Trade finance platforms are multiplying on shared standards, with 21 eBL systems approved by shipping's P&I clubs
A trade finance platform puts the buyer's approval, the trade document and the payment on one record. The International Group of P&I Clubs lists 21 approved eBL systems, and ADB expects full digitalization to cut trade costs by 8% on average.
Container eBL usage reached 12.8% in November 2025, against a carrier pledge of 100% by 2030
An electronic bill of lading (eBL) is a bill of lading issued and passed on electronically. It can stand for the goods where the law treats control of the record like holding paper. Container eBL usage reached 12.8% in November 2025, against a carrier pledge of 100% by 2030.
The bill of lading is receipt, contract and document of title, and an order bill's holder holds the cargo claim
A bill of lading is issued by a carrier as a receipt for goods. It is also a carriage contract and a document of title, and the holder of a negotiable, or order, bill holds the claim to the cargo.