The digitisation of trade processes continued to dominate industry news throughout Q3, with a marked emphasis on Bank Payment Obligation and it's potential to transform, and even redefine, the trade and trade finance landscape in regions such as Africa and Asia Pacific. In company news, among other notable developments, we achieved a major milestone in surpassing 3,000 customers (marking a year-to-date increase of our customer network by 70%), and also welcomed the expansion of our global presence and scope of services with the launch of essDOCS Consulting - our Amsterdam-based consulting arm which now becomes the 7th essDOCS office globally. 

Industry News & Views

Transforming the business of banking: SWIFT’s Andre Casterman offers his view on the transformative potential of trade digitization for corporate user groups. (source: SWIFT). + READ MORE

essDOCS demonstrates the power of paperless: Our very own Alexander Goulandris discusses the ongoing journey to digitizing an entire industry (source: European CEO). + READ MORE
 

ICC releases guidelines for creating BPO customer agreements: An extremely useful resource for banks looking to facilitate BPO transactions for their customers. (source: ICC). + READ MORE
 

Delivery of cargo in African ports against fraudulent Bills of Lading: Hellenic Shipping News reports on yet another case of fraudulent paper B/Ls, this time concerning container cargos in African ports. + READ MORE

Vroom Vroom for BPO following StanChart automotive first: Yet another first for Bank Payment Obligation (BPO), as the automotive industry embraces digital trade finance (source: TFR). + READ MORE

Asia may pave the way for faster BPO adoption: Outlining Asia's potential to lead the way in widespread Bank Payment Obligation uptake, in light of an ideal product/market fit. (source: The Asset). + READ MORE

e-Air Waybill update: The air freight industry makes significant strides towards 100% paperless trade, with electronic Air Waybill (eAWB) use now reaching 31.7% of all feasible trade lanes (source: IATA). + READ MORE

4 Steps to a better managed supply chain: Crucial insights on the key steps required to achieve a better managed supply chain, focusing on 'platform, metrics and people' (source: Tradeshift). + READ MORE

Bank Payment Obligation stands to boost African trade: An insightful perspective on the BPO's untapped potential to stimulate African trade and economic growth (source: Businessday). + READ MORE

Startups compete for freight forwarding as they wade Into global shipping: Freight Forwarding is going digital, with numerous tech startups shaking up a $160 billion global business that hasn’t kept up (source: Wall Street Journal). + READ MORE

How the digitisation of trade finance is rocking the boat for banks: Hari Jarakinaman on the emerging digitisation of trade finance and the role of banks in processes now being transformed by eDocs & BPO (source: ANZ Blue Notes). + READ MORE

Is finance ready for the demands of digital supply chains: IndustryWeek argues that real value creation from supply chain digitization can only be achieved if Finance processes follow suit. + READ MORE

essDOCS Company News

essDOCS surpasses 3,000 Customers: A major company milestone, with year over year customer network growth exceeding 70%, on track to surpass 3,750+ Customers by years' end. + READ MORE

essDOCS launches essDOCS Consulting: Amsterdam-based consulting arm to guide and assist banks & corporates in the adoption of FinTech solutions for digital trade and trade finance. + READ MORE

essDOCS Users & Stakeholders Association holds first Americas DDG Agri Workshop: Attended by delegates from the major global Agri Houses and representatives from NAEGA and the USDA. + READ MORE

Growing the essDOCS Operations Team: Welcoming aboard Clinton Elston, our newly-appointed VP Operations & Security. + READ MORE

CargoDocs News

Dow Chemical goes live with CargoDocs: Leading global chemicals company completes first live transaction using CargoDocs. + READ MORE

Online Barge Registration: Signing up to CargoDocs for Barges has never been easier. + READ MORE

CargoDocs for Barges 15.4 released: Featuring major improvements relevant to Barge Traders, Masters / Owners and Surveyors. + READ MORE

essDOCS in Numbers