A new pilot project aimed at improving the exchange of digital papers and certifications for the transportation of essential cargo has been unveiled by Hong Kong's GSBN, an independent not-for-profit technology association, and China's COSCO Shipping Lines.

Major international airlines and terminal operators make up GSBN's stockholders. The company received regulatory permissions and began operations in March 2021.

According to the group, the aforementioned digital pilot, with plans to integrate it with AI later this year, was conducted in December 2024 in collaboration with Longxing Chemical, a Chinese producer specializing in high-grade carbon black, a combustible substance used in the creation of rubber products, mainly tires.

It is recognized that the safe transportation of carbon black is necessary due to its importance in several sectors. GSBN has emphasized that before shipping firms can accept cargo like carbon black for marine transit, it must be certified safe to carry. However, the current procedure requires "complex" paperwork submissions during the booking process.

According to reports, the procedure consists of the following steps: COSCO receives safety certificates from Longxing, which are then validated by testing labs recognized by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment network. It is expected the travel and handling of such hazardous materials would be more efficient in this manner.