The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), along with its nine shipping line members, has confirmed it has reached phase two of its electronic bill of landing platform proof of concept.
DCSA states that its fully interoperable eBL is going to allow beneficial cargo owners and shippers to select the eBL provider based on service levels, while at the same time maintaining all consistency to complete the electronic documentation exchange process with shipping lines, banks and all other stakeholders, even if there are different platforms in use.
Phase one of the proof of concept process was completed in May 2022, with completion of phase two estimated for completion by the end of 2022.
As part of the proof of concept approach, CargoX, edoxOnlinr, ess DOCS and WAVE BL are to implement DCSA eBL Interoperability Standards across the full bill of lading lifecycle process to mirror a live shipment undertaking.
Completion of phase two will be achieved with “full technological interoperability between participating eBL platforms,” DCSA confirms.
Thomas Bagge, CEO of DCSA, offers further insight into the process and what has been achieved to date. “For the global supply chain, fully interoperable eBL is a starting point for digital trade. It will make today’s practices more efficient, reliable and sustainable, but ultimately it will provide a foundation for further digitalisation. Actors in global supply chains want to be able to choose the best platform for their needs. For service providers, it will remove barriers to adoption and create an operational foundation that fosters innovation and collaboration. According to our year-end 2021 research, less than 1.2 per cent of all bills of lading were electronic. We urge all industry stakeholders to get involved and work towards 100 per cent eBL adoption.”
