The global shipping market is massive. Today, it’s worth over $382 billion. By 2031, it’s projected to reach $4.2 trillion – roughly the size of Germany’s GDP.
Every day, millions of tons of goods move across borders. And with them, mountains of documentation. For exporters, one of the most important (and frustrating) documents is the Bill of Lading (BL).
In most cases, it’s still paper-based.
You need to create, print, sign, courier, track, and (sometimes) re-do the whole process if anything changes. According to the ICC, there are around 4 billion paper-based trade documents being processed globally at any given time.
This is not just an environmental concern. It’s a huge operational burden for exporters. So here are six reasons it’s time to stop.
1.Paper slows everything down
Paper documents are often still in transit while goods are already sitting at the destination port. This disconnect can cause costly delays and storage fees – especially when documents are stuck in customs or lost in international courier systems.
Electronic Bills of Lading (eBLs), on the other hand, are delivered in seconds. This means faster document exchange and more predictable timelines.
2.Manual processes cause errors and rework
With paper BLs, there’s often a lot of manual data entry. And where there’s manual work, there’s human error. A simple typo or missing field can delay cargo release, create compliance issues, or cause disputes.
eBLs reduce the need for double-handling data, ensuring higher accuracy and fewer costly mistakes. Plus, with solutions like trace:original, if there is an error in the document, you can easily invalidate it and send a new one instantly.
3.Documents can be lost or damaged
From coffee spills and crumples to entire envelopes going missing, physical documents are vulnerable. In international trade, a lost Bill of Lading can lead to delayed payments or cargo being held up at port.
eBLs are stored digitally and securely – no risk of water damage, courier mishaps or misplaced papers.
4. Administrative tasks take up valuable time
Printing, shipping, handling, and storing physical documents takes time and money. Not to mention the effort it takes to follow up, track, and verify receipt.
Switching to eBLs significantly cuts administrative overhead, freeing up your team to focus on high-value tasks.
5. Fraud risks are higher with paper
Paper documents can be forged, copied, or tampered with – a serious concern when the Bill of Lading serves as the title to goods.
eBLs, by contrast, can be digitally signed, encrypted, and include audit trails that make tampering virtually impossible.
6. Environmental impact matters
Paper, ink, shipping emissions, and storage all take a toll on the environment. For exporters with sustainability goals, paper BLs are an obvious place to make a meaningful change.
Going digital means reducing your footprint and contributing to greener global trade.
Who’s already using eBLs?
Plenty of exporters and logistics players are already reaping the benefits.
- Translogistics Inc. uses eBLs via a cloud-based TMS. This has streamlined their collaboration with carriers and improved tracking and visibility.
- Pegasus Maritime, a major freight forwarder, adopted a digital trade documentation platform to eliminate courier costs, cut admin time, and reduce errors.
How Enigio supports exporters with trace:original
If you’re ready to move away from paper, Enigio’s trace:original solution helps you issue and manage fully digital Bills of Lading – and any other trade document.
Here’s what sets it apart:
- Born digital. The document is original and tamper-proof from the moment it’s created.
- Instant transfers. Prevent delays and get your documents where they need to be in seconds.
- Improved cash flow. Faster document exchange supports faster payment processes.
- Accessible for all. No platform onboarding required. If you have email and internet, you can use trace:original.
- Legally robust. Based on MLETR standards, and of course trace:original is IG P&I-approved.
Learn more about how trace:original works for exporters.
Conclusion
Exporters shouldn’t have to waste time, money, and energy managing fragile pieces of paper. While paper BLs might feel familiar, they’re holding back your business.
Electronic Bills of Lading offer a smarter, faster, and more secure way to manage trade documents. And as the global trade ecosystem continues to digitise, staying ahead means making the switch now – not later.
Ship goods, not paper. It’s that simple.
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