International Port Community Systems Association along with the Chinese technology group Alibaba shake their hands in order to boost blockchain application in logistics and e-commerce.
In fact, Alibaba is participating in IPCSA’s new blockchain bill of lading project, while embarked on a new initiative in the organisations’ joint Logistics Visibility Task Force.
Through their collaboration, Alibaba will further work with the China Merchants Port Group in an effort to use blockchain and develop smart port technology.
For the records, this is not the first time that both companies work together. Namely, Alibaba and IPCSA have been working closely for the past two years.
In October 2018, in collaboration with LOGINK, we set up a global intelligent logistics network, named the Logistics Visibility Task Force. In its work to develop global smart supply chains, the Task Force has focused on the development of track and trace solutions and the use of ISO standards. Following on from this work, Alibaba has signed up to the IPCSA Blockchain Bill of Lading initiative, effectively making this a second workstream of the Task Force.
…as Ms Zhu (Judy) Hongu, Head of the Standardization Department of Alibaba Group, noted.
What is more, behind IPCSA blockchain bill of lading initiative is Israel Ports Company, which operates the Israeli Ports Community System (IPCS).
Standardised and structured data is the key to making this work. We recognise that this is a journey. Getting people to use structured data – especially small and medium-sized companies – is a challenge. The IPCSA Bill of Lading will also accept adding PDF and JPG documents in the first version, but ultimately it will be entirely based on Blockchain structured data.
…Richard Morton, secretary general of IPCSA marked.
