ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author provides some profiles on possible developments in our legal fields of blockchain and smart contracts. Blockchain technology is gradually shaping many sectors of business. Tradelens is a permissioned blockchain, presented as a ‘neutral platform’ using ‘open standards’ and capable of allowing all members of the blockchain to have relevant information concerning any moving cargo in real time. The availability of all information concerning a given number of carriers might be capable of generating anti-competitive effects, in so far as sensitive information could become available among competitors. Information which is in the blockchain is per se transparent and accessible, but will remain forever available and accessible, and should not therefore contain personal or sensitive data. The digital economy and e-commerce have profoundly changed the patterns of transport. One might assume that, in the shipping and transport industry, the transmission or uploading of personal or sensitive data concerning the individual would not be very frequent.
