Join us for an interview with Przemyslaw Glodek, MSC Poland's electronic bill of lading (eBL) expert, on how this digital document is changing the shipping industry

What is eBL?

Przemysław Głodek: eBL is the electronic version of the paper Bill of Lading, which is the most important document in global trade. In this case, the document is stored in a digital format and transferred between parties via a dedicated digital platform based on blockchain technology.

Is eBL the same as a sea waybill?

P. Głodek: It's different and I'll explain. eBL replicates the functions of the traditional ocean Bill of Lading and has the same legal value as the all-important paper document. This document grants the parties ownership rights over the goods. A sea waybill, on the other hand, is an express document and cannot be negotiable. Therefore, eBL does not replace the express document known as sea waybill. eBL replaces the traditional paper Bill of Lading.

When did MSC Poland implement eBL?

P. Głodek: MSC Poland’s journey with eBL began in 2020. Today, MSC Poland has fully rolled it out and possess extensive knowledge about this solution. Our commercial colleagues are all thoroughly trained and able to conduct discussions and presentations for clients, showcasing the many benefits of using eBL. While onboarding the platform is easy, we fully support our customers during the process.

What are the benefits of implementing the electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) for customers?

P. Głodek: There are 5 key benefits to converting to eBLs. These are: simplicity, speed, cost efficiency, security, and sustainability. eBLs are transferred to all parties in a matter of minutes, and significantly simplify the document management process. Thanks to the digital solution, customers can manage their shipping documents 24/7 from anywhere in the world. It is estimated that physical Bills of Lading cost three times as much as an eBL, and research by the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) shows that just 50% eBL adoption could save the industry more than $USD 4 billion per year! Transitioning to eBL also helps to eliminate the need for paper and associated logistics processes, resulting in reduced resource usage and CO2 emissions.

How does eBL improve transaction security and what features does eBL offer compared to traditional Bills of Lading?

P. Głodek: eBL uses blockchain technology, which ensures data security and integrity. All transactions are encrypted, which minimizes the risk of forgery and loss of documents. In addition, verification and authentication are automated, meaning only valid recipients can access the data. MSC’s eBL also offers a range of advanced features such as the high availability which enables the ability to accept presentations outside working hours, the electronic presentation of all other trade documents with an eB/L (i.e.: Packing lists, Invoices, Certificates, etc), the auditability and traceability of the eBL between all parties thanks to the electronic signatures and the easy onboarding of business partners. These features enhance the transparency and efficiency of the entire logistics process.

Is using eBL more expensive than traditional methods?

P. Głodek: In fact, using eBL often leads to significant savings. Eliminating paper documents, reducing express courier costs, and faster processing times contribute to lower operational costs.

How are users registered and digital documents securely transferred on the eBL blockchain platform?

P. Głodek: All parties involved in transferring the digital document via the blockchain platform must be registered and interconnected. This ensures the security of the document transfer. The registration process in the eBL system is simple and intuitive. Customers need to register on our website to create their account. They will be guided through the next steps jointly by our teams and our solution provider. Additionally, both MSC and the eBL platform providers offer technical support and training to ensure a smooth transition to eBL.

What are the opinions of customers who already use eBL?

P. Głodek: We have had very positive feedback from customers who have switched to eBL, highlighting that they have noticed significant improvements and speed in processes and cost reductions. In addition, the number of eBL documents issued or received by MSC Poland is constantly increasing, suggesting customers are seeing the benefits and are motivated to make the switch to the digital document.

How many countries MSC can perform with eBL today?

P. Głodek: MSC is actively offering eBL in more than 110 countries in the world. What we’re seeing in the Polish market is that eBL usage is increasing rapidly on import routes from Asia, South America. Regarding the exports, we see interest in the same routes and especially to South America. Additionally, there is significant interest in using this document for exports to African countries, especially in the western part of the continent.

What does the future of eBL look like in the transport industry?

P. Głodek: The introduction of eBLs is an industry-wide effort that is transforming the sector towards paperless trade. Its benefits - improved speed, simplicity, cost efficiency, security, and sustainability, are too significant to ignore. We are confident that eBL will become the standard in the transport industry. The DCSA, of which MSC is a founding member, has also set a target to completely replace paper documents with electronic ones by 2030. We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with this solution and implement it.

Thank you for the interview.

P. Głodek: Thank you. Please visit our website to learn more and contact our experts.