Data on nearly half of the world’s ocean container cargo is now available on TradeLens as global shipping leaders CMA CGM and MSC are actively sharing information through the blockchain-based data platform.

Global container carriers CMA CGM and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) today announced they are now integrated onto TradeLens (www.tradelens.com), helping ensure a more fully integrated, timely and consistent view of logistics data for their containerized freight around the world.

TradeLens was jointly developed in 2018 by IBM and A.P. Moller – Maersk. Together with Maersk, CMA and MSC will act as platform foundation carriers with a role in expanding the ecosystem and platform operations, including playing key roles as validators on the blockchain network. The TradeLens ecosystem now includes more than 175 organizations – extending to more than 10 ocean carriers and encompassing data from more than 600 ports and terminals.

The boost to the digital platform comes as Maersk customers are increasingly embracing digital solutions. Driven partly by the effects of social distancing during the global pandemic, customers have turned to the Maersk App nearly trebling the number of transactions in 2020 – from a 70.000/week average in January 2020 to 194.000/week average since June. Similarly, transactions on Maersk.com – one of the world’s largest B2B-sites with almost 20 bn USD revenue – are up by 20-25% year to date.

TradeLens members use the platform to connect within the ecosystem and share information needed for their shipments based on permissions, without sharing sensitive data.

“The TradeLens ecosystem is gaining momentum at a time where customers and supply chain stakeholders increasingly turn to digital and online solutions. They see the value of digital products and platforms in keeping their supply chains flowing during full or partial lockdowns which complicate traditional manual and physical ways of interaction between stakeholders in the logistics value chain. In a world now where resilience is king, TradeLens has an important role to play in terms of providing supply chain resilience and in increasing the customer experience through increased visibility, “ said Vincent Clerc, CEO of Ocean & Logistics, A.P. Moller – Maersk.

A Crucial Milestone

The addition of CMA CGM and MSC marks a crucial milestone for the industry, which until now has too often relied on paper-based trade and manual document handling that lead to increased costs and reduced business continuity. Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM and IBM, together with the expanding TradeLens network of terminals, customs authorities and 3PL and intermodal providers, are ushering in a transformation designed to benefit all network participants by making it easier to quickly and more reliably share documents and shipping data and digitally collaborate.

“TradeLens is an important initiative in the digitalization of global shipping and logistics, with the potential to help carriers and their customers to increase transparency and reduce errors and delays, all at a crucial time when the industry is rethinking and improving the resiliency of supply chains,” said Andre Simha, MSC’s global chief digital and information officer. “By completing the integration, we can now begin showing our customers and business partners how they can create and see value from the platform, and we hope that many of them will join it, creating an even larger and more beneficial ecosystem.”