collaboration reflects the strengthening partnership aimed at making trade between Singapore and the Netherlands seamless, secure, and efficient. According to Mr. Lim, this joint effort will benefit traders from both nations by streamlining operations and boosting cross-border trade activities.

Mr. Dijkstra highlighted the MOU as a critical step in the ongoing collaboration between the two customs administrations, providing a legal framework for the sharing of customs data and enhancing trade facilitation. He expressed hopes for continued advancements in their cooperative efforts to achieve more seamless and trusted logistic flows.

The Container Track and Trace Service will integrate data from various sources, including port and terminal operations, along with customs-related events for shipments moving between the Port of Singapore and the Port of Rotterdam. Key stakeholders such as the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore, PSA Corporation Ltd, Port of Rotterdam, and Portbase are involved in ensuring that the integration allows for near real-time tracking of containerized shipments.

The service is designed to provide importers and exporters enhanced visibility over their cargo, enabling them to monitor its status and location throughout its journey. This increased transparency is expected to empower businesses to optimize their supply chain management, improve decision-making, and boost competitiveness in the global market.

Echoing the sentiment, Mr. Charles Lee, Ocean Product Head at Ceva Logistics Singapore Pte Ltd, noted that the Track and Trace Service on the Networked Trade Platform (NTP) fills a critical gap in the supply chain. He emphasized that real-time updates on container movements are a significant advantage for traders and supply-chain managers.

This new service marks Singapore’s second such agreement, following a similar arrangement with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China in 2022. That service, which enhances visibility between Singapore and ports in China, is set to expand to other Chinese ports in the near future.

Source – CUSTOMS