# TradeLens

> TradeLens was a blockchain platform by Maersk and IBM for digitizing the global supply chain in shipping and logistics. The platform aimed to create transparency and efficiency in maritime freight by tracking and documenting cargo movements in real-time. During a twelve-month test phase, over 154 million shipping data points were captured and transit times were reduced by up to 40%, resulting in savings of several thousand US dollars.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Freight forwarding and transport · **Organisation:** Maersk und IBM · **Maturity level:** Production

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/maersk-globale-frachtdokumente-digital-vernetzen

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Production
- **Evidence:** Evidence high
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

From the freight forwarders' perspective, TradeLens was revolutionary: instead of endless email chains and phone calls, freight forwarders could track the status of their shipments in real time on a blockchain-secured platform. The BVMC (Federal Association for Materials Management and Consulting) analysed TradeLens in a whitepaper as a benchmark for blockchain in supply chain management.

For freight forwarders, TradeLens is primarily a data transparency issue: a bill of lading typically changes hands 5-7 times from exporter to end recipient; each transfer requires papers, emails, phone calls. TradeLens digitised this process: all shipment events (departure, arrival, customs status, storage) are immediately recorded on the blockchain; all authorised parties see the same status. IBM documented network growth in several articles: CMA CGM (the world's third-largest shipping company), PIL (Pacific International Lines) and Hamburg Süd joined; over 600 million shipment events were documented until discontinuation. The BVMC whitepaper (2020) analysed TradeLens as one of the most important blockchain-SCM use cases worldwide and drew conclusions for German logistics companies. Discontinued November 2022: the main reason was the governance problem — shipping companies did not want to share data on a Maersk-controlled platform.

## Benefits

- Cost savings of several thousand US dollars per delivery through reduced administrative costs and faster processing.
- Reduction of transit times by up to 40% through optimised processes and improved coordination among all parties involved.
- Elimination of paper-based processes and replacement by digital, immutable blockchain documentation.
- Increased transparency and traceability of goods along the entire supply chain for all parties involved.
- Reduction of manual paper administration and more time for strategic logistics planning.

## Challenges

- Difficult coordination between competing companies when sharing a unified platform.
- Lack of industry-wide acceptance despite technical successes led to the project's discontinuation at the end of 2022.
- High complexity in integrating various systems from shipping companies, ports and customs authorities into a common platform.
- Need for extensive training to handle new blockchain-based systems.

## Technology foundation

TradeLens used IBM Blockchain technology based on Hyperledger Fabric, a so-called permissioned blockchain. This technology is particularly suitable for enterprise networks as only authorised participants have access and sensitive business data can remain protected.

## Sources

- [TradeLens: Blockchain-Revolution in der Logistik?](https://blockchainwelt.de/tradelens-maersk-ibm-supply-chain/)
- [Maersk and IBM to discontinue TradeLens](https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2022/11/29/maersk-and-ibm-to-discontinue-tradelens)
- [TradeLens momentum grows with addition of two major ocean cargo carriers](https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/tradelens-momentum-grows-with-addition-of-two-major-ocean-cargo-carriers)
- [Blockchain im Supply Chain Management](https://www.bvmc.de/fileadmin/content/Schwerpunkte/competence-circles/Technologie_Innovation_Management/WP01_2020_Blockchain_web_kl.pdf)