eTrade Finance Technology - particularly the emergent Bank Payment Obligation - was a prevalent theme throughout Q4 2014. The industry's shift towards paperless trade appeared to steadily expand in both size and scope, covering new ways of combining electronic Bills of Lading & supporting eDocs with innovative trade finance instruments such as the BPO. In addition, the growing digitisation of trade processes, the elimination of red tape, and the increasing uptake of paperless trade across new markets & geographies were all relevant themes which we anticipate will continue to play a major role in shaping the eDoc landscape over the following months:

Industry News & Views

BHP Billiton eyes BPO Trials: According to The Corporate Treasurer, the mining & commodities conglomerate is looking for partners to trial Bank Payment Obligation technology. + READ MORE
 

UNCTAD Annual Review of Maritime Transport 2014: Essential reading, featuring key insights & metrics on global seaborne trade, regulatory & legal developments and much more. + READ MORE

UniCredit Live with first OA BPO: A major step forward for electronic Trade Finance, as Bank Payment Obligation spreads to Open Account transactions (source: Global Trade Review). + READ MORE

BIMCO vs. Red Tape in Shipping: BIMCO supports IMO report calling for electronic documents & certificates to have equal weight as their paper counterparts (source: World Maritime News). +READ MORE

BPO ready to combine with eB/Ls as both continue to grow: TXF covers the recent ICC Banking Commission meeting, focusing on latest developments in the BPO & eDocs space. + READ MORE

FIATA issues note on fraudulent paper Bills of Lading: If you're still using paper B/Ls, read FIATA's recent warning to its members. + READ MORE

essDOCS Company News

essDOCS hits 2000+ Customer Milestone: eDoc adoption seen gaining major traction throughout 2015 as CargoDocs network continues to expand at a growing rate. + READ MORE
 

essDOCS appoints VP Business Development for Asia Pacific Region: Bringing over 30 years of industry experience, Taiwan-based Stanley Young to spearhead business development in Asia Pacific. + READ MORE

1st Annual essDOCS Gala Dinner: Held aboard the iconic Cutty Sark clipper ship and attanded attended by a who's who of senior executives in the shipping & trade industry. + READ MORE

essDOCS presents eFBL at FIATA World Congress: essDOCS COO & General Counsel, Marina Comninos, presents the newly-launched electronic FIATA Bill of Lading (eFBL). + READ MORE

CargoDocs News

CargoDocs Spreads to Romania: First use of CargoDocs electronic Bills of Lading in Romania, successfully used for gain export by Cargill. +READ MORE

Agricultural Bank of China signs on to CargoDocs: Chinese banking giant looks to support corporate customers' use of eTrade Finance. + READ MORE

Welcoming CargoDocs Academy!: essDOCS launches interactive eLearning platform, now readily available to all CargoDocs users. + READ MORE

CargoDocs in Numbers