Improving Traceability in Time-Critical Seafood Logistics: Zeelandia van Belzen

Zeelandia van Belzen is a wholesale distributor of fresh and live fish products based out of Krefeld, Germany. Operating 24/7 to receive shipments from around the world, the company delivers fresh and live fish products in time-critical conditions.

We spoke to Peter Kovacs, Logistics Manager, about scaling seafood deliveries while working against the clock.

Challenges

“For us, time is a luxury we don’t have.”

With 17-20 tons of goods moving daily and minimal warehousing time, Zeelandia van Belzen faced unique logistics challenges that needed custom solutions.

1. Complex delivery locations

Many customer sites have non-obvious entrances or specific access instructions (e.g., side gates, shared industrial zones). Communicating this knowledge consistently to 30 drivers became difficult. Keeping track of route-specific details got overwhelming even for dispatchers.

2. Disputes & misdeliveries

Like many logistics operations, Zeelandia van Belzen faced disputes such as missing boxes, partial deliveries, or goods delivered to the wrong customer. Resolving issues relied on paper notes and phone calls. Locating products was slow and sometimes impossible, resulting in product waste or costly route duplications.

“To locate a missing product, we had a chance of almost zero.”

 3. Time-sensitive returns

Returns are especially critical in seafood logistics. A returned package with fresh and sometimes live seafood must be assessed immediately to determine whether it is resellable the next day. Delays of even a few hours can result in product waste.

4. Paperwork & communication overload

Tracking deliveries, resolving disputes, and managing returns required significant manual communication and administrative effort. As paper delivery notes accumulated and client-dispatcher-driver phone calls multiplied, internal communication became overwhelming.

5. Vehicle maintenance records

The company has a fleet of 30 vehicles that require regular maintenance. The Fleet Manager works together with dealerships and mechanics, making sure all trucks are kept in excellent condition. The information regarding vehicles needed centralized storage to keep all records up to date and in sync.

Solutions

Zeelandia van Belzen implemented Track-POD to centralize delivery management and improve operational visibility.

“Keep track of goods and keep track of the drivers.”

1. Proof of Delivery with photos

Drivers capture photos of delivered goods, including labels and packaging. Combined with the company’s own packing videos, this creates full traceability from warehouse to customer.

2. Route history & client records

Dispatchers can quickly filter delivery history by client or route, helping drivers understand site-specific instructions and reducing confusion and mistakes.

3. Misdelivery tracking

When a product is delivered incorrectly, delivery history and photographic evidence allow the team to identify exactly where the item went and instruct drivers to retrieve it efficiently.

4. Return documentation

Photo documentation of returned goods allows immediate quality assessment, enabling faster resale decisions and minimizing fish product waste.

5. Vehicle Check

The company implemented the Vehicle Check workflow that allows drivers to perform the required vehicle inspection before and after each route, reporting on the truck condition and documenting issues, if any. The checklist includes photos and comments, which are immediately visible to the Fleet Manager who can take action promptly and schedule maintenance on time.

Results

Since implementing Track-POD, the impact has been significant even though Zeelandia van Belzen is still in the early stages of adoption.

• 80% faster error location

While human mistakes still occur, the ability to locate misdelivered goods has improved by 80%. Previously, identifying the issue required making multiple phone calls. Now, delivery photos and history provide instant clarity.

• 98% dispute resolution success rate

With proper documentation, disputes can be clarified quickly and confidently. What once relied on trust and paper notes is now backed by visual evidence and clear records.

“To retrieve lost products it’s amazing.”

• Reduced risk of lost goods

Misdeliveries that would previously “fly under the radar” are now traceable and recoverable. Product waste is minimal and reselling decisions can be made instantly.

• Time saved on scheduling maintenance

The Fleet Manager remarks that since implementing the Vehicle Check feature, a lot of time has been saved on scheduling truck maintenance. Having all photos and comments in one place makes it easy and efficient to check for issues and communicate with mechanics.

• Strong vendor partnership

Zeelandia van Belzen has already inspired several product updates by requesting features that weren’t available in Track-POD. This results in a collaborative, win-win relationship.

“If the function does not exist, we ask and it’s created in the next 2 weeks.”

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand analytics usage and activate automated customer notifications, further reducing paperwork and internal communication.

“We’re always amazed how much you can see in Track-POD. We learn every day.”

We are proud to support Zeelandia van Belzen's growth in the challenging landscape of seafood logistics. If you’d like to explore the Track-POD system and see how it would solve your business challenges, start your free trial now.