Real-Time Freight Data Sharing via Blockchain
Sector: Tertiary sector · Industry: Shipping and maritime transport · Organisation: Maersk und IBM (TradeLens) · Maturity level: Production
Maersk and IBM developed and operated TradeLens, a global blockchain-based platform for the container logistics sector. The solution enabled real-time sharing of shipping data and documents among all supply chain participants – from ocean carriers and ports to customs authorities. By leveraging Hyperledger Fabric as a permissioned blockchain, an immutable, shared record system was created that digitized paper-based processes and increased transparency across the entire transport chain.
Documentation status
- Project status: Production
- Evidence: Evidence high
- Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 12 July 2026
Description
TradeLens was a digital platform jointly developed and operated by Maersk and IBM, designed to fundamentally change information exchange in global container logistics. Based on Hyperledger Fabric – a permissioned blockchain technology – shipping lines, ports, freight forwarders and customs authorities could collaborate on a shared, tamper-proof data basis and share shipping events and documents almost in real time. The platform was in productive use and processed up to 13 million events and over 100,000 documents per week at its peak before the service was discontinued in March 2023.
TradeLens was gradually introduced from January 2018 and developed into one of the most ambitious blockchain implementations in global trade. The platform is technically based on the IBM Blockchain Platform, which uses Hyperledger Fabric as an open-source, permissioned framework – an approach that enables controlled data access without requiring full disclosure of sensitive business data. In its production phase, TradeLens processed up to 13 million events and more than 100,000 documents per week and was committed to tracking around 20 percent of global container traffic. Over 90 organisations – including shipping companies such as Pacific International Lines and Hamburg Süd as well as customs authorities from Australia, the Netherlands, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore – had committed early to participation. The documented benefits included increased supply chain visibility, improved operational efficiency, facilitated customs processes through more timely and verifiable data, and better coordination of all parties in real time. IBM discontinued access to the platform on 31 March 2023; according to IBM and the DigitalizeTrade database, no successor product exists, meaning the project is considered discontinued.
Perspectives
B2B — organisations perspective
For companies in maritime logistics – shipping lines, ports, freight forwarders and terminal operators – TradeLens offered the opportunity to unite all supply chain partners on a single, trusted data basis, replacing complex bilateral data exchanges and paper-based document processes. Authorities such as customs offices benefited from more timely, accurate and verifiable data, enabling better risk selection and facilitation of legitimate trade.
Employees perspective
Employees in logistics, customs clearance and document management were relieved of manual, error-prone data entry and reconciliation processes by the platform and gained direct access to current shipping information. At the same time, working with a networked blockchain platform required new digital skills and changed collaboration across company boundaries.
Benefits
General
- Near real-time access to shipping events and documents for all authorised participants in the supply chain.
- Immutable, shared recording system reduces fraud and data errors.
- Digitalisation of paper-based document exchange between shipping companies, ports, and customs authorities.
- Improved coordination and faster responsiveness to deviations in the transport process.
B2B — organisations
- Customs authorities receive more timely, accurate, and verifiable data for more efficient risk assessment and customs clearance.
- Shipping companies and freight forwarders benefit from a shared platform instead of fragmented bilateral data connections.
- Foundation for data-driven decisions and improved customer service through complete supply chain visibility.
Employees
- Relief from manual data entry and document reconciliation processes.
- Direct access to current, verified shipping information without enquiries to partners.
Challenges
General
- The project was discontinued in March 2023, indicating challenges with economic viability or sufficient adoption by all relevant market participants.
- Building a critical mass of participating organisations is essential but difficult to achieve for industry-wide blockchain platforms.
B2B — organisations
- The technical integration of existing IT systems from numerous different actors requires considerable effort and coordination.
- Governance issues – especially on a platform dominated by two companies but involving competitors – can hinder willingness to participate.
Employees
- The introduction of new platform technologies requires training and adjustments to existing work processes.
Technology foundation
TradeLens is based on the IBM Blockchain Platform, which builds on Hyperledger Fabric – an open-source, permissioned blockchain framework. Unlike public blockchains such as Ethereum, all participants in Hyperledger Fabric are known and must be authorised, making the platform particularly suitable for regulated industries where data privacy, compliance, and controlled data access are essential. The architecture allows various actors – shipping companies, ports, customs authorities, freight forwarders – to collaborate on a shared, tamper-proof data foundation without having to fully disclose proprietary data.
Implementation examples
TradeLens – Global Blockchain Hub for Container Logistics
Global container logistics suffered from extreme fragmentation: hundreds of actors – shipping companies, ports, freight forwarders, customs authorities – exchanged cargo and document information via inconsistent, mostly paper-based or bilaterally coordinated digital channels, leading to delays, errors, and lack of transparency.
Maersk and IBM jointly developed and operated TradeLens, a global blockchain-based data and document hub for container logistics, which was in productive use from January 2018 to March 2023. The platform connected shipping companies, ports, freight forwarders, shippers, and customs authorities worldwide on a shared, tamper-proof data foundation.
TradeLens was gradually introduced from January 2018 and reached a peak volume of up to 13 million events and more than 100,000 documents per week. Even in the early phase, the processed data grew to nearly one million events per day. Over 90 organisations – including shipping companies such as Pacific International Lines and Hamburg Süd as well as customs authorities from Australia, the Netherlands, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore – committed to participation. The platform had pledged to track around 20 percent of global container traffic. IBM discontinued access to the platform on 31 March 2023; according to IBM, there is no successor to the offering.
TradeLens addressed the lack of a shared data foundation in the global container supply chain by enabling all authorised participants to access shipping events and documents in real time. Customs authorities received more timely, accurate, and verifiable data for more efficient risk assessments and facilitated cross-border goods movement.
Tags
Supply chain, Real-time tracking, Permissioned blockchain, Hyperledger Fabric, Container logistics, Customs clearance, Document digitalisation