The Digital Revolution of the Shipping Industry: Electronic Bill of Lading, Blockchain Technology and Smart Contracts

The paper will focus on the latest changes of the transport sector due to the challenge of globalisation and to the advent of the digital age, that have offered new opportunities to the international maritime business, thus facilitating the development of more secure and streamlined services and data transactions. in such a perspective, this study provides an overview of the recent technological advancements and of the attempts, at the regulatory level, of settingup a system based on information and communication technologies (ICTS) in order to provide for electronic alternatives regarded as perfectly interchangeable with the paper transport documents. Particular attention is focused on the examination of the blockchain technology, whose influence on the logistics and transportation industry is going to keep growing. the research analyses the implications of the use of electronic documents and related to the development of smart contracts in the international trade and their substantial benefits, both in terms of transaction speed, efficiency and simplicity and in terms of cost reduction for transportation and logistics companies.