Technology

A smarter way to engage in trade

Powered by IBM Cloud and IBM Blockchain, the TradeLens Platform provides every entity involved in global trade with the digital tools to share information and collaborate securely.

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Platform activity

Today the TradeLens platform is securely sharing millions of shipment events and documents with permissioned parties across six continents, helping to reduce friction and simplify the process of trade.

922,714,391

Events tracked (All time)

922,714,391

Events tracked (All time)

TradeLens is processing over 13 million shipment events a week, with more than 120 event types (gate-in, vessel departure, etc.) communicated directly from the source, including planned, estimated and actual transport milestones.

7,452,048

Documents published
(All time)

7,452,048

Documents published
(All time)

TradeLens handles over 100,000 shipping documents a week, including both structured and unstructured formats, and ensures updates for permissioned parties are secure and private.

19,067,289

Containers processed
(All time)

19,067,289

Containers processed(All time)

The TradeLens platform is processing container shipping data for five of the six largest ocean carriers that together handle more than half of the world’s ocean containerized freight.

15,003,393

events tracked (All time)

15,003,393

events tracked (all time)

TradeLens is processing over 13 million shipment events a week, with more than 120 event types (gate-in, vessel departure, etc.) communicated directly from the source, including planned, estimated and actual transport milestones.

4,463,085

DOCUMENTS PUBLISHED
(All time)

4,463,085

DOCUMENTS PUBLISHED
(All Time)

TradeLens handles over 100,000 shipping documents a week, including both structured and unstructured formats, and ensures updates for permissioned parties are secure and private.

2,719,289

CONTAINERS PROCESSED
(all time)

2,719,289

CONTAINERS PROCESSED(all time)

The TradeLens platform is processing container shipping data for five of the six largest ocean carriers that together handle more than half of the world’s ocean containerized freight.
PERMISSIONED DATA
BLOCKCHAIN-ENABLED
STANDARDS-BASED
ENTERPRISE SECURITY
OPEN APIs

At the heart of the platform is a sophisticated permissions-based system that allows parties to view, edit and use data.

Strict and secure

A strict and highly secure permissions structure is in place that ensures only the necessary parties are able to see specific types of information related to a shipment.

Permission matrix

TradeLens permissions are determined through a combination of the organization’s role and the data type. The TradeLens platform then permits access to data according to a unified permission matrix.

Data sharing specification

View the complete TradeLens data sharing specification here.

The value of TradeLens arises from ecosystem members sharing information on the platform. Blockchain is the technology that secures that data and makes trusted collaboration possible. 

Permissioned blockchain

TradeLens uses the IBM Blockchain Platform which is based on Hyperledger Fabric, an open-source permissioned blockchain.

Privacy and immutability

TradeLens uses a permissioned blockchain to offer immutability, privacy, and traceability of shipping documents.

A trusted network

Unlike open, anonymous blockchains like those used for cryptocurrencies, on the TradeLens blockchain, members are “Trust Anchors” and known to the network based on cryptographic identities.

TradeLens provides a way for all permissioned participants to collaborate with and extract value from the TradeLens ecosystem. TradeLens is committed to the promotion and adoption of standards and interoperability of platforms.

Interoperability and standards

TradeLens is a neutral platform that is available to any party to a shipment, anywhere in the world. TradeLens is committed to standards and interoperability: The platform uses a data model and access control scheme aligned with UN/CEFACT.

The data model

The TradeLens platform uses the Supply Chain Reference Data Model from UN/CEFACT, which defines three interrelated “objects” as the basic units of global trade: Shipments, Consignments, and Transport Equipment.

Open APIs

We’re committed to helping to shape the future of standards through our participation: We share our APIs to help support industry interoperability.

TradeLens is built with the comprehensive security capabilities of a mission-critical platform handling data for Fortune 500 clients.

Permissioned access

Critical shipping data and information about a shipment are accessible only to permissioned parties. 

Documents hashed to blockchain

Hashes of key documents are published to the TradeLens blockchain for immutability and transparency.

Enterprise grade security

The TradeLens platform has been developed with comprehensive security measures in place to prevent intrusion and other threats. The TradeLens platform is accredited with the ISO27001 IT security certification.

TradeLens integrates with users’ in-house systems via non-proprietary, publicly available APIs that are designed for ease of set-up and use.

Share and use real-time data

Open APIs enable real-time data transfer between supply chain participants via publish, subscribe, query and doc share functions.

Reduce EDI costs

Reduce EDI maintenance costs with a family of open-standard APIs for real-time data transfer between supply chain partners.

Unlock creativity

Spur innovation at all levels of your IT division by unlocking creative energies formerly locked up in EDI set-up and operation.

TradeLens integrates with users’ in-house systems via non-proprietary, publicly available APIs that are designed for ease of set-up and use.

Share and use real-time data

Open APIs enable real-time data transfer between supply chain participants via publish, subscribe, query and doc share functions.

Reduce EDI costs

Reduce EDI maintenance costs with a family of open-standard APIs for real-time data transfer between supply chain partners.

Unlock creativity

Spur innovation at all levels of your IT division by unlocking creative energies formerly locked up in EDI set-up and operation.

STRUCTURED DATA

TradeLens is designed to accelerate search, reduce redundant clerical work and facilitate the collaborative use of shipping information between parties to a shipment.

  • To digitize the process of global trade,TradeLens works seamlessly with both structured and unstructured data.

  • Unstructured shipping information contained in document scans and images can be shared with permissioned parties on the Platform.

  • TradeLens is working with ecosystem partners to develop industry-standard structured data forms that will facilitate the digitalization of trade processes.

API CONNECTIVITY

TradeLens brings the enormous flexibility and power of API connections to the business of global trade.

  • API technology supports existing data flows, and can be used to replace existing expensive EDI set-ups.

  • APIs allow businesses to easily access, adapt and use TradeLens Platform data in their own in-house information systems.

  • Entities all along the supply chain can provide shipping data (like milestones) and information (like Bills of Lading) back to the platform so that permissioned parties can collaborate.  

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