Analysis of Blockchain's Impacts on and Applicability to the Maritime Industry

This report addresses several questions: Does blockchain meet the needs and requirements of logistics operations? Is the information technology (IT) infrastructure in the logistics environment ready for this new technology? What lessons have been learned from prior implementations that might make blockchain more effective for the marine shipping environment? In this report: Chapter 2 provides a summary of an extensive literature review that offers an understanding of what blockchain is, what its limitations and advantages are, and how it is being used. Chapter 3 provides the findings from a survey of the Port of Houston user community. The survey probed their understanding of blockchain technology and their level of implementation of the technology. Chapter 4 provides a case study of the implementation of blockchain in the maritime/port environment. The case study focuses on the project undertaken by the Port of Veracruz, Mexico, to move its export functions to blockchain. Chapter 5 summarizes interviews and investigation into TradeLens, a blockchain system developed by Maersk and IBM to facilitate container logistics across all the various users involved in the supply chain. Chapter 6 summarizes key findings and recommendations for further research