Browsing by Subject "Maritime transport"

The traditional paper Bill of Lading (B/L) remains a cornerstone of international trade, functioning as a receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title for goods transportation. Despite advancements facilitating faster trade, paper B/Ls persist. This thesis investigates the limited adoption of electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) systems, despite their existence for over two decades. It examines the efficacy of eBLs in replicating paper B/L functionalities, explores the eBLs legal frameworks, and evaluates the effectiveness of the existing eBL platforms in mitigating fraud. Furthermore, it critically appraises Blockchain technology's potential as a solution that can completely resonate the ‘document of title’ function of the paper B/L by providing uniqueness to each transaction. This thesis asserts that Blockchain-based B/Ls can offer a secure, digitalized alternative aligned with international trade rules, potentially overcoming limitations of paper B/Ls, and fostering industry-wide adoption at global level.