Blockchain in maritime transport : Interoperability of bill of lading on blockchain platforms

Abstract

The Shipping and Transport Documentation (Bill of Lading - B/L) is a contract between a carrier and a shipper, functioning as a title of ownership in international maritime transport. It is essential in the global trade context but has historically resisted digitalization, resulting in reliance on manual, physical processes and consequently leading to inefficiencies, high operational costs, and vulnerabilities to fraud. This dissertation addresses the dematerialization of the B/L through an architecture focused on a process of data standardization and blockchain technology. The main objective is the development of a system capable of generating electronic B/Ls in an agnostic format, ensuring interoperability between different platforms and unalterable traceability. To this end, the solution adheres to the standards proposed by the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), ensuring that the data model is consistent with the maritime transport industry’s standards. Subsequently, the integrity and life cycle of each electronic B/L are ensured through the registration of its information on a blockchain, which functions as an immutable and distributed ledger. The developed prototype demonstrates that this approach not only facilitates the digitalization of the B/L process but also creates a secure, transparent, and auditable ecosystem, which is essential for the future of international trade.