Blockchain + Dangerous Goods Maritime Transport: How Do Electronic Dangerous Goods Packaging Certificates Enhance Supply Chain Transparency?

In the dangerous goods maritime transport supply chain, the Dangerous Goods Packaging Certificate (DGPC) serves as the “pass” for the safe transportation of goods, running through all links including production, inspection, transportation, and ports. Traditional paper DGPCs suffer from high counterfeiting risks, low circulation efficiency, and difficult data traceability, leading to fragmented information among supply chain entities and severely insufficient transparency. However, blockchain technology, with its core characteristics of decentralization, immutability, and traceability, is deeply integrating with electronic DGPCs, reshaping the trust system and information flow model of dangerous goods maritime transport. Combining the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s new regulations on dangerous goods transport and industry practices, this article analyzes the implementation paths, core values, and implementation challenges of blockchain-empowered electronic DGPCs in enhancing supply chain transparency.

1. Transparency Dilemmas in the Dangerous Goods Maritime Transport Supply Chain and the Role of Electronic DGPCs

1.1 Transparency Pain Points of Traditional Supply Chains

The dangerous goods maritime transport supply chain involves multiple entities such as shippers, manufacturers, inspection agencies, shipping companies, ports, and customs, with prominent information asymmetry issues. Firstly, paper DGPCs are vulnerable to counterfeiting and tampering. In a 2023 case of counterfeit DGPCs seized at a port, Class 3 flammable liquid goods associated with fake certificates leaked due to substandard packaging, but the responsible entity could not be identified during tracing due to document fraud. Secondly, information circulation is delayed: it takes an average of 3-5 days for paper documents to be issued by inspection agencies and verified by shipping companies, and they are prone to loss or damage during transmission. Thirdly, data silos are severe: shippers cannot track the certificate verification progress in real-time, and customs struggle to verify the matching between certificates and goods, resulting in low supervision efficiency. Statistics show that the information traceability success rate in traditional dangerous goods maritime transport supply chains is only 65%, far failing to meet safety management requirements.

1.2 Core Value and Limitations of Electronic DGPCs

Electronic DGPCs are digital certificates issued by inspection and quarantine authorities in accordance with General Technical Conditions for Transport Packaging of Dangerous Goods (GB 12463-2024), containing key information such as goods name, hazard class, packaging performance, and inspection results. Compared with paper certificates, they realize the electronic issuance and circulation, shortening transmission time. However, standalone electronic DGPCs still have shortcomings: data storage relies on centralized platforms, with risks of tampering or data loss due to server failures; system standards vary among entities, leading to poor compatibility of electronic certificates across platforms—for example, the electronic certificate verification systems of Tianjin Port and Rotterdam Port once failed to interoperate due to data format differences; information sharing is limited to core transaction parties, making it difficult for upstream and downstream enterprises to obtain complete certificate circulation trajectories.

2. Technical Logic and Implementation Paths of Blockchain-Empowered Electronic DGPCs

The integration of blockchain and electronic DGPCs essentially involves uploading the full-lifecycle data of certificates to the chain, building an information ecosystem of “confirmation upon generation, traceable circulation, and trustworthy verification”. Its core implementation paths revolve around three aspects: standardized on-chain data, multi-entity collaborative consensus, and full-process traceability system construction.

2.1 Standardized On-Chain of Electronic DGPC Data

1. Data Element Disassembly and Standardization: In accordance with the IMO International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, core electronic DGPC data is disassembled into the basic information layer (shipper, goods ID, hazard class), inspection information layer (inspection agency, inspection date, packaging test data), and circulation information layer (issuance status, verification records, handover time). Each data field is encoded in accordance with the ISO 20008 standard to ensure interoperability between data from different countries and institutions. For example, the goods ID adopts an 18-digit unique identifier of “country code + enterprise code + product code + production date”, achieving precise “one item, one code, one certificate” correspondence.
2. On-Chain Certification and Encryption: After issuing the certificate, the inspection agency generates a unique digest of the electronic DGPC data through a hash algorithm and uploads both the digest and original data to consortium chain nodes (such as the dangerous goods maritime transport blockchain platform co-built by customs, maritime authorities, and shipping companies). Asymmetric encryption technology is adopted, allowing authorized entities such as shippers and shipping companies to access data via private keys, ensuring information security while achieving controlled permissions. Practice on a blockchain platform shows that encrypted electronic DGPC data is 100 times more difficult to tamper with, and the data leakage rate drops below 0.01%.

2.2 Construction of Multi-Entity Collaborative Consensus Mechanism

1. Consortium Chain Node Setup: A multi-node consortium chain is built covering “regulatory authorities (customs, maritime) + core enterprises (manufacturers, shipping companies, ports) + service agencies (inspection and quarantine, freight forwarders)”, with each entity having independent node permissions. Regulatory authority nodes are responsible for rule formulation and data supervision; core enterprise nodes manage certificate circulation and information updates; service agency nodes provide supporting data such as inspection and logistics, forming a governance structure of “joint maintenance and mutual supervision”.
2. Smart Contract-Driven Automatic Consensus: Processes such as DGPC verification and handover are written into smart contracts, which automatically trigger consensus verification when preset conditions are met. For example, when a shipping company receives goods, the system automatically compares the inspection data in the electronic DGPC with the actual packaging information of the goods. If consistent, a handover record is generated and synchronized across the chain; if there are discrepancies, an alert is immediately triggered to notify customs for verification. In the 2024 Shanghai Port pilot, smart contracts increased DGPC verification efficiency by 60% and reduced error verification rate from 12% to 1.5%.

2.3 Construction of Full-Process Traceability System

1. Visualization of Certificate Lifecycle: Full-lifecycle data of electronic DGPCs, from issuance, verification, circulation to cancellation, is uploaded to the chain in real-time, forming an immutable “digital trajectory”. Shippers can enter the goods ID in the blockchain browser to view full-chain information such as certificate inspection details, shipping company verification comments, and port inspection records; regulatory authorities can trace the circulation nodes of any certificate through the backend system, achieving “traceable origin, trackable destination, and accountable responsibility”.
2. Cross-Link Data Association and Integration: Electronic DGPCs are linked with container GPS positioning, temperature and humidity monitoring, and port loading/unloading records to build an integrated “certificate – goods – container – ship” traceability system. For example, when transporting Class 3 flammable liquids, the blockchain platform can simultaneously display the packaging temperature resistance level in the electronic DGPC and real-time container temperature data. If the temperature exceeds the standard, the system automatically compares it with the certificate requirements and triggers a risk alert. After a chemical enterprise applied this system, the time to trace abnormal goods transportation was reduced from 48 hours to 2 hours.

3. Value of On-Chain Electronic DGPCs in Enhancing Supply Chain Transparency

Blockchain-empowered electronic DGPCs address the transparency dilemmas of traditional supply chains from three dimensions—information credibility, circulation efficiency, and supervision effectiveness—creating multiple values for all participants.

3.1 Building a Trustworthy Data Foundation to Eliminate Information Asymmetry

1. Eliminating Certificate Counterfeiting and Tampering: The immutability of blockchain ensures that electronic DGPC data cannot be modified once uploaded. The issuance records of inspection agencies and verification traces of shipping companies are permanently retained. 2024 EU port inspection data shows that the detection rate of counterfeit certificates among goods using blockchain electronic DGPCs dropped from 8% in the traditional model to 0, significantly reducing safety risks.
2. Enabling Cross-Entity Information Sharing: Consortium chains break down “information silos” between enterprises. Shippers can track the circulation progress of certificates at shipping companies and ports in real-time, while customs can complete online verification without requiring enterprises to submit paper materials. A multinational chemical enterprise reported that information sharing reduced communication costs across supply chain links by 40% and shortened order delivery cycles by 15%.

3.2 Optimizing Full-Process Circulation Efficiency to Enhance Supply Chain Collaboration

1. Accelerating Certificate Verification: Smart contracts replace manual verification, enabling automatic validation and status synchronization of electronic DGPCs. After Tianjin Port implemented blockchain electronic DGPCs, the port verification time per shipment was reduced from 2 hours to 15 minutes, and the daily dangerous goods throughput increased by 20%.
2. Simplifying Cross-Border Customs Clearance: Blockchain enables international mutual recognition of electronic DGPCs, resolving repeated verification caused by differences in national inspection standards. In the “China-ASEAN Dangerous Goods Maritime Corridor” pilot, blockchain electronic DGPCs shortened cross-border customs clearance time from 5 days to 1 day, significantly improving supply chain efficiency.

3.3 Strengthening Supervision and Risk Prevention to Ensure Transportation Safety

1. Enabling Precision Supervision and Dynamic Alerts: Regulatory authorities real-time monitor the circulation data of electronic DGPCs through the blockchain platform and conduct risk assessment combined with goods transportation status. For example, if the electronic DGPC indicates the goods are Class 4 spontaneously combustible substances and the ship’s navigation area encounters high-temperature weather, the system automatically sends alert information to maritime authorities and shipping companies. During the pilot period, such proactive alerts reduced the incidence of related accidents by 70%.
2. Clarifying Accident Liability Identification: In the event of goods leakage, explosion, or other accidents, the circulation records, inspection data, and handover certificates of electronic DGPCs on the blockchain can serve as direct evidence for liability identification. In a 2023 dangerous goods leakage accident at a port, blockchain tracing revealed that the manufacturer had falsified packaging test data. The liability identification time was reduced from 15 days in the traditional model to 3 days, providing efficient support for accident handling and claims settlement.

4. Typical Application Cases: Practical Implementation of Blockchain Electronic DGPCs

4.1 China’s “Smart Maritime” Blockchain Platform

In 2022, China Maritime Safety Administration, in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Transport, built the “Smart Maritime” blockchain platform, pioneering the pilot of on-chain electronic DGPCs at Tianjin Port and Shanghai Port. The platform covers 120 inspection agencies, 50 shipping companies, and 30 major ports nationwide, realizing the full-lifecycle on-chain management of electronic DGPCs from issuance to cancellation. By the end of 2024, the platform had processed over 800,000 electronic DGPCs, with a goods transportation traceability success rate of 99.8%. The efficiency of port dangerous goods inspection increased by 65%, and demurrage fees caused by certificate issues decreased by 80%. A chemical enterprise transported 100 TEUs of Class 8 corrosive substances through this platform, monitoring certificate circulation and goods status in real-time. Logistics costs were reduced by 12%, and customer satisfaction rose to 98%.

4.2 EU’s “Dangerous Goods Digital Passport” Initiative

In 2023, the EU launched the “Dangerous Goods Digital Passport” initiative, with blockchain electronic DGPCs as a core component, covering the Mediterranean-Atlantic dangerous goods maritime routes. The initiative realized the unified on-chain of inspection standards across 27 EU countries, with electronic DGPC data deeply integrated with port, customs, and shipping company systems. At Rotterdam Port, blockchain electronic DGPCs increased dangerous goods loading/unloading efficiency by 30%, and the document error rate in cross-border transportation dropped from 10% to 0.5%. Maersk Line, which participated in the initiative, stated that blockchain electronic DGPCs significantly improved supply chain transparency, reducing the response time for customers to query goods and certificate information from 24 hours to real-time.

5. Implementation Challenges and Optimization Paths

5.1 Key Current Challenges

1. Standard Disunity and Mutual Recognition Difficulties: Differences in dangerous goods inspection standards and electronic certificate data formats across countries and regions make cross-regional mutual recognition of blockchain platforms challenging. For example, the DOT dangerous goods classification standard adopted in the United States is not fully consistent with the IMO standard, preventing direct interoperability of electronic DGPC data.
2. Technical Costs and Enterprise Adaptation Pressure: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face high costs in deploying blockchain nodes and upgrading existing information systems, along with a shortage of professional technical personnel for operation and maintenance. A survey showed that 70% of small and medium chemical enterprises have not yet accessed blockchain electronic DGPC platforms due to cost concerns.
3. Data Security and Privacy Protection Risks: Electronic DGPCs contain enterprises’ commercial secrets and sensitive goods information. Despite encryption, access permission management for blockchain nodes still has loopholes, posing data leakage risks.

5.2 Optimization Paths and Solutions

1. Promoting International Standard Coordination and Mutual Recognition: Led by the IMO, joint maritime authorities worldwide to formulate global unified standards for blockchain electronic DGPCs, including data fields, encryption methods, and consensus mechanisms, and establish an international mutual recognition alliance. For example, under the “Belt and Road” dangerous goods maritime cooperation framework, prioritize the unification of standards and data interoperability among China, ASEAN, and the Middle East.
2. Building a Low-Cost Access and Empowerment System: Adopt a hybrid “public chain + consortium chain” architecture, allowing SMEs to access the platform via lightweight API interfaces without building their own nodes; governments establish special subsidies, providing 50% subsidies for technical transformation costs to SMEs accessing blockchain electronic DGPC platforms, reducing enterprise adaptation costs.
3. Strengthening Data Security and Privacy Protection: Adopt zero-knowledge proof technology to achieve “data usability without visibility”—authorized entities can verify certificate authenticity without accessing complete sensitive information; establish a blockchain node security audit mechanism, regularly checking node access logs to prevent unauthorized data access.

6. Future Outlook: Development Trends of Blockchain Electronic DGPCs

With continuous technological iteration and deepening industry consensus, blockchain electronic DGPCs will develop towards “full-element on-chain, intelligent collaboration, and global mutual recognition”. Technically, integrating AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies will realize intelligent linkage between electronic DGPC data and real-time goods status—for example, IoT sensors automatically update goods packaging integrity data to the blockchain, triggering dynamic verification of certificate validity. In terms of application scope, it will extend from maritime transport to multimodal transport scenarios such as road and railway, building an integrated “one-certificate-throughout” blockchain electronic DGPC system. In international cooperation, efforts will be made to establish a global unified blockchain dangerous goods transport information platform, achieving seamless information connectivity across countries and transport modes.

7. Conclusion

The integration of blockchain technology and electronic DGPCs provides a revolutionary solution to address insufficient transparency in the dangerous goods maritime transport supply chain. Through on-chain data for trustworthy sharing, smart contracts for improved circulation efficiency, and full-process traceability for enhanced risk prevention, blockchain electronic DGPCs not only reshape trust relationships among supply chain entities but also significantly improve the safety and efficiency of dangerous goods transportation. Despite current challenges such as standard disunity and high costs, with strengthened international coordination and continuous technological optimization, blockchain electronic DGPCs are bound to become a core infrastructure of the global dangerous goods maritime transport supply chain, providing solid support for the industry to achieve the development goals of “safety, efficiency, and transparency”.