consultant: Wesley Bervoets and Zjef Audenart – we+ Benelux
Context: A Fragmented Operational Landscape
In the maritime logistics industry, many operational processes are still handled manually or through disconnected systems. Captains carry paperwork by hand, documents get lost, operations are delayed, and communication between terminal owners and vessel operators is inefficient. This fragmentation creates real-world issues, from compliance risks to logistical disputes, especially around sensitive aspects such as demurrage laws, cargo authorization, and emissions reporting.
DirectPort emerged to respond to this reality. It is a digital platform designed to centralize terminal and vessel operations into a single, user-friendly solution. From voyage tracking to document management and operational planning, DirectPort aims to be the backbone of port activity in Antwerp, and eventually across other European terminals.
Initial Needs and Why we+ Benelux Was Called In
When we+ Benelux was approached, the DirectPort application had already been in development for more than a year. However, the initiative was struggling to move forward. The internal team had only two developers, one of whom had left, leaving the client in urgent need of skilled reinforcements to meet its go-live timeline.
Our involvement came partly through an existing relationship between the founders of FractionX (working with DirectPort) and one of our consultants, which created trust from the outset. But more importantly, we+ was selected for our ability to quickly provide technically skilled consultants who could take over, rethink, and deliver high-quality results without delay.
Understanding the Mission: Build a Platform That Matches the Field Reality
The challenge wasn’t just about writing code. The platform is being developed thanks to the support of Schelde-natie, they have a deep understanding how terminal operators and captains’ work. Directport would like to help making their work less painful. Captains can use the mobile app to easily access the necessary documents. Terminal operators have an overview of what operations are planned and terminal owner can manage the application to keep track of all the voyages, vessels, products, emission, documents and more.
We regularly went on-site to the Port of Antwerp and worked closely with Schelde-Natie, one of the platform’s main early partners and a key operator of port terminals. These field visits gave us direct access to feedback from terminal owners and captains—those who would ultimately use the platform. We asked them to test the application in real-world scenarios and tell us what worked, what didn’t, and what was missing.
This fieldwork approach was instrumental in aligning the product with actual business needs and setting it apart from other generic maritime solutions.
A Complete Overhaul: From Tracking to Documentation
One of the most technically demanding aspects was the vessel tracking system. The application had already seen three attempts at building this feature, all of which failed to provide the reliability or accuracy required. We rebuilt it from scratch. The result: a tracking solution that can locate vessels with up to 750 meters of precision and updates every 2 minutes—crucial for real-time port coordination.
We also created a fully integrated document generation engine, allowing captains and terminals to instantly access and share necessary paperwork. This was especially important for cargo delivery authorizations, which vary significantly from country to country and are often still handled on paper or by fax. In the current system, documents are linked to specific terminals and voyages, and captains can present them from a mobile app that synchronizes with the central platform.
A Mobile-Ready Platform for Daily Use
The web platform is complemented by a mobile version designed specifically for captains. Through this application, they can:
- Track their routes and upcoming stops
- View and share required documents
- Access contact information for each terminal
- Receive notifications about new voyages or schedule updates
On the terminal side, users can manage silo inventories, set operational schedules, generate contracts, and analyze CO₂ emissions for compliance reporting. The platform also supports demurrage tracking and profit calculations based on voyage data.
All of this is built on a stack using Supabase and React, which offered flexibility and speed despite initial unfamiliarity with Supabase.
Another section about sharing resources across tenants could also be nice. For example, a Cargill works often together with Schelde-natie and has a voyage from a Cargill managed terminal to a Schelde-natie managed terminal. Thanks to our resource sharing schelde-natie gets notified that a voyage will arrive at their terminal with prefilled Cargil data.
Results: A Strong Foundation and a Satisfied Client
Thanks to our involvement, DirectPort now has a fully functional, widely usable application that solves real problems. The platform is already live with its first major customer, and talks are underway to onboard several more. Clients report strong satisfaction, not only with the platform’s capabilities, but with the pace of delivery and our consultants’ ability to demonstrate and adapt the tool in front of end users.
According to Wesley Bervoets:
“Captains and terminal owners are using the app daily, and it’s rewarding to know we’ve made something that really works in their environment. From the complexity of tracking to emissions reporting and document sharing, this was one of the most complete and challenging projects I’ve worked on.”
What Comes Next
we+ Benelux continues to support DirectPort with technical improvements, feature development, and strategic input. Discussions are ongoing to extend the partnership, possibly involving more senior technical profiles to support scaling efforts and international rollout.
A new release strategy is being considered to make updates more seamless and better tailored to client feedback. We are also exploring ways to simplify data import from external systems for new customers and improve platform onboarding.
Key Takeaway
DirectPort stands today as a mature and field-ready platform that not only meets the needs of terminal operators and captains but also demonstrates how user-centric design and agile consulting can solve complex challenges in the logistics and maritime industry. Thanks to our technical expertise and human approach, we+ Benelux has helped turn an ambitious idea into a working reality—one terminal at a time at a time.