MSC announced its partnership with the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), a neutral, non-profit consortium dedicated to promoting paperless, accessible, and sustainable growth in global trade through its robust data infrastructure and network of partners. This collaboration aims to bolster safety standards in the transportation of lithium battery shipments.
The increasing presence of lithium-ion batteries being transported on container ships, coupled with the growing issue of misdeclarations, poses a significant challenge to the shipping industry due to the inherent fire risk. In response, MSC has joined forces with GSBN to integrate its lithium battery shipment booking process with GSBN’s platform. GSBN boasts extensive access to China’s premier testing laboratories and certification providers, including SICIT and Pony Testing.
“The unprecedented demand for lithium shipments has introduced new challenges for the industry and those who work in it. Our aim is through these collaborations is to harness technology to support the global effort to sustainability and mark a new era in shipping safety. As we look ahead, we aim to extend our collaboration to even more shipping lines and certification providers globally to ensure that every journey safeguards lives,” stated Bertrand Chen, CEO at GSBN.
Through this collaboration, upon completion of testing, secure transportation certificates will be digitally shared by the laboratories via GSBN’s blockchain network. These certificates will be seamlessly accessible to MSC during the booking process. This streamlined approach not only enhances the overall customer experience but also replaces the cumbersome and often unreliable paper-based process associated with verifying such certificates. This shift mitigates risks such as loss, mislabeling, and fraud.
The collaborative effort aims to expand beyond lithium battery certificates, encompassing a broader range of certificates. Additionally, the network of laboratories will be expanded to enhance coverage for carriers, further advancing safety standards in the shipping industry.
“Our collaboration with GSBN offers the best of both worlds. We can offer customers a more streamlined experience from the point of booking while ensuring that cargo requiring special handling can be safely transported. This has only been made possible by GSBN’s blockchain network and through it, its access to top testing laboratories and certification providers in China, one of the world’s top exporters of goods with lithium-ion batteries,” stated Dirk Van de Velde, Chief Health, Safety, Security and Environment Officer at MSC.
