In our latest quarterly issue: blockchain trade/finance consortia gain momentum, country-led paperless initiatives spring to action, banks & fintechs get collaborative, ‘trade war’ concerns bring eCertificates of Origin to the forefront plus more! + SUBSCRIBE

Industry News & Views

Singapore launches national platform to digitalize trade: Singapore Govt. announces its Networked Trade Platform (NTP), a one-stop platform to digitize trade processing for traders, logistics companies, carriers and financiers (source: GTR). + READ MORE

HSBC, ING & other global banks reveal roadmap for R3 Voltron blockchain platform: Built by 11 global banks on the Corda blockchain framework, Voltron was the first trade finance prototype to be showcased by R3 in mid-2017 (source: GTR). + READ MORE

China announces acceptance of electronic documents for Customs clearance: A major milestone for paperless trade as China announces acceptance of eDocs for Customs clearance, effective 1 Aug 2018 (source: essDOCS). + READ MORE

Metal companies forge ahead for strong digi-shift across operations: Leading Indian metals companies are making great strides in digitizing their operational processes, resulting in tens of $US millions annual savings & efficiency gains (source: Business Standard). + READ MORE

Industry consortium to test blockchain use in bunkering: Recently announced consortium to address traceability & transparency in the marine fuel supply chain, bringing together Lloyd’s Register, BIMCO and others (source: Safety4Sea). + READ MORE

Digitization Offers Potential $US 39B Export Opportunity for India by 2022: Recent KPMG/Google India report projects that by 2022 digitization will unlock $39B worth of export opportunities for Indian businesses in select verticals (source: Express Computer). + READ MORE

How Banks Are Teaming Up To Bring Blockchain To Trade Finance: An insightful overview of major trade finance blockchain consortia at varying stages of maturity, involving many of the world's leading trade banks (source: CB Insights). + READ MORE

MOL using Artificial Intelligence to predict Freight Rates: Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines reveals it has been using AI technology to predict which way capesize freight rates will go (source: Splash 247). + READ MORE

World’s first autonomous & electric container ship one step closer to launch: YARA signs multi-million deal with VARD to build autonomous, zero-emissions vessel (source: Kongsberg). + READ MORE

Parliamentary Committee backs single digital 'window' for Australian trade: Committee on Trade & Investment Growth asks that a window trading system for exporting physical & digital good/services be created as a matter of priority (source: ZD Net). + READ MORE

Trading up: digital drags trade into the 21st century: According to ANZ’s Mark Evans, the intersection between trade systems and the digital economy may not be obvious but it is vitally important (source: ANZ Bluenotes). + READ MORE

Digitizing Trade for the future: A synopsis of recent trade digitization initiatives, including the International Chamber of Commerce's ongoing work on uniform rules supporting digital trade (source: Digital News Asia). + READ MORE

Banks step up to the fintech threat: Views on why the banks best positioned to capitalize on emerging fintech are those which can fully embrace a digital mindset and partner with solutions that put the customer first (source: bobsguide). + READ MORE

Top technology transformation drivers for banking: A look into key digitization drivers for banks, taking cues from the success of widely-adopted aggregators such as Uber, Airbnb, and Amazon (source: MoneyControl). + READ MORE

essDOCS News & Views

CargoDocs for LNG Trade rolls out globally: A major milestone for the digitization of Energy flows, as Shell rolls out CargoDocs for its LNG trades globally. + READ MORE
 

South Korea embraces CargoDocs: South Korea embraces CargoDocs, following the first ever use of the solution for shipments into the Asian country by essDOCS customer Cargill. + READ MORE

Mälardalen Chamber achieves over 90% Paperless Certification with essCert: Becoming the fastest EU Chamber to achieve 90%+ Paperless Certificate of Origin uptake, all in the course of just 3 months. + READ MORE

Johannesburg Chamber adopts essCert electronic Certificates of Origin (eCO): South African press coverage of Johanessburg Chamber's recent adoption of essCert eCOs (source: FTWonline). + READ MORE

Wichita Regional Chamber embraces essCert: Wichita Regional Chamber goes live with essCert eCOs, enabling its Exporter & Forwarder members to apply for eCOs online via the secure platform. + READ MORE

Certificates of Origin can minimize tariff impact amid brewing 'trade war': Insights on how COs can play a major role in minimizing tariff impact amid the brewing ‘trade war’ between the US, China & EU. + READ MORE

Is that Certificate of Origin for real?: Find out how our online Certificate of Origin Verification Tool recently helped protect essCert Chambers & Exporters who were targeted by unscrupulous fraudsters. + READ MORE

Freight Forwarders, global trade tensions & Certificates of Origin: With global trade tensions and tariff threats at an all-time high, getting Certificates of Origin right has never been more critical for Freight Forwarders and their customers. + READ MORE

essDOCS is Hiring: Seeking enthusiastic new Team Members to join our London and Athens offices. + READ MORE

essDOCS in Numbers