PHOTOS: SUBMITTED
PORTSIDE NOTES
Linking expertise The Halifax Port Authority is joining a digital global-shipping
platform developed by Maersk and IBM through a collaboration agreement. HPA will participate in a blockchain-focused global trade digitization solution known as TradeLens. According to an HPA press release, the goal is to develop a “highly secure” digital ledger system that promotes the sharing of information across the global shipping industry, with the aim of cutting costs, improving productivity, increasing delivery speed, and providing transparency. The new collaboration will integrate global shipping and trade partners including terminals, shippers, freight forwarders, and ports to provide a single shared and trusted view of supplychain transactions. The platform will reduce paperwork with a digital process for documents, offering the potential for economic efficiency and improved security. This technology can reduce the need for multiple records and documents that are produced at each point in the supply chain.
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Port of Halifax
“Just think of what can be accomplished when we combine our local knowledge with global expertise provided through the MaerskIBM Collaboration Agreement,” says Karen Oldfield, president and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority. “The timing couldn’t be better. Digitization is the efficiency vehicle for the global supply chain, and considerable work is being done in Halifax right now through the recently established Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship and Volta Labs innovation hub. Through our involvement in TradeLens, we are taking the next steps to ensure the Port of Halifax is on the leading edge.” Mike White, TradeLens leader for Maersk, is excited Halifax is involved. “Halifax Port Authority is an important player in the development of this fully open and neutral platform,” he says. “It’s great to have them as an early adopter in this growing ecosystem.” Q