The Denmark-based leading shipping and logistics operator, Maersk has announced its partnership with Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play innovation platform to launch a supply chain and logistics accelerator. Ericsson is another partner company in this initiative. Maersk has been pushing for innovation in the shipping sector, to increase the industry efficiency by bringing down costs and ensuring transparency in the whole process. The company is already working on a blockchain based tracking, and record keeping solution with IBM and the accelerator seems to be the next logical expansion to foster innovation.
The partnership between Maersk, Ericsson, and Plug and Play was announced recently in a press release. Plug and Play Supply Chain & Logistics Innovation Platform is probably the only one of its kind dedicated accelerator program catering to this industry. With the launch of the new accelerator program, startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses working on providing solutions to the shipping, transportation, supply chain and logistics industry get a chance to be part of a particular focus-oriented program.
In a statement, the Chief Digital Officer at A.O. Moller – Maersk Transport and Logistics Division Ibrahim Gokcen said,
“Maersk intends to be the leading integrator of container logistics, providing simple solutions to complex supply chain problems. Digital innovation plays a key role in delivering that ambition. We are excited about this new platform and its capability to bring the digital ecosystem together to create innovative digital solutions for the shipping and logistics industry.”
Maersk is already working on a global logistics solution involving Hyperledger Fabric blockchain in association with IBM. The application built using Fabric blockchain, which has recently been declared production-ready is designed to make it easier for the logistics companies to keep tabs on the paperwork of millions of shipping containers that are always on the move. The companies have been in talks with a network of shippers, freight forwarders, ocean carriers, ports and customs authorities to have them onboard on a single blockchain based platform.
While Maersk brings its years of experience in the shipping industry to the table, Ericsson comes with its tech expertise, and Plug And Play knows how to foster startups to convert innovative ideas into viable businesses. Startups that are going to be part of the new accelerator program are expected to explore blockchain technology and even build upon the Hyperledger based blockchain solution wherever necessary to bring innovative products and solutions to life.
Ref: Finextra | Image: WikiMedia