From Pilot to Policy: Why the Future of Global Trade Runs on Digital Rails
In July 2025, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Inchcape Thailand, the UK Government, and LogChain collaborated on a high-profile cross-border shipment from the UK through Singapore to Thailand. While the cargo was just two vehicles, the impact of this shipment; fully documented, coordinated, and executed using a structured digital workflow is reshaping how we think about the global movement of goods.
The recently published UK–Thailand Trade Digitalisation Pilot not only delivered measurable operational and environmental results such as a 60% reduction in shipment process time, 90% fewer emails, and a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions from data traffic but also demonstrated a scalable model for modern trade.
At a time when supply chains are under growing scrutiny, geopolitical tensions are creating new compliance risks, and SMEs are still paper-bound by legacy systems, this pilot proves what’s possible today — not ten years from now.
Structured Trade: Real-World, Not Theoretical
Global trade isn’t broken but much of it still runs on fragmented email threads, PDF attachments, and duplicated documentation. For a single international shipment, 20+ actors exchange 10–20 physical or semi-digital documents. The result is delay, duplication, and vulnerability.
This is precisely where LogChain’s structured digital workflows come in.
Rather than requiring wholesale IT system change, we embed task-based, role-defined, auditable digital workflows into existing supply chains. In the JLR pilot, every document, approval, and exception, including a live vessel delay, was resolved within the LogChain platform, with no reliance on email chains or physical paperwork.
Critically, we didn’t just digitise — we standardised, streamlined, and secured. That’s what makes this repeatable and scalable, whether you’re a multinational like Rolls-Royce Aerospace or an SME trying to get product to market under new rules of origin.
From Policy Enablement to Commercial Momentum
The pilot’s success is no accident. It was enabled by the UK’s Electronic Trade Documents Act, the first G7 legislation to give legal force to digital trade documents, and supported by the UK’s broader trade strategy, which prioritises a digital corridor pilot programme, SME capability uplift, and a GOV.UK-based central hub for trade digitalisation.
LogChain has been proud to contribute to this journey — not only executing the world’s first fully digitalised movement of goods in 2023, but also working closely with UK departments, Chambers of Commerce, and private sector leaders to shape and implement real-world trade digitalisation.
Beyond Visibility: The New Standard for Trust
For us, trade digitalisation isn’t about dashboards or document scanners. It’s about trusted, interoperable workflows that deliver assurance across jurisdictions. As global trade grows more complex, and more regulated, the need for time-stamped, system-agnostic digital integrity is not a luxury; it’s a requirement.
Whether its chemicals moving through Southeast Asian transhipment hubs, aero parts being cleared at Heathrow, or compliance-heavy goods bound for the US, the message is the same: fragmented coordination is no longer fit for purpose.
Structured workflows, auditable approvals, and end-to-end digital coordination are no longer luxuries for the few they are fast becoming the baseline for trusted, compliant, and efficient trade.
Across sectors and borders, the shift is already happening. Those who adopt now will gain speed, agility, and resilience. Those who delay risk falling behind operationally and competitively.
At LogChain, we’re working with forward-looking businesses, governments, and trade bodies who recognise that digital trade isn’t a trend, it’s infrastructure. Whether you’re moving engine parts, electronics, chemicals or finished goods, the ability to coordinate securely, reduce friction, and respond to real-world disruptions is what defines supply chain leadership today.
If you're involved in moving goods across borders — or enabling those who do — we invite you to get in touch.
The tools exist. The policy foundations are in place.
Now is the time to act.
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Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
Lewis' programmes cover a range of policy areas within Market Access (international trade regulation, sanctions and export controls, technical standards and product compliance, supply chains) and Consumer Tech (media and broadcast policy, consumer electronics, and connected home technology).
Prior to joining techUK, Lewis worked in government affairs and policy roles for international trade associations in Southeast Asia including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Public Policy & Management from SOAS University of London.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Andie McKeown CMILT is a chartered logistician and the Co-Founder and CEO of LogChain, a pioneering digital utility platform dedicated to transforming global trade for anyone involved in making, moving, or consuming goods. With over 20 years of professional experience in international logistics and leadership, Andie has consistently delivered innovative solutions and services in some of the world's most challenging environments.
Andie has spent more than 20 years of his professional life in international logistics and leadership with a successful track record of delivering innovative services in challenging environments. Known for enabling innovation and tangible business growth, across culturally diverse organisations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Championing the notion that trade digitalisation is for all, not some and that good business and ESG are not a zero-sum game.
