OpenPort, a blockchain-based digital logistics solution provider, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Formed in August 2017, BiTA aims to promote the adoption, education, and development of a standard framework around blockchain in the freight industry. It counts over 200 freight transportation companies as its members which includes the likes of FedEx, SAP, UPS, Salesforce, and Schneider, among others.

“As we strive to revolutionize the trucking industry in emerging markets throughout Asia and ultimately the world, we are honored to join such an esteemed Alliance. Blockchain offers a truly revolutionary solution to the financial and ecological detriments that have arisen in traditional transport systems, and we are very excited to collaborate with companies that share our ambition of welcoming a new era of efficiency and transparency for the transportation industry as a whole,” OpenPort Founder and CEO Max Ward said.

Delivering real-time status updates from tender through to the delivery stage, OpenPort facilitates lower costs, increased control, and improved cash flow. At present, it is facilitating direct, transparent relationships among parties in the supply chains of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines, according to the official release.

Facilitated by the OpenPort OpenTM (transport management) software and Driver App, an application that allows truck drivers to use their phones to capture electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) and send shipment data during transport, OpenPort’s digital ePOD ecosystem was established in early 2017. OpenPort is now utilizing blockchain technology to create an immutable ePOD with an indisputable record of the freight’s history and plans to use micro-rewards to incentivize data sharing via its OPN token.

“OpenPort's technology framework shows great promise and the Asian Pacific rim where the organization is focused is the world's factory. We are excited to partner and facilitate a forum for commercial success," said Craig Fuller, Managing Director of BiTA.

In addition to joining the Alliance, OpenPort will be sponsoring Transparency18, a two-day event covering the digitization of trucking, 3PLs, modern supply chains, blockchain, IoT, and autonomous and electric vehicles. To be held in Atlanta, Georgia on May 22-23, 2018, the event will bring together key industry players across the globe.