A multi-agent system with blockchain for container stacking and dispatching

Abstract

Port Logistical Supply chains play a very important role in society. Their complex and adaptive behaviours promote the suggested applications of combining a multiagent system with blockchain for solving complex problems. Several technologies have been proven positively to work in logistics, however the concept of combining converging technologies such as blockchain with deep reinforcement multi agent is viewed as a novel approach to solving the complexity that is associated with many facets of logistics. A simulator was developed and tested for the problem of container stacking. The simulation results indicate a more robust approach to currently used tools and methods.

Application Prospects of Blockchain Technology to Support the Development of Interport Communities

“…The growing interest in blockchain technology in the shipping sector is also evidenced by the development of the related scientific literature. However, most of the available studies seem to focus primarily on the main trends and challenges [12][13][14][15], technical aspects [9,16,17], general opportunities [5,8,18,19], and impacts related to state-of-the-art technologies [10,20,21], while the practical implications of adopting blockchain solutions for specific port processes, as well as the actual repercussions for the different actors, seem to need further investigation, also considering that the technology is still new and immature [22]. A further observation is that, although some trials and blockchain pilot projects are already available in the maritime industry, they are mainly attributable to autonomous initiatives of industrial operators or single ports [23][24][25][26][27].…”