A Blockchain Prototype for Improving Electronic Seals on Container Shipping Operations

With the widespread use of electronic seals (e-seals), their traceability and security have attracted more and more attention. Moreover, the complexity of shipping operations and container handling justifies the use of technologies to ensure information security in the face of attacks. This work contributes a blockchain-based solution with a simulated prototype for improving electronic seals for containers on terminals in ports. An electronic seal was designed, and a blockchain prototype was constructed for a container data flow. The obtained results from the prototype were evaluated using performance tests. The security issues in the blockchain were also discussed from a strategic perspective based on game theory. Finally, the simulation concluded that the blockchain improves transaction efficiency. No studies were found that integrated blockchain technology with electronic seals. Therefore, this work intends to combine blockchain technology with e-seal to improve the security of transferred data due to its immutable nature.

Automated summary

This work introduces a blockchain-based solution with a simulated prototype to enhance electronic seals for containers in port terminals. An electronic seal design and a blockchain prototype for container data flow were implemented. Performance tests were conducted to evaluate the prototype's results, and security issues in the blockchain were discussed using game theory. The simulation concluded that the blockchain improves transaction efficiency. As no prior studies have integrated blockchain technology with electronic seals, this work aims to combine them to enhance the security of transferred data due to the immutability of blockchain.