Sri Lanka urged to rapidly move on to e-Bill of Lading

Ranjana Kaviratne, addressing a large gathering of industry executives at a training program organised by the Shippers’ Academy Colombo (SAC), extensively talked about simplifying documents and urged the industry to move towards e-bills of lading for international trade and transportation.

“We hear ‘e’ everywhere. Even kids know what ‘e’ is. However, one cannot be that happy with the speed of move to ‘e’ by the shipping trade in Sri Lanka. When we speak of development, it should also go hand-in-hand with the improvements in technology.

“If we look at the statistics of how the shipping lines are moving to the ‘e’ platform, in particular the Bill of Lading, it is not that pleasing. One big reason for this is either the trade is not concerned of its importance or not vigilant to move with the times,” she said.

She explained that at the beginning of the millennium, it was easy for the industry to say that Sri Lankan law does not permit the e-Bill of Lading. However, everyone now should be happy and welcome the passing of the bill in 2004 in the Parliament accepting the e-signature. This opens the doors wide to get going with the e-bill of lading. Apart from it, the UCP always had provisions for accepting the e-signature,” she remarked.

My message for the trade is walking to the e-platform in shipping has a heap of advantages.  If one is to go forward, one should also be willing to change. Open your arms and mind for changes and welcome e-channels in your day-to-day shipping activities, very specially the e-bill. If you need any help in this regard, contact the SAC who will assist you,” she advised.

Ranjana who is a consultant trainer for the SAC and has years of experience in the field and started her illustrious carrier at Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) and subsequently worked for Maersk Line in Colombo.

The Shippers’ Academy Colombo (SAC) is a leading academic institution specialised in global commerce and logistics and it is the only standalone academy that brings in current and professional industry topics for discussion and analysis to the trade to upgrade knowledge and skills in subjects across the supply chain, international trade and logistics.

SAC has developed many short courses and training modules to uplift the industry standards and skills and works in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Foundation (SLF), an institution coming under the purview of the Presidential Secretariat.

The Bills of Lading training program is one of the annual training programs conducted by the Shippers’ Academy Colombo.