E-bills of lading come of age


Laura Starr, of the UK Club, reports on how electronic bills of lading have become an accepted way of doing business


After a slow start, the switch to electronic bills of lading (eBLs) is definitely gaining momentum with there now being three approved systems and the promise of an exciting new world ahead where everything can be achieved with the click of a button. The global trade in goods involves multiple stakeholders such as carriers, distributors, cargo interests, banks, insurers, government agencies, terminals and customs authorities. This means a lot of paper documents are generated, copied and sent all over the world.