Towards the integration of blockchain technology into eCMR management systems

In the fast-evolving landscape of logistics and transportation, the efficient and secure management of electronic consignment notes (eCMRs) is crucial. The eCMR standard, established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), provides a framework for the digital documentation of freight transport. While traditional eCMR systems often face security, transparency, and traceability challenges, Blockchain technology offers a promising solution to address them, by ensuring immutable, transparent, and secure data transactions. This paper shows how blockchain technology can be integrated into eCMR management systems in alignment with the UNECE standards. Following a Design Science Research methodology, we conducted a multivocal literature review and developed a proof-of-concept validated via a performance and cost evaluation. The impact of this research is significant for logistics companies, as the developed system aims to streamline operations by providing real-time visibility into the status and movement of consignments, enhancing data accuracy, and reducing the risk of fraud. Overall, the proposed system aims to enhance operational efficiency, security, and transparency for logistics enterprises.