Livingston Announces Collaboration with TradeLens for Blockchain Pilot

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Apr 03, 2019, 08:00 ET

TORONTO, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Livingston International Inc. proudly announced today its formal participation in blockchain-enabled global shipping initiative TradeLens, and its inclusion in a comprehensive pilot involving the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

TradeLens is a blockchain-enabled digital shipping solution jointly developed by A.P. Moller–Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) to promote more efficient and secure global trade. It is designed to limit errors in logistics, therefore improving transit times, mitigating risk and reducing instances of fraud.

Livingston will serve as the first customs broker to leverage the TradeLens platform for brokerage automation. Livingston's role in the pilot will be to enter and access information on shipments and streamline internal procedures without compromising accuracy or security. The CBSA is participating in the TradeLens pilot to determine what role the platform could play in its business processes.

"We have always prided ourselves on being a forward-thinking customs broker and trade-services provider," said Craig Conway, Chief Technology Officer, Livingston International. "We are excited to work with Maersk, IBM, CBSA and other members of the TradeLens ecosystem on an initiative we believe will serve our industry well and provide transparency and security in the global movement of goods."

Livingston has traditionally invested heavily in automation and disruptive technologies to provide more enhanced, transparent and reliable solutions for businesses around the world.

"We're thrilled to see that Livingston has joined in the pilot of the TradeLens platform. As a leader in customs brokerage services, Livingston is now positioned to pioneer the use of blockchain technology and shape its impact to shippers around the world," said Mike White, CEO of Maersk Global Trade Digitization and head of TradeLens.

The pilot will serve to determine how Blockchain can optimize the speed and quality of customs and commercial data, while offering greater transparency into how cargo moves and streamlining the decision-making process for shipment release.

"The most important aspect of the platform is the ecosystem – building trust to enable collaboration with one another through a model that benefits everyone. Livingston's participation in this initiative allows us to analyze the impact of blockchain on the logistics process by bringing in the role of customs administration, which involves the submission, examination and storage of reams of data on a daily basis," said Peter Patterson, IBM Canada - Blockchain Leader.

About TradeLens

The TradeLens platform has been jointly developed by Maersk and IBM. TradeLens is an open and neutral industry platform underpinned by blockchain technology, supported by major players across the global shipping industry. The platform promotes the efficient, transparent and secure exchange of information in order to foster greater collaboration and trust across the global supply chain.

For more information: https://www.tradelens.com/

About Livingston International
Livingston International focuses on customs brokerage and trade compliance, offering international trade consulting, global trade management and freight forwarding. It provides clarity in a world of trade complexity, so businesses can grow further, faster and smarter. Livingston employs approximately 3,200 staff at more than 100 key border points, sea ports, airports and other strategic locations across North America, Europe and Asia. Visit us at www.livingstonintl.com, and on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

SOURCE Livingston International Inc.