consultant: Wesley Bervoets and Zjef Audenaert – we+ Benelux
Demand
In the maritime logistics industry, many operational processes remain manual or disconnected — from document handling and voyage coordination to terminal planning. At the Port of Antwerp, this fragmentation creates real-world challenges: misplaced paperwork, inefficiencies between captains and terminal operators, and logistical delays that compromise both compliance and service quality.
DirectPort emerged as a response to this reality — a digital platform designed to centralize vessel and terminal operations into a single, user-friendly solution. Its ambition was broad: enable real-time voyage tracking, document management, emissions reporting and operational planning — all within one platform.
By the time we+ Benelux was approached, DirectPort’s development had been underway for over a year. However, progress stalled due to limited internal resources and the departure of a key developer. The client urgently needed technical reinforcement capable of accelerating delivery without compromising quality.
Design
we+ partnered with DirectPort to take ownership of a product that needed both technical stability and alignment with real field usage.
The design approach was guided by a fundamental principle:
Build a platform that reflects how port professionals work in practice, not just how systems were originally conceived.
To support this, we+ emphasized:
-
Real-world feedback loops - frequent on-site visits to the Port of Antwerp allowed the team to observe terminal operations first-hand and gather feedback directly from captains and operators.
-
User-driven experience - the platform was shaped around daily user tasks, such as accessing documents and tracking voyages, rather than generic maritime system paradigms.
-
Flexibility under the hood - technology choices aimed to balance performance with adaptability, using modern frameworks and backend services.
The mission was not simply to write code, but to align the platform with the real workflow of terminal operators, captains and port owners.
Deliver
we+ integrated deeply with the DirectPort team and key partners to rebuild and deliver the most critical components of the platform:
Rebuilding vessel tracking
Previous attempts at vessel tracking lacked the reliability and precision required for operational use. we+ rebuilt this feature from the ground up, achieving real-time coordination with up to 750 meters accuracy and refresh intervals of every two minutes - a level of performance crucial for live port operations.
Document generation engine
Managing cargo-related documentation (often handled on paper, fax or fragmented digital systems) was a major pain point. we+ implemented a fully integrated document engine so captains and terminal users can instantly access and share required paperwork, fully linked to voyage and terminal context.
Mobile accessibility for captains
The solution includes a mobile interface tailored to captains’ needs. From this app, users can:
-
track routes and upcoming stops
-
view and share critical documents
-
access contact info for terminals
-
receive notifications for voyage updates
Terminal operations dashboard
On the terminal side, users can manage inventories, plan operations, generate contracts and monitor emissions and demurrage calculations all from a unified web interface.
The stack - built with tools such as Supabase and React - offered the necessary flexibility and speed, even in areas where the technology was initially unfamiliar.
Drive
The renewed Digital Journey platform is now fully operational and delivering tangible value:
-
Daily use by captains and terminal owners - core features are being adopted consistently in real operational contexts.
-
Improved operational transparency - key tasks, from voyage planning to emissions reporting, are consolidated and accessible.
-
Strong early customer satisfaction - feedback from early adopters highlights the platform’s practical utility and the speed of delivery.
-
Foundation for scale - conversations are underway for onboarding additional customers and expanding functionality.
According to we+ consultant Wesley Bervoets, the project is not only technically complete but meaningfully aligned with real work patterns - from tracking precision to document sharing - proving the value of a user-centric, agile approach in a complex logistics environment.
