Intermodal logistics provider GatewayRail has become the first rail operator in India to join TradeLens.
TradeLens, a block-chain underpinned digital logistics platform jointly developed by A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) and IBM, will offer higher visibility and safer digital documentation for GatewayRail’s customers.
The association between GatewayRail and TradeLens is a major milestone in digitising India’s vast inland container logistics ecosystem with a significant impact on efficiency gained by exporters and importers.
GatewayRail currently operates a fleet of 31 freight trains connecting western Gateway ports such as Nhava Sheva, Pipavav and Mundra to its Inland Container Depots (ICDs) at Garhi Harsaru in Gurugram, Piyala in Faridabad, Sahnewal in Ludhiana and at Viramgam in Ahmedabad region – where the TradeLens solutions will be deployed in the first phase.
Customers moving import and export containers on these services will be able to make full use of the solutions provided on the TradeLens platform such as the TradeLens electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) using blockchain technology.
Sachin Bhanushali, CEO and Director Gateway Rail Freight Ltd, commented, “At GatewayRail, we have a commitment towards ease of doing business through digitisation of logistics.
“Joining the TradeLens platform allows us to lead the change in Indian intermodal logistics ecosystem. It is the right time to change over from the manual, paper-based documentation and move towards a digital solution that drives value for all the stakeholders in the journey of import and export cargo.”
TradeLens brings together data from the entire global supply chain ecosystem. This data allows TradeLens and its network partners to modernise manual and paper-based documents by replacing them with blockchain-enabled digital solutions to enhance cargo visibility.
Bimal Kanal, Head of TradeLens, South Asia, added, “The TradeLens network is rapidly expanding in India, and we are extremely delighted to have GatewayRail as the first rail operator directly integrated to our platform.
“Digitising supply chains is high on agenda for Indian logistics and building on this network is a step in the right direction. There is no doubt that digitisng supply chains will ultimately help in bringing down the total cost of logistics, which is an important cornerstone of the National Logistics Policy.”
