摘要
Many instruments have helped traders to effectively communicate,establish contracts,manage risk and protect their benefits while collaborating with people who have diverse cultural backgrounds.The B/L(bill of lading)has been one of the most significant documents in the shipping industry since it was invented in the 13th century in Italy.It is an evidence of existing contracts between the shipper and the carrier,in which both of them agreed to deliver the goods safely from the port of loading to the port of discharge.However,many problems are triggered by requiring the presentation of the original paper B/L at the discharging port so that the buyer gets the cargo in time.As of today,many attempts were carried out to develop an electronic equivalent to the paper B/L.Additionally,many practices were formed in order for these electronic equivalents to be legally reinforced and enhanced.This article presents the main transitional stages of these efforts and the status of this progress.It analyses the legal background which has been established to validate these ventures and the option of using an electronic B/L in order for the ships to be able to deliver the goods without the presentation of the original document.In the meantime,this article highlights potential areas for further investigation.
