DCSA completes first interoperable electronic Bill of Lading transaction with eucalyptus pulp trader - Trade Treasury Payments

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DCSA completes first interoperable electronic Bill of Lading transaction with eucalyptus pulp trader

The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has completed the first successful standards-based, interoperable electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) transaction, a milestone in the long-running effort to digitise global trade documentation.

Despite longstanding digital alternatives, eBL adoption has lagged due to fragmentation across platforms. As a result, paper has largely remained dominant, preventing the industry from accessing an estimated $6.5 billion in annual direct savings and $40 billion in incremental trade flows, according to McKinsey.

This pilot changes that.

The live transaction, enabled by DCSA’s interoperability framework, saw an eBL transferred between HMM and Suzano via two different eBL providers. It is the first time that a DCSA-compliant eBL has moved across platforms in real time. The project also involved platform providers CargoX and EdoxOnline. DCSA has a target of 100% eBL adoption by 2030.

According to the DCSA, its interoperability framework is built around a Platform Interoperability (PINT) API, Legal Framework, and Control Tracking Registry (CTR).

John Kim, Senior Manager Digital at HMM, said, “We recognise the value of interoperability between eBL solution providers to achieve DCSA’s ‘100% eBL by 2030’ goal. It was an incredible experience to participate in this interoperability pilot as a carrier and see eBL being sent to our shipper, Suzano, on two different platforms in real time.”

Targe Bock, COO Suzano Europe, said, “Suzano’s participation in one of the first standards-based interoperable eBL transactions reflects our commitment to innovation and operational excellence. This achievement shows how collaboration can unlock real value and drive efficiencies across the supply chain.”

Bojan Čekrlić, CEO of CargoX, said, “Global trade needs multiple parties to work, and the digitalisation of trade needs those parties to share data and documentation easily. Concerns around what is truly interoperable and what changes must be made to existing systems have held back adoption of innovations such as eBL. With interoperable eBL, we’ve overcome that obstacle.”

Alejandro Pernías, President and CEO at EdoxOnline, said, “This fully interoperable eBL live transaction demonstrates that title-data can seamlessly be transferred digitally across multiple platforms, streamlining trade execution without relying on a single eBL provider. We remain committed to driving eBL adoption to help the international trade community harness the benefits of going paperless.”

With the core framework in place, more transactions are in the pipeline. Enigio and CargoX are preparing a pilot with HMM and a Fortune 500 shipper in Q2. WaveBL and TradeGo are planning a separate transaction involving DCSA member ONE and a major freight forwarder. Other providers are either in the process of onboarding or have been invited to join.

Niels Nuyens, Chief Product Officer at DCSA, said, “The foundation for the digital exchange of shipping documentation and data is in place. With DCSA standards and interoperability protocols ready, seamless eBL exchange is no longer a myth, it’s a reality. The time to act is now: adopt eBLs and help drive the future of digital trade.”

The pilot follows several years of cross-industry collaboration between DCSA, its member carriers, solution providers, and shippers.