In a landmark development for international shipping, the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has successfully completed the first standards-based interoperable electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) transaction. This significant breakthrough—achieved in collaboration with major eBL solution providers—promises to eliminate long-standing platform silos and accelerate the shipping industry’s transition to fully digital, paperless trade. It’s a key milestone on the path toward DCSA’s ambitious “100% eBL by 2030” goal.
Breaking Platform Barriers: Interoperability is the Game Changer
Until now, the lack of interoperability between eBL platforms has hindered the global adoption of digital documentation. Most platforms required all parties in a transaction—carriers, shippers, forwarders—to use the same service provider. This fragmentation limited the massive potential benefits of eBL, which include $6.5 billion in direct cost savings and $40 billion in increased trade, as per McKinsey & Company.
With DCSA’s interoperability framework, that roadblock is now being dismantled. The framework is built on three key pillars:
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PINT API: A standardised interface enabling secure, seamless eBL transfers between providers.
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Legal Framework: A multilateral agreement that defines common rules across platforms.
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Control Tracking Registry (CTR): A secure digital log that tracks which platform currently manages an eBL, ensuring transparency and trust.
Collaboration in Action: Carriers and Shippers See Real-Time Benefits
The pilot transaction involved multiple stakeholders across different platforms. HMM, one of the carriers, successfully sent an eBL to its shipper Suzano, across two different eBL systems. This real-time success is a powerful demonstration of the system’s practical viability.
Key voices in the industry have praised the pilot:
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John Kim of HMM said interoperability is essential to reach the 2030 goal.
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Suzano’s COO, Targe Bock, highlighted the operational value this brings to supply chains.
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CargoX CEO Bojan Čekrlić emphasized the breakthrough in overcoming platform dependency.
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edoxOnline CEO Alejandro Pernías called the achievement a step forward for streamlined, global trade documentation.
Industry-Wide Momentum: The Future of eBL is Here
DCSA’s initiative is not an isolated success—it marks the start of a wave of interoperable transactions. Leading providers like Enigio, WaveBL, TradeGo, and others are now working to integrate DCSA’s standards. Several joint transactions with Fortune 500 companies and large freight forwarders are expected in the upcoming months.
According to Niels Nuyens, Chief Product Officer at DCSA, the digital foundation has now been laid: “The foundation for the digital exchange of shipping documentation and data is in place,” The call to action is clear—it’s time for the industry to scale adoption and transform how trade documentation is managed.
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Source: Digital Container Shipping Association
