A 2024 survey conducted by FIT (Future of International Trade) Alliance) revealed a steady increase in the adoption of electronic Bills of Lading (eBL) which underscores the critical role of stakeholder collaboration in driving further progress.
The FIT Alliance, established in 2022 by the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (Swift), and Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), conducted the survey in collaboration with the HKUST Li & Fung Supply Chain Institute and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
The Alliance initiated the “Electronic Bill of Lading Declaration” to enhance the efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and security of global trade through the use of eBLs.
Since the first eBL survey in the summer of 2022, the proportion of users adopting eBL has risen significantly. The share of dual-format users (those using both paper and electronic bills of lading) has surged from 28.0% in 2022 to 41.7% in 2024. Consequently, the overall adoption rate—encompassing users of eBLs exclusively or alongside paper BLs—has increased from 33.0% to 49.2%.
Nearly half of the respondents now incorporate eBLs in some capacity, and 74.7% of paper-only users plan to transition to eBLs, up from 58.0% in 2022. Within this group, 32.2% intend to adopt eBLs within the next two years, compared to 22.0% in 2022.
The survey reaffirms that eBLs are regarded as a cornerstone of trade digitalization. An impressive 94.0% of respondents believe eBLs will unlock broader digital transformation, up from 86.0% in 2022.
Respondents highlighted faster processing (94.2%), cost savings through process efficiencies (89.8%), improved data accuracy (87.3%), and enhanced security (89.2%) as key advantages. These benefits illustrate eBLs’ potential to modernize operations and streamline global trade.
Despite these gains, the survey also identifies challenges hindering eBL adoption. Technological and platform-related issues remain the most cited barrier, identified by 71.2% of respondents.
Stakeholder readiness follows closely, with 61.7% emphasizing the need for better preparation and collaboration among supply chain participants. Legal acceptance, while improving, is still flagged by 42.6% of respondents as a significant obstacle, though this marks progress from 55.0% in 2022.
The survey reveals notable disparities in eBL adoption by geography, sector, and firm size. Adoption among respondents in Asia is markedly higher than in other regions, with 60.2% compared to 50% in the Middle East and 45% in Europe.
The banking sector, despite high awareness levels (82.5%), shows low adoption (21.1%), reflecting an apparent hesitancy or difficulty in implementation. Freight forwarders face challenges on both fronts, with below-average awareness (64.7%) and adoption (29.4%). In contrast, terminals and owner/carriers across bulk and container sectors lead the pack, boasting adoption rates above 73.0%.
Larger firms—particularly those with more than 250 employees—are adopting eBLs at higher rates. However, the data confirms that industry type remains the most significant factor influencing eBL uptake.
The FIT Alliance continues to champion standardized and interoperable solutions to address the technical, legal, and organizational barriers highlighted in the survey. The Alliance emphasizes that achieving seamless digital trade requires all stakeholders—across industries and geographies—to align and prepare for eBL implementation.
“While the industry has made notable strides in eBL adoption, it’s clear that greater coordination and capacity building are needed to enable stakeholders across the supply chain to operate seamlessly with eBLs,” the FIT Alliance stated. “These findings will guide our efforts in 2025 as we work to foster a truly inclusive and interoperable digital trade ecosystem.”
To support businesses on this journey, the FIT Alliance has developed a comprehensive Guide to eBL Adoption which provides actionable insights to help stakeholders navigate the transition to eBLs, address key challenges, and unlock their full potential.
