The group formerly known as the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance has expanded its mission and been renamed the Blockchain in Transport Alliance, reflecting its widened focus on all forms of transportation.

BiTA is dedicated to setting standards for blockchain applications developed for transportation. The alliance was formed by tech and transportation executives to create a forum for promotion and education, and to encourage development and adaptation of blockchain applications within the transportation and logistics industries.

While initially focused on bringing blockchain technologies to trucking, the group includes several members that have business interests in several transportation modes, including air, maritime, intermodal, pipeline, and rail.

“Since BiTA launched this past fall, we have seen overwhelming interest from all forms of transportation companies, not exclusively trucking,” said Chris Burruss, president of BiTA. “These organizations wanted an organization to further their interests in blockchain standards, working on the same framework, regardless of mode.”

BiTA has also opened offices in London and Singapore because of their importance in global transportation and commerce.

Blockchain is a digital database using blocks of secure data that can be used to keep records of information or assets. The database can be accessed by companies tied into a system to see and use the same data on these transactions, creating efficiency throughout a logistics chain.

“Expanding our focus and footprint is a reflection of a broader mission, but blockchain standards in trucking and road freight are still enormously important,” said Burruss. “Seventy-five percent of all goods in North America are moved by truck, but as we focus on cross border and global trade, other modes such as maritime are far more prevalent. We are growing our team rapidly and expanded our infrastructure to focus on the evolution of the freight market.”