The first paperless, instantly financed and fully door-to-door tracked container made its way from Korea to the warehouse of Samsung SDS in Tilburg via Port of Rotterdam on Blockchain-based platform DELIVER.
ABN AMRO, Port of Rotterdam and Samsung SDS demonstrated that blockchain technology enables interoperability, and that integrated container tracking and tracing, required cargo documentation processing and financing can all be done in a trusted, secure and paperless way.
New technologies such as blockchain have the potential to take over supply chain management entirely and disrupt traditional ways of working. As demonstrated in a Proof of Concept (PoC), a comprehensive supply chain management system with paperless integration of physical, administrative and financial flows is now truly feasible. The DELIVER concept fuels process automation and provides value for all actors in the supply chain.
The DELIVER concept
The Proof of Concept has shown that DELIVER can support cross-supply chain end-to-end visibility for multi-modal cargo transport via ocean carrier, truck and inland barge shipping, as well as streamline access to finance.
The interoperability between physical and blockchain platforms enables an international trade ecosystem that allows safe sharing of commercial, sensitive and confidential information, and transfer of ownership between supply chain participants.
According to Mr Robert van der Waal, Deputy President of Samsung SDS EU/CIS, DELIVER has clearly demonstrated its significant potential. “The first shipments to use the platform gave us a good insight into the possibilities of large-scale implementation. As cargo recipient, we benefitted from real-time information and advance availability of digitized cargo documentation. We can re-design our processes more efficiently, enabling us to act based on real-time events and trusted data. Ultimately, this will strengthen our service proposition to customers.”
Trade flows are often collateral for corporate loans. Mr Edwin van Bommel, Chief Innovation Officer at ABN AMRO: “We are strongly committed to helping our clients fully automate their trade flow processes. All parties involved in the trade flow will benefit from more effective controls, greater efficiency, transparency and traceability.’’
As logistics service provider, Barge Terminal Tilburg organised and executed the haulage of the sea container from the Port of Rotterdam to the warehouse in Tilburg. Terminal Manager, Mr Iwan Maessen, stated: “The platform enables our company to use a uniform communications strategy to receive and share accurate information among supply chain members and use this to make better demand forecast decisions and identify the most suitable transportation mode for delivery.’’
Next steps
With the Proof of Concept phase behind them, partners ABN AMRO, Port of Rotterdam and Samsung SDS have signed an extended collaboration agreement for the next phase of the DELIVER project. The goal of this new phase is to conduct pilot projects with multiple shippers from various industries operating in different trade lanes.
The ultimate objective is to reach an open, independent and global cargo shipping platform. This will enhance supply chain transparency and efficiency, potentially unlocking millions of euros in cost savings in the long term, highlighted a release.
