Bill of Lading standard

Elimating paper and manual intervention

The problem

The Bill of Lading (BL) is the most important trade document in container shipping. Currently, stakeholders along complex supply chains using original BLs (OBLs) must physically courier the original documents to the importer so they can present them at the time of goods collection, which is inefficient, expensive and creates opportunities for fraud. Even with an electronic Telex release for OBLs or paperless Seaway Bills (SWBs), the lack of standard data formats and processes creates confusion that contributes to shipping discrepancies, operational delays, financial losses and higher costs.  

The solution

The DCSA Digital Trade initiative was designed to facilitate universal acceptance and adoption of a standards-based electronic Bill of Lading, applicable to both original Bill of Ladings and Seaway Bills. Using open source Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), DCSA BL standard enables straight-through processing of BL data, eliminating paper and manual intervention from BL processes. Standardised digitalisation of BL data and processes will help create a more secure, agile and sustainable supply chain ecosystem. DCSA is also working closely with eBL solution providers on technical and legal interoperability to enable seamless digital transfer of original BLs across different platforms and stakeholders, which will facilitate the global uptake of BL standards.  

The benefits

Optimise your supply chain with DCSA's Bill of Lading standard, enable frictionless sharing of digitised shipping data and improve efficiency of your shipment documentation and operations.

$30-40 billion in global trade growth

In a recent study, McKinsey estimates that if the electronic bill of lading gains 100% adoption across the industry, it could unlock around $18bn in gains for the trade ecosystem through faster document handling and reduced human error (among other improvements) plus $30-40 billion in global trade growth, as digitalisation reduces trade friction.

$30-40 billion in global trade growth

In a recent study, McKinsey estimates that if the electronic bill of lading gains 100% adoption across the industry, it could unlock around $18bn in gains for the trade ecosystem through faster document handling and reduced human error (among other improvements) plus $30-40 billion in global trade growth, as digitalisation reduces trade friction.

The FIT Alliance

Uniting behind the mission to standardise the digitalisation of international trade, DCSA BIMCO, FIATA ICC and SWIFT have formed the FIT Alliance. The FIT Alliance will work to generate awareness about the importance of common and interoperable data standards and common legislative conditions across international jurisdictions and platforms. The aim is to facilitate acceptance and adoption of an eBL by regulators, banks and insurers and to unify communication between these organisations and customers, physical and contractual carriers, and all other stakeholders involved in an international trade transaction.

Interested in adopting?

Whether you are a cargo owner, solution provider, or ocean carrier interested in implementing an API based on the Bill of Lading standard, please review the standard documentation or reach out to us for implementation support.

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