The Bill of Lading (BL) represents the standard contract for maritime transport between the exporter and the carrier. This fundamental document determines, in particular, who is liable in the event of loss or damage to the goods. In 2025, while the CMR benefits from international regulation through the CMR Convention and is evolving towards the eCMR, the BL has not yet found such a well-defined legal and contractual framework in the maritime sector. This does not prevent FIATA and its partners from laying the foundations for the eBL, a crucial issue of interoperability, multimodality, and digitization.
The History and Evolution of the Bill of Lading
BL is a concept invented to refer to protection and compensation in the event of loss during transport. Historically, there are traces of the oldest BL dating back to the 17th century in Turkey for the transport of silk to London.
Three centuries later, respect for tradition persists. The shipowner no longer applies wax, but the import-export department continues to give the customer the document on which everything depends. It should be remembered that 80% of international trade travels by sea. This reality requires a large number of envelopes and documents to be sealed in order to respect tradition.
The Essential Functions of the Bill of Lading
The BL's missions are numerous and critical, whether it accepts this or not:
- Confirmation of loading: Confirm that the goods have been loaded onto the ship • Contractual materialization: Materialize the contract between the carrier and the exporter - Legal responsibility: The holder of the B/L is legally responsible for transport to the port of destination
Is this too much for a simple piece of paper that is easily falsified and fragile? It is not for us to judge. What is indisputable is that the BL remains the basis of all maritime transport contracts in 2025.
Slow but Necessary Digitalization
Despite the considerable stakes, digitization is progressing slowly. Electronic data publishing is a possibility, but paper persists and represents an obstacle to the fluidity of the supply chain.
To move from BL EDI to eBL, we talk about a paperless trade approach. This approach includes:
- Creating electronic documents
- Digital contract approval
- Electronic exchange of documents
- Associated financial transactions digitized
Today, in October 2025, the existence of a single eBL object is not required by law. However, multilateral agreements apply to recognize eBL as legal within alliances. These agreements aim to ensure that its validity is not called into question.
The International Legal Framework: Attempts and Progress
The historic Hague Rules, established in 1924, laid the foundations for maritime transport and BL. The issue of digitization has been the subject of much debate ever since.
Evolution of International Agreements
In 1968, the Hague-Visby Rules updated the text. However, the question of equivalence between paper and electronic documents remains open. The Hamburg Rules and the Rotterdam Rules provide additional mechanisms, but their adoption remains partial.
In 2017, the Rotterdam Rules modernized the legal framework. They have only been partially ratified: five countries initially and six others later. UNCITRAL has made progress with the MLETR model. This model aims to establish equivalence between paper and electronic documents and to avoid any electronic discrimination.
Furthermore, the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts extends these principles. It applies to all international contracts. These texts form the basis of the legal framework for the use of electronic documents in international trade.
FIATA's Vision for 2025 and Beyond
FIATA aims for paperless cross-border trade. This vision is in line with the cross-border paperless trade practiced by English-speaking partners. Although not officially imposed in all regions, this approach is gaining ground.
The FIATA approach brings together freight forwarders and supply chain stakeholders. The aim is to ensure the interoperability and traceability of information and documents.
The FIATA Organization: A Collective Force
FIATA brings together freight forwarders and specialized organizations such as:
- Customs Affairs Institute
- Air Freight Institute
- Multimodal Transport Institute
- Logistics Institute
FIATA develops standardized documents, including the FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading. This tool becomes essential when there are no international regulations to harmonize the use of bills of lading in maritime transport. FIATA is organized by region and its members include companies and associations.
Interoperability at the Heart of eBL
The discussion surrounding eBL focuses on data interoperability and integrity. The exchanges involve all stakeholders:
- Air and sea carriers
- Port operators
- Exporters
- Importers
As CMR evolves towards eCMR, FBL has given rise to eFBL. The latter was approved by UN CEFACT in 2022 and aligned with the Reference Data Model for Multimodal Transport (RDM). Proof of concept involving several suppliers and freight forwarders illustrates the validity of this framework. The goal remains to establish an interoperable and robust solution for all stakeholders.
The eFBL project is at the heart of FIATA's efforts to build a trusted ecosystem. It is a shared platform that allows partners to share information and documents. The system protects users' identities and rights.
The idea is to enable each actor to:
- Join FIATA
- Present your profile and your rights
- Have a shared space for sharing data
- Retrieve relevant information
Success depends on adoption by all partners. The risk of insufficient adoption must be avoided.
Technical and Practical Challenges
The debate surrounding APIs and possible technical limitations remains lively in 2025. Some observers point out that the lack of APIs and complex onboarding can hinder practical use. At the same time, several projects and demonstrations are continuing. These initiatives include the video sector and testing of integration solutions.
Available Platforms and Solutions
Complete Solutions for eBL
Several players are offering comprehensive solutions in October 2025:
essDOCS offers comprehensive solutions such as Assemble Cargo Docs and DSUA. The company focuses on integration via API.
Bolero offers historical advantages and is evolving towards eBL. The platform provides a document framework and a Title Registry system.
e-title adopts a peer-to-peer approach with HSM and Electronic Title User Agreement. The goal is to align the framework with MLETR.
edoxOnline, developed by GlobalShare, provides collaborative tools. The solution is designed for the entire supply chain and incorporates a blockchain solution.
These platforms offer modules covering: • Document creation • Electronic certification • Financial exchanges • Traceability capabilities • API integration
Automation of logistics documents
Automating logistics documents increases efficiency, reduces errors, and speeds up the processing of operations in the supply chain. It is a crucial step in the digitalization of the maritime and logistics sector.
Outlook for the Future of Digital Maritime Trade
The outlook remains positive but nuanced in 2025. eBL is progressing, and FIATA solutions and their partners are leading the way. The goal is greater interoperability and security.
Some analyses highlight the limitations and risks associated with emerging technologies. Blockchain and decentralized identity are among these technologies. Other experts support the benefits of gradual adoption.
Collaboration between FIATA, UN CEFACT, and private platforms is continuing actively. It remains to be seen whether the ecosystem will prove truly viable. The main challenge remains widespread adoption by all players in the logistics chain.
FAQs
Q.
What exactly is eBL?
The eBL (electronic Bill of Lading) is the digital version of the traditional maritime bill of lading. It fulfills the same legal and commercial functions as the paper document, but in electronic form.
Q.
Why is the digitization of the BL so slow?
Digitization is progressing slowly due to several factors: the lack of a unified international legal framework, resistance to change in a traditional industry, and technical challenges of interoperability between different systems.
Q.
What are the advantages of eBL over paper BL?
eBL offers several advantages: reduced processing costs, elimination of the risk of loss or falsification, faster transactions, and improved document traceability.
Q.
Is eBL legally recognized worldwide?
No, legal recognition of eBL varies depending on the jurisdiction. In 2025, multilateral agreements exist, but universal adoption has not yet been achieved.
Q.
How does FIATA contribute to the development of eBL?
FIATA develops standards, collaborates with international organizations such as UN CEFACT, and creates exchange platforms to facilitate the adoption of eBL in the industry.
Q.
What are the main eBL platforms available today?
The main platforms include essDOCS, Bolero, e-title, and edoxOnline. Each offers specific features for electronic bill of lading management.
Q.
What is the role of blockchain in eBL?
Blockchain can bring security and traceability to eBL transactions. However, its adoption remains controversial due to technical and practical considerations.
Q.
When can we expect widespread adoption of eBL?
L'adoption progresse mais reste graduelle. Les experts estiment qu'une adoption significative nécessitera encore plusieurs années et dépendra de l'harmonisation des cadres légaux internationaux.<br>La dynamique de l'eBL se renforce continuellement et la collaboration entre les différents acteurs s'intensifie. L'année 2025 marque une étape importante dans cette transformation digitale du commerce maritime international.
