eFBL - How it works

You are ready to go the extra mile and want to electronically transfer your eFBL, including the secure transfer of ownership? Here is a brief explanation of how it works and how you can get started.

The digital FBL can be used as an electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) when transfered through one of the IGP&I approved eBL platform.

Legal validity

As there is currently no harmonized legal framework that recognizes the legal validity of eBLs, to be legally valid, an electronic Bill of Lading needs to transfered through one single platform, used by all parties that will have signed the platform private agreement/rulebook. By signing this private agreement/rulebook all participants agree to recognize the validity of an electronic document as the equivalent of a paper document.

IGP&I approved platforms

Since 2010, the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs, accepts to cover the liability of cargo transported under electronic documents issued only through platforms approved by the group.

There are currently 7 approved eBL platforms that you can choose from:

• Bolero
• CargoX - The platform has implemented the digital FBL solution, which means you can also issue and transfer the eFBL through the same platform
• edoxOnline - The platform has implemented the digital FBL solution, which means you can also issue and transfer the eFBL through the same platform
• essDocs
• E-Title
• IQAX eBL
• Wave BL

MLETR compliant platforms

In countries, where an MLETR (UN Model Law for Electronically Transferable Records) based legal framework is in place, additional platforms that allows to replicate the properties of paper documents, can also be used to electronically transfer Bills of Lading.

• Enigio - The platform has implemented the digital FBL solution, which means you can also issue and transfer the eFBL through the same platform