Showcasing the future of global trade at Teesside Digital Trade Testbed

Policymakers, industry leaders, and technology innovators have been able to witness first-hand how a state-of-the-art Tees Valley facility is set to transform global trade.

Teesside University, in collaboration with Tees Valley Combined Authority, Teesside Freeport, ICC United Kingdom (ICC UK) and the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (iC4DTI), successfully hosted a two-day demonstration event at the Teesside Digital Trade Testbed, highlighting the transformative potential of digital technologies in global trade.

Located at Teesside International Airport, the Digital Trade Testbed is developing, deploying and measuring the impact of cutting-edge solutions to streamline international commerce.

The Testbed, the first of its kind in the UK, provides a secure, real-world environment for businesses to trial technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, geofencing, and decentralised digital identities.

The event demonstrated interoperable, governed connections across documents, identity and movement that deliver quicker clearance, earlier finance and lower fraud risk, thereby establishing the region as a global leader in digital trade innovation and driving forward the UK’s ambition to simplify and enhance international commerce.

At the demonstration days, delegates including representatives from government agencies, academia and freight and technology businesses, saw how the Testbed can support the drive to seamless trade through a series of immersive scenarios and demonstrations structured around three themes.

• Today’s Reality: A live walkthrough of current trade practices, showcasing the inefficiencies of paper-based systems.
• Building the Foundations: Demonstrations of enabling infrastructure including border processes, sandbox environments, and SME tools.
• What Great Looks Like: A glimpse into trusted, paperless trade systems and the unveiling of an Aurrigo autonomous vehicle set to operate at the airport later this year.

Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at Teesside University, said: 'The Digital Trade Testbed is a cornerstone of Teesside University’s commitment to innovation and economic growth.

'It empowers businesses to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and boost security through digital transformation.'

Professor David Hughes, Associate Dean (Research and Innovation) at Teesside University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, added: 'This project places Teesside University at the heart of pioneering solutions for the future of international trade.

'In doing so, it aligns perfectly with our mission to utilise our industry-informed expertise to deliver solutions which empower business and make this region a hub for innovation.

'By reducing administrative burdens – which account for up to 15% of trade costs – digital trade will help UK businesses save billions while promoting sustainability and efficiency.'

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: 'Our region has always been at the forefront of engineering, industry, and groundbreaking innovations, and this is another example of yet more progress unfolding right on our doorstep.

'Having led the way in creating the Teesside Freeport, this new testbed shows how we’re going even further to lead the way in making it easier for our local firms to trade internationally, and how we’re pioneering technology right here on Teesside which will have an impact on global trade, putting our name on the map as a place to invest, trade, create jobs and grow.

'It’s also great to see one of our new autonomous vehicles is now on site at our airport as part of this project, and I’m looking forward to seeing it in action very shortly.'

Chris Southworth, Secretary General of ICC UK and Co-founder of iC4DTI, said: 'The Teesside Digital Trade Testbed is a world-leading asset and set to be a critical part of the UK’s innovation ecosystem.

'I’m not aware of anywhere else like it in the world, so it’s fantastic to see it up and running and showcase it to industry.

'This will play a key part in bringing trade and commerce into the 21st century and firmly establish Teesside at the centre of that transformation.'

Jonathan Eaton, Independent Chair, CAM Testbed UK, said: 'The Teesside Digital Trade Testbed forms part of a unique portfolio of UK strategic capabilities through CAM Testbed UK, and is perfectly positioned to support the UK’s ambitions in the safe rollout of Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technologies, particularly in this high growth sector as it moves forward with the adoption of AI and connected autonomous services.

'These demonstration days, now and in future, will help develop attendees’ knowledge, and will reinforce both the expertise on offer through the Testbed, and the commercial opportunities available to UK industry presented through CAM technologies.'

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