The global supply chain industry is undergoing major changes as technologies such as blockchain pave the way for paperless operations.
Dale Christie, blockchain strategist at transportation, e-commerce, and business services specialist FedEx, has been at the forefront of this transformation with his extensive experience in global logistics. He believes blockchain and other complementary technologies are poised to reshape the supply chain landscape.
A global perspective on supply chains
Christie says understanding the future of supply chains requires a broader, more global perspective. He likens the view to observing Earth from the International Space Station.
“At this level, there are no companies, no industries, and no borders. This is the default position when thinking about global supply chain transformation,” he says.
This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of modern logistics, where collaboration across regions and industries is essential. Today's supply chains are no longer constrained by physical limitations and instead rely on digital tools that enable seamless operations.
Blockchain’s role in the supply chain revolution
FedEx's blockchain experience began in 2017, with Chrystie leading the company's early use of the technology. By 2018, FedEx executives were publicly touting blockchain's revolutionary potential.
Recalling the key moment, Christie explained: “As our Chairman Fred Smith said at Consensys in New York City, “If you're not operating at the cutting edge of innovation, you need to be prepared to become commoditized or potentially disappear.'' 'These are pretty strong words, but they reflect the bold vision we had at the time, and we still do.'
Christie simply defines and summarizes blockchain as follows: “Blockchain is a digital ledger that is permanent, transparent, and shared. It’s like double-entry bookkeeping, but digital. It’s persistent because of encryption, and transactions are transparent because they are visible to both parties. It is shared because it resides on the cloud.”
This clarity is critical, as the complexity of blockchain often prevents widespread understanding. Christie believes that by simplifying the concept, the technology will gain widespread acceptance.
Harmonizing standards for a digital future
A key challenge in implementing blockchain at scale is harmonizing global standards. Christie points out that there are more than 60,000 standards around the world, many of which are fragmented and lack interoperability.
He emphasizes: “Harmonized and interoperable standards are essential if we want to move forward. It's about normalizing the way we consume data at a global level.”
FedEx also discovered that openness is key to scaling blockchain technology. The company developed its own blockchain solution early on, but quickly realized its limitations.
“We built a global supply chain blockchain in 2018, but then realized we couldn’t scale it because it needed to be open,” Christie explains. “It will take all of us – businesses, governments and individuals – to build an open infrastructure layer.”
Complementary technologies and their impact
Blockchain is just one piece of the jigsaw puzzle. Sensors, AI, and digital ID are all important technologies for modernizing supply chains.
Citing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as an example, Christie said: We combined blockchain and sensors to create an immutable record of cargo temperature, location, and movement. ”
This approach highlights blockchain's ability to increase transparency and trust in critical supply chains. Similarly, the concept of digital product passports, especially in Europe, aligns with sustainability goals by tracking the lifecycle of products, from raw material extraction to recycling. Christie believes these innovations are essential to creating a more transparent and responsible supply chain.
The changing face of e-commerce
Christie also has a keen interest in how e-commerce is evolving, contrasting today's fragmented systems with the potential for a unified digital experience.
He said: “Currently, we log into different platforms, each with its own shopping cart and checkout process. What if we had ? That is the future of open commerce.”
This vision eliminates intermediaries and gives consumers more control over their purchases, creating a seamless and efficient commerce model.
Collaboration through “collaboration”
One of the aspects that Christie finds most interesting is “cooperation,” when rivals work together to achieve a common goal.
Highlighting an interesting example, he says: “FedEx and UPS split the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. We literally served half the country and worked together to ensure timely and efficient delivery. It's a cooperative competition. It's not about where we compete, it's about where we can agree.”
This spirit of cooperation extends to global standardization efforts. Christie points out that industries such as railroads and airlines have adopted sharing standards to enable growth, and blockchain presents similar opportunities.
“The Internet was the first global technology, but standards such as TCP/IP and HTTP were predefined,” he comments. “Blockchain didn't start that way, which is why its adoption has been slow. It will take a global village to scale this technology.”
The way forward
Christie envisions the future of global supply chains, saying: “We are at a moment in history where we can completely rethink processes. Digitizing data elements allows us to go beyond traditional limitations. Blockchain, AI, sensors, and digital identity are becoming fully digital. accelerating the transition to a more modern world.”
This transformation requires collaboration across sectors, regions and industries. The logistics industry, governments and individual businesses must work together to build the frameworks and technologies needed to support a more transparent, efficient and sustainable future.
(Photo provided by FedEx)
See also: Blockchain technology emerges as key solution for EU deforestation compliance
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