ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has signed on as a member of Maersk and IBM's blockchain-enabled TradeLens platform. Launched in 2018, TradeLens uses blockchain technology to drive transparency throughout the shipping process by digitizing documentation and making it available in real-time to all trading partners – from carriers to freight forwarders, customs officials, port authorities and more.
To date, more than five million shipments have been recorded on TradeLens by more than 60 network members and 100 total ecosystem members. ZIM joins Pacific International Lines (PIL), the world's tenth largest containership operator, as the only other major carrier to become a TradeLens member.
"The addition of ZIM to TradeLens shows exactly why we worked with Maersk to create this solution," said Daniel Melka, Country General Manager, IBM Israel. "Blockchain networks like TradeLens work best when comprised of a diverse network of participants who work together to affect change for an entire industry."
ZIM is expected to begin contributing data to the platform before the end of 3Q 2019.