Logistop Webinar – Blockchain Case Studies in the Logistics Sector

On 4th November 2020, ITAINNOVA – one of the ICONET partners along with La Fundación Valenciaport, Eurogestión and Alice presented case studies to show applications of blockchain in the logistics sector in a webinar organised by Logistop (Technological platform in logistics and mobility in Spain) http://www.logistop.org/

Juan Manuel Martínez Mourín, CEO of Eurogestión started by talking about how Blockchain is an integrator of other disruptive technologies such as Intenet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Machine Learning, 5G or Cloud Computing, as well as a facilitator of process automation.

Miguel Llop, Director of Digital Transformation at the La Fundación Valenciaport described pilot developments with Blockchain in GesPort 4.0 projects, which focused on the management of container port information; DataPorts, which seeks to create a data market with the digitization of ports to be able to develop Big Data solutions; Planet, which will assess the impact of emerging global trading corridors on the RTE-T network, ensuring the effective connectivity and sustainability of the global European network.

La Fundación Valenciaport is also involved in the Ingenius project, aimed at designing the next generation of IoT technology to give better service and add value to supply chains by incorporating 5G, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain or virtual and augmented reality.

Llop also explained the development of Blockchain Based Tracking and Traceing – B2T2, which aims to establish a reference application in the tracking and traceing of containers and goods of SMEs that do not use this blockchain technology. The B2T2 project also aims to create a start-up that designs a Port Transaction Management (PTMS) system with Blockchain technology. This solution will also need to connect the PTMS with that of the global logistics operators that are adopting Blockchain, as well as link with other ports, inland terminals and rail freight corridors.

David Ciprés, Head of Data Analysis, IoT and Blockchain at the Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón (ITAINNOVA) emphasized that these three technologies are “complementary”, as well as with Digital Twins.

He then explained he is part of the European initiative ICONET, which investigates the concept of the Physical Internet in search of new networked architectures, which combine with the capabilities of IoT and point towards the commercial exploitation of the results.

ICONET’s objective is to automate shipments, through collaborative decisions, taking into account all system information and considering the burden, such as smart physical packages, prioritizing the efficiency and advancement of the European Union’s green agenda.

At ICONET there are four industry-led pilot demonstrator projects:

• The Port of Antwerp is working on optimizing container classification operations.
• Procter & Gamble is focusing on the traceability of goods in long-distance rail corridors, from Northern to Southern Europe.
• SONAE is delving into the preparation and dynamic urban distribution of orders in an e-commerce company.
• Stockbooking, a start-up of FM Logistic, is evaluating the advantages of being able to have temporary storage spaces dynamically through online services.

ITAINNOVA has also participated in the application of Blockchain in the Amarre Solutions project, powered by the Aragonese start-up ACF Innove to offer a traceability system for road haulage operations.

Antonio Conde, Chief Technology Officer of Eurogestión showed the implementation of Blockchain in projects linked to the railway safety management system (SGS), and in the software that manages training processes in the railway field and in the focus on the processes of maintenance companies (EMEs). In addition, with Aeutransmer he works on the implementation of Blockchain in a project for the integration of its supply chain.

Fernando Liesa, Secretary General of Alice, highlighted the support of the European technology platform in the implementation of Blockchain in projects such as Vinturas, focused on the development of a digital network for automotive logistics; or TradeLens,powered by Maersk and IBM for maritime container tracking.

Tomás de la Vega, MD of Logistop, concluded the webinar highlighting the opportunity offered by this innovation platform to “generate new collaborative projects that implement Blockchain and other technologies of Industry 4.0 in the logistics sector, and to be able to advance its transformation towards sustainability and efficiency”.

This article has been written by “Transporte XXI ” – a specialist magazine in the transport and logistics sector (adapted and translated into English)
http://www.transportexxi.com/