Policy & Compliance
Where shipping stands on the adoption of electronic bills of lading
industry players now use eBLs in some form, up from one-third in 2022. Container shipping is leading the change, with major carriers such as Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM pledging to adopt 100% eBLs by 2030. Bulk shipping sectors, such as iron ore and crude oil, are also catching up, with usage in some trades now reaching 25%. What is holding back widespread use? One of the biggest hurdles to eBL adoption has been legal recognition. The UK’s Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA) of 2023 gave eBLs equal legal
Elisabetta Scanferla of Lester Aldridge reports on the recent acceleration in the adoption of electronic bills of lading and argues that opportunities will fall the way of early adopters
I n a world increasingly driven by digital transformation, the traditional paper bill of lading (B/L) is fi nally giving way to its electronic counterpart. The adoption of electronic bills of lading (eBLs) has accelerated in 2025, marking a pivotal shift in how global trade is conducted. The advantages are clear: reduced courier costs, faster trade flows, fewer disputes over lost documents and greener supply chains. It is estimated that
widespread adoption of eBLs in shipping could save 28,000 trees per year and significantly reduce emissions associated with document transportation and storage. For a long time, the question remained: can eBLs really replace paper bills? So far, adoption has been slow but is rising. In 2021, only about 1% of bills were issued electronically. By August 2025, that figure had climbed to 11%. Nearly half of
12 | November 2025
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