Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), an independent, not-for profit technology consortium building a blockchain-enabled operating system designed to redefine global trade, announced its expansion into Europe with Cargo Release piloting in Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Cargo Release is GSBN’s proven blockchain-enabled application which offers a paperless, highly efficient, and transparent solution connecting everyone involved at the port of import including shipping lines, consignees, their agents and terminals.
The announcement builds upon the rapid global momentum GSBN’s flagship solution has had following successful deployments in China and across Southeast Asia last year, serving over 10,000 customers to date.
Mr. Bertrand Chen, CEO at GSBN, said, “The rollout of Cargo Release in Europe is a significant milestone for GSBN and a testament to the growing pace of digital transformation in the shipping industry. The resilience and efficiency of supply chains has never been of greater importance and the digital leap of the industry is key to achieving this.”
Involved in the pilot in Rotterdam are container terminal operator Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT), COSCO SHIPPING Lines, freight forwarder OOCL Logistics and global trade merchant, SUMEC.
Mr. Maarten van Kruijl, Assistant General Manager at COSCO SHIPPING Lines (Netherlands) B.V., said, “GSBN’s Cargo Release is an important next step in enabling a full digital and secure collaboration between trusted parties in the logistics chain. GSBN fully understands our business and has been providing good support in connecting all stakeholders.”
Mr. Kees Notenboom, General Manager Sales at Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam, said, “Rotterdam is one of Europe’s busiest and most strategic ports, and ECT is always embracing initiatives to further innovate to improve the service and performance for our customers. GSBN provides the opportunity to connect global trading partners in the container supply chain, using blockchain technology which can further enhance security and traceability.”
Ms. Xiang Chen, CEO at OOCL Logistics, said, “Freight forwarders have a unique opportunity to further enhance global supply chains through digitalisation and data. We are delighted to be the first freight forwarder partner of GSBN harnessing their Cargo Release solution to fully embrace information to serve all sides and ultimately achieve better outcomes for our customers.”
Mr. Wang Jian, Deputy General Manager at SUMEC Group, said, “As a diversified and international group, we are in a continuous pursuit of greater efficiency, transparency and resiliency of our supply chain. Blockchain technology offers unique benefits that improve the stability and efficiency of supply chain. We are delighted to see that the GSBN Cargo Release product previously rolled out in China, has been INTERNAL successfully launched in Europe. As a direct beneficiary of it, we look forward to more participants joining GSBN to jointly promote the digital transformation of the shipping industry.”
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Media contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, International Trade Magazine
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@logistics-buyer.com
