The Dutch port of Rotterdam, the biggest shipping hub in Europe, is opening a research lab devoted to blockchain technology.
Conceived as a "knowledge centre for the regional private sector" and geared towards applied research, the so-called "BlockLab" is being set up in a joint effort between the Municipality of Rotterdam and the port authority to investigate blockchain's potential in organising port logistics and cargo flows more efficiently.
According to a press release, initial steps include the launch of a blockchain app – developed in partnership with cloud software company Exact and ABN AMRO bank – to assist stock financing in the port logistics sector.
Maarten Struijvenberg, Rotterdam's deputy mayor for economic affairs, commented:
Not all of the research at BlockLab will be entirely port related, however. The release also reveals an interest in exploring blockchain to give a boost to what it calls "energy transition" – for example, allowing firms to trade residual heat and the city's occupants to trade electricity.
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This is not the first effort that the port has made within the blockchain space. Last year, the the authority announced it would be taking part in a blockchain consortium alongside 14 major banks and universities to explore blockchain opportunities within logistics.
Rotterdam port via Shutterstock