Making terminals more accessible

Founders like Marcel are always ready for an elevator pitch. When asked how his startup, passify, stands out, he confidently replies: “We offer a solution that makes access to logistics terminals simpler and much more secure. Our software is also fully integrated into terminal processes, optimizing resource planning.”

Using the Passify app is straightforward. Truck drivers register through the app and input their transport details. They then receive step-by-step instructions for navigating the terminal, without needing to leave their vehicles or present any paperwork. The app now supports 12 languages. If instructions like “Pick up container at storage block 7” are displayed on the mobile devices and the drivers have any questions, they can ask them in their preferred language through the app, which is crucial for the many international drivers arriving at the Port of Hamburg.

We want our users to feel that we know what works in trucking and port industries.

Maintaining constant contact with both truck drivers and dispatchers is key for Marcel. Initially, there was some skepticism, but this direct feedback is essential for improving the app. “We want our users to feel that we understand how the industry works. I’m not one of those developers who codes in isolation. I love interacting with people,” Marcel says.

In recent years, he has had many opportunities to do just that. Since starting to develop his idea in 2023 as a venture builder within HHLA’s Next innovation and investment unit, Marcel has taken on multiple roles. When Passify spun off in 2024, he became a co-founder and recalls: “I’ve been busy ever since, take on several jobs simultaneously as well as customer support, which the whole team does. Now I’m really proud of our team for launching so successfully!” The app works smoothly in huge container terminals and with full loads, and is already being tested outside HHLA at a smaller facility in Romania.

Marcel is now Managing Director and wants to expand and hire new people for his team. That requires a real entrepreneurial spirit: “We want to remain open to new things. We started small, but our suite of products is now larger that we first thought, and we are constantly adding new functions to serve different groups of users.”