Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express newest to adopt TradeLens blockchain platform

July 2, 2019: Carrier Hapag-Lloyd and Singapore-based Ocean Network Express (ONE) Pte. Ltd will get onboard the blockchain-enabled digital shipping platform TradeLens, jointly developed by A.P. Moller - Maersk and IBM.

Hapag-Lloyd and ONE will each operate a blockchain node, participate in consensus to validate transactions, host data, and assume a critical role of acting as Trust Anchors, or validators, for the network. Both companies will be represented on the TradeLens Advisory Board, which will include members across the supply chain to advise on standards for neutrality and openness.

"Expanding digital collaboration is critical to the evolution of the container shipping industry," said Martin Gnass, managing director information technology at Hapag-Lloyd.

TradeLens was launched to help modernise the world's supply chain ecosystems. It enables participants to digitally connect, share information and collaborate across the shipping supply chain ecosystem. Members of TradeLens gain a comprehensive view of their data and can collaborate as cargo moves around the world, helping create a transparent, secured, immutable record of transactions.

CMA CGM and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company recently announced that they are joining TradeLens. TradeLens customers have access to major carriers in all three leading global vessel sharing alliances on the platform.

"TradeLens has made significant progress in launching a much-needed transformation in the industry, including its partnership model. Now, with five of the world's six largest carriers committed to the platform, not to mention many other ecosystem participants, we can collectively accelerate that transformation to provide greater trust, transparency and collaboration across supply chains and help promote global trade," added Gnass.

The attributes of blockchain technology are ideally suited for large networks of disparate partners. Blockchain establishes a shared, immutable record of all the transactions that take place within a network and enables permissioned parties access to secured data in real time.

"Blockchain for the enterprise is solving previously unsolvable problems," said Bridget van Kralingen, senior vice president, global industries, clients, platforms & blockchain, IBM. "Through improved trust, simplicity and improved insight into provenance, blockchain solutions such as TradeLens are delivering proven value across business processes for our clients and their ecosystems. Massive new efficiencies in global trade are now possible and we're seeing similar effects across the food industry, mining, trade finance, banking and other industries where the value of blockchain is more apparent than ever before."

Hapag-Lloyd has a fleet of 235 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 1.7 million TEU. ONE was incepted on July 7, 2017 following the liner service integrations of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" LINE), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK).