Projects
FIATA eFBL (Electronic FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading)
Bringing trust and security through digitalization
A digital version of the FBL has been long awaited and this is now becoming a reality! FIATA’s eFBL project does not only include the release of the eFBL data model as an open-source standard but will also add a trust and security layer on top of the digital document.
eFBL data standard
The data standard, created on the basis of the mapping of the paper Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) with the UN/CEFACT (United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business) Multimodal Transport Reference Data Model, allows the exchange of BL data in standardized way, facilitating interoperability between all modes of transport and industry stakeholders.
Available through FIATA’s Git-Hub repository, the data standard is available as open source for all software providers and industry stakeholders to implement.
API service to issue secured paperless FBLs
The release of the eFBL data standard is a first step as part of FIATA’s eFBL solution, which will include the imminent launch of an API service, available for free to all software providers, to allow freight-forwarders to easily issue secured paperless FBLs, through their everyday tools. The service will enable the issuance of PDF FBLs. Each document will be registered on an immutable ledger, allowing stakeholders to verify the document at anytime by accessing the document audit trail, which will certify the validity of the document, the identity of its issuer as well as the integrity of its content.
Both the technical and operational feasibility of the solution were confirmed through a seven months Proof of Concept, which was successfully concluded in August 2021. The POC involved 7 software providers (AKANEA, Bolero, eCustoms, eDox Online, CargoX, Cargowise, TradeWindow) as well as 19 Freight Forwarding companies who tested the full lifecycle of the eFBL.
FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading
The Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading of Lading is a trustworthy and reputable trade document. It is the only truly multimodal negotiable standard Bill of Lading, set up by FIATA for the use by freight forwarders acting as Multimodal Transport Operators (MTO). The ICC logo, visible on the top right of the document, demonstrates its conformity with UNCTAD/ICC rules for Multimodal Transport Documents. Find out more about the FBL.
For more information about the project, please contact Lucelia Tinembart, Digital Projects Officer at [email protected]
Watch the video to learn more about the project.
FIATA digital identity
The way data is exchanged has evolved. Data is no longer shared in a bilateral way, but is now made available through ecosystems to trusted stakeholders who proactively retrieve data from its original issuer. This means that a secured identification of the ecosystems participants is key to ensure both the data issuers and receivers can be trusted.
The strategy's first project aims to create digital identity profiles for its members, which will include tailored information (liability insurance information, common legal entity identifiers, etc.) certifying that they are valid FIATA members and trustworthy companies. The profile information will be accessible to software providers and FIATA members stakeholders, through an online registry. FIATA members will keep control over their data, as they will be able to choose exactly which information is shared with whom.
Watch the video to learn more about the digital identity project.