Dear Sir or Madam,

On October 4, 2025, changes will be introduced to the process of handling empty containers in the VBS system.

From that date, vehicles delivering or collecting empty containers will be required to register in advance in the VBS system.

The inclusion of empty containers in the VBS system will allow for better forecasting of the number of vehicles and will improve the organization of work at the Baltic Hub terminal, which will translate into greater efficiency in the handling of trucks.

Until now, operations with empty containers were not subject to notification, which resulted in their unplanned and uncontrolled arrival at the terminal.

The VBS system will provide a separate pool of slots (“EMPTY”) for the notification of vehicles handling only empty containers.

In the case of mixed transactions (i.e., unloading an empty container and loading a full one), the system will automatically provide a standard pool of slots (“STANDARD”).

The delivery of empty containers will require the shipowner to make a notification in the Navis system. The shipowner will choose between the following two options:

• Notification by container number, where all container data will be completed by the shipowner (as in the case of an export container)

  or

• Notification to the ERO number, where the shipowner will create a reference order number based solely on the type/size of the container. Details such as the container number or ISO type will be assigned by the OCR system and confirmed by the driver at the first self-service kiosk.

PICKING UP empty containers will require the shipowner to make a notification in the Navis system, i.e., as before, to create an EDO or Booking. After the shipping line has created a notification in the Navis system, it will be possible for the driver/carrier to make a notification in the VBS system.

A detailed description of the notification process is presented in an instructional video (LINK) and in training materials (LINK), available to all users.