HAMBURG/TOKYO: July 02, 2019. Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express (ONE) are to join the blockchain-enabled digital shipping platform TradeLens, jointly developed by Maersk and IBM. The two carriers join CMA CGM and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company to include more than half of the world’s ocean container cargo.

The addition of the world’s fifth and sixth largest box carriers respectively will help drive further adoption of TradeLens now that customers have access to major carriers in all three leading global vessel-sharing alliances.

TradeLens members 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, according to IBM.

“Blockchain for the enterprise is solving previously unsolvable problems,” declared Bridget van Kralingen, IBM senior vice president Global Industries, Clients, Platforms & Blockchain. “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," she added.

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.