COSCO Specialized Carriers joins the global consortium to drive for paperless trade
17 January 2023 - Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), an independent, not-for-profit technology consortium building a blockchain-enabled operating system designed to redefine global trade, announced that COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers has joined the consortium as a member and successfully issued the first electronic bill of lading (eBL) for bulk cargo.
COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers focuses on the transportation of special cargo including oversized, super-heavy and bulk cargo that are not suitable for containers. Given the nature of such cargo, shipping usually requires a longer transportation cycle and involves a more complex supply chain. Therefore, a flexible and versatile way to circulate bills of lading, in replacement of the traditional paper format, has a significant impact to the business in terms of enhancing efficiency, improving customer experience, mitigating risks, facilitating trade finance and ultimately expanding global trade.
Following the completion of its digital platform integration with IQAX’s eBL application built on GSBN’s blockchain infrastructure last year, COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers has embraced a full suite of eBL services, including issuance, circulation, endorsement, amendment and replacement in a trusted and secure environment. It has now issued its first eBL for ELDORADO, a customer specialising in Contract of Affreightment (COA) for paper pulp, and it will continue to roll out eBL services for its wider customers.
Bertrand Chen, CEO of GSBN said, “The issuance of this eBL for bulk cargo is a significant milestone. For mass adoption to happen, eBL solutions must address the holistic needs of the shippers for all the forms of maritime transportation, whether it’s container, bulk or tanker. This is why GSBN’s platform and infrastructure has been designed with the consideration of different standards and inherent interoperability from the get-go. As we look to the year ahead, we can expect even more carriers, financial institutions and other stakeholders across the industry embrace paperless trade.”
Hu Yiyang, Digitalization Team Leader of COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers said, “This blockchain-based eBL transaction marks a breakthrough for our business – it is unprecedented and an impressive step forward in our digital transformation journey. Harnessing the power of GSBN’s blockchain infrastructure and the IQAX eBL solution built upon it, we are able to upgrade the customer experience and generate new value for our customers. We will continue to explore collaboration opportunities and bring more innovative services to customers across the globe.”
This latest announcement builds upon existing efforts by GSBN and partners in its ecosystem to develop eBL solutions, as well as its collaboration with standards bodies including the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) and the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), to ensure its blockchain infrastructure can support all types of eBL solutions.
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About GSBN
Incorporated in Hong Kong, the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) is an independent, not-for-profit technology consortium to build a blockchain-enabled operating system to redefine global trade. The platform facilitates trusted collaboration between disparate and competing market participants, as well as enabling greater efficiencies and resilience. It also aims to expand the global trade ecosystem by creating bridges to new market participants including banks, fintech companies and other consortia, while supporting the development of technology-driven innovation as the sector makes the leap to digital.
The consortium was first founded by 8 global leaders in the global shipping industry accounting for one in every three containers handled in the world.
About COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers
COSCO SHIPPING SPECIALIZED CARRIERS CO., LTD. as a vital member of COSCO SHIPPING Group, owns and operates more than 130 vessels, including Pulp Shipments Vessels and Others like Log carriers, Heavy lift vessel, Multipurpose vessel, Semi-submersible vessel, pure car carrier, asphalt carrier, RO-RO and etc. As global biggest specialized Cargo shipping company, COSCO SHIPPING SPECIALIZED CARRIERS CO., LTD. endeavors to become the greatest shipping & Logistics supplier in global specialized Cargo transport industry.
Press Contacts
Edelman for GSBN
June Wong
+852 2837 4786