Blockchain and IoT Strategy

The work of this section builds upon the results of Working Package No. 3 – Digital Auditing. The focus is laid on 2 specific streams within the digitalisation trends and technologies – 1) upgrade of ports and their infrastructure (terminals) in safety and security – the Blockchain technology; 2) upgrade of ports and their infrastructure in digitalisation – Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for better transport, environmental and economic performance. Yet, the application is new for the ports, and, first, measures are needed to adopt these technologies to the SB region.
We concentrate only on the following aspects: a) improvement of cargo flows; b) environmental, and c) economic efficiency. The parameters or aspects cover refer to reduction of parking-related transport in port terminals; reduction of delays; shorter travel times; multimodal transport information; managing terminal space demand; environmental compliance (dynamic traffic control; LED signal heads; shorter travel times; les congestion); cost reduction; availability and reliability; financial business concepts; client attraction (e.g. from core ports) and branding.
Digitalisation challenges for small ports are not only brought by infrastructural or IT capacity problems, it is also challenge by constant technological development and globalisation of IT solutions. Such technological platforms as Blockchain and IoT, are expanding in to different aspects of our daily life. Yet, their role for transport and ports is at the grassroots level.

Development of State-of-the -Art on Blockchain Technologies in Ports and Terminals Report

Globalization and increasing demands for maritime shipping has had a dramatic influence on port and terminal around the world as ports are not only handling cargo, but information. Major ports, i.e., Port of Rotterdam and Port of Singapore, have redefined the sea freight logistics through the adoption of various emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing and Internet of Things, etc. Due to various reasons, such as lack of resources, small and medium size ports (e.g. ports in the South Baltic Region) have a challenge in adopting technologies, such as those used by the larger ports. As part of a deliverable assigned by the Connect2Small PortsProject, an EU financed project, the emphasis of this report is to study and understand the components that hinder or promote the success in the application of Blockchain technology solutions for ports and terminals. The scope of this study is specifically on Blockchain and on small and medium size ports in the South Baltic Sea Region. The results, which are based on analysis on a literature review, questionnaires and field studies, highlight the advantages and obstacles for adoption of Blockchain. Finally, a SWOT analysis, value creation is identified; and best practices are identified on what are the “do’s and don’ts”.

The authors have strived to present the most accurate data and information in this report by taking ethical research considerations during the research and in the publishing