The Straight Bill of Lading in a Paperless Future

NUS Law Working Paper No. 2022/013

NUS Centre for Maritime Law Working Paper 22/04

48 PagesPosted: 22 Sep 2022

Michiel Spanjaart

National University of Singapore (NUS) – Faculty of Law

Date Written: September 22, 2022

Abstract

This paper examines the status and historical development of straight bills of lading. It analyses the position of straight bills of lading under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992 (UK), and the practical function of straight bills of lading as a mechanism for blocking the transfer of goods to a consignee. The paper goes on to explore the possible future of electronic straight bills of lading under the Rotterdam Rules and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records. The paper argues that electronic straight bills of lading can be successfully introduced without the need for registers, blockchain technology, or even revised legislation.

 

Spanjaart, Michiel, The Straight Bill of Lading in a Paperless Future (September 22, 2022). NUS Law Working Paper No. 2022/013, NUS Centre for Maritime Law Working Paper 22/04, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4226551 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4226551
The Straight Bill of Lading in a Paperless Future
The Straight Bill of Lading in a Paperless Future