Port Authority of Valencia looks to blockchain and big data to create “smart port”

The Port Authority of Valencia (APV) has announced its plans to build a “smart port” using blockchain technology and big data, CoinTelegraph reported.

Jose Garcia de la Guía, head of new technologies of the APV, said that blockchain technology is a good option for enhancing logistics in Valencia and beyond.

"Starting from Valencia, we offer to use blockchain as a strategic option to provide transparency of logistic chain, from end to end, going further than our port itself. That means we're planning to apply cloud technologies not only with our partners from Port Community Systems but also with all others,” De La Guia said.

He went on to state that blockchain technology would facilitate “ports without papers.” De La Guia added (loosely translated):

“A new PCS platform without technical or growth limitations, to offer new services and improve existing ones to a port community in continuous growth with new criteria of optimization of infrastructure resources , reduction of development times and maintenance costs ".

The announcement was made at the Smart Ports & Supply Chain Technologies conference held in Rotterdam this week. The event saw the participation of officials from the port of Valencia, as well as representatives from Antwerp (Belgium) and Algeciras (Spain), among others.

In June, the Port of Rotterdam Authority announced a project that aims to leverage blockchain technology to make the supply chain in the port paperless and facilitate immediate handling and payment of port dues. More recently, Associated British Ports (ABP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with digital logistics enabler Marine Transport International (MTI), to explore blockchain potential in enhancing port connectivity.