1. Supply Chain – Use of Blockchain
UN/CEFACT Blockchain Mini-Conference
Supply Chain – Use of Blockchain
Presented by Edmund Gray
Coordinator
UN/CEFACT Supply Chain Management
and
Procurement Domain
4th October 2017
Rome Forum

2. Supply Chain Use Cases
early news involve transaction based banking services only
in more recent news, use cases have Supply Chain scenarios
based on trade facilitation-related proof-of-concept (POC) pilots
One use case involves Maersk and IBM who are working on a hybrid solution for both privacy and transparency

3. Trade facilitation
a key enabler of an efficient Supply Chain is trade facilitation.
This is exemplified by single-window concepts
Typically this includes shippers, freight forwarders, ocean carriers and ports
Information from these sources is captured and made available.
Data is only recorded once
Processes are harmonised
This should be best practice for Blockchain initiatives

4. Trade facilitation and Blockchain
Many of the functions of Cross Border Trade exist in separate systems.
However they can be combined on a distributed ledger such as is blockchain
Extending on both banking services and Single Window concepts.
This would, in effect, link the financial with the physical supply chain in the most efficient manner.
Providing the potential for added value services to further facilitate trade

5. Business areas impacted
Based on use cases provided;
the following are key areas where supply chain initiatives could be further enhanced by use of blockchain solutions;
Collection devices e.g. IoT
Data Sharing - distributed
Disputes management – immutable transactions
Onboarding – large communities can be involved

6. Conclusions Many experts see blockchain as being over hyped
However once it matures, it can provide disruptive technologies.
that should bring down costs and make processes more effective.