First blockchain container shipped to Port of Rotterdam from Korea
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, the Netherlands via Port of Rotterdam.
July 01, 2019: Through blockchain-based platform DELIVER, 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, the Netherlands via Port of Rotterdam.
ABN AMRO, Port of Rotterdam and Samsung SDS demonstrated that blockchain technology can enable interoperability, integrated container tracking and tracing, cargo documentation processing and financing in a trusted and secured way.
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 PoC 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.
According to 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 a cargo recipient, we benefitted from real-time information and advance availability of digitised 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."
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.
Trade flows are often collateral for corporate loans. Edwin van Bommel, chief innovation officer at ABN AMRO, said, "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 a 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 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.''
With the PoC phase behind us, 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.
