It's no news that the government of Abu Dhabi has reiterated several times of moving all existing government operations to the blockchain from 2022. The latest news coming out of the Arabian country is the trading sector, as it has begun the use of blockchain to conduct its transactions.
Maqta Gateway has developed and implemented its own blockchain solution for international logistics and trade. Maqta Gateway which is a wholly owned subsidiary of maritime industry developer Abu Dhabi Ports. This feat would be the first of its kinds as it transcends to a paperless real-time tracking which in turn would save time, efforts and paperwork.
Developed by the Digital Innovation Lab of Maqta Gateway, the blockchain was field tested with strategic customers of Abu Dhabi Ports prior to launch and will see a commercial rollout to freight forwarders and their customers initially.
The platform is designed to safely encrypt and secure all documents essential for documentation of cargo. After the technology has been tested, it will then be offered to the rest of the trade community as a ‘complementary tool’ alongside the current Maqta’s Port Community System, a move that will fast-track adoption.
“[B]lockchain is a key step in the digitalization of trade,” said Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO of Maqta Gateway, adding:
The blockchain solution was developed to bridge the gap between exporters and importers in an industry that is notoriously averse to digitization and change by reducing the need for manual paperwork, communication and physical visits with faster, real-time information exchanges over a decentralized ledger.
Through Silsal, we will be offering the trade community secure and integrated access to blockchain technology, with the added value of cost and time savings through real-time track and trace, reduction in paperwork and ease in extracting vital information to receive live updates.