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BIMCO Format eBL

The BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council) format eBL is designed for charter party Bills of Lading and specialized maritime transport contracts.

1. Overview​

The BIMCO eBL format includes:

  • Shipper and consignee information
  • Stem number and notify address
  • Vessel and port details
  • Cargo description with gross weight
  • Charter party information
  • Freight amounts and payment terms
  • Original B/L numbering
  • Place and date of issue
  • Carrier signatures

2. View BIMCO eBLs​

Access BIMCO eBL List​

  1. Click on BIMCO format eBL from the left sidebar
  2. You'll see a list of all your BIMCO format eBLs

BIMCO eBL List

List View Information​

The list displays:

  • B/L: Bill of Lading reference number
  • FORMAT: BIMCO
  • CARRIER: Carrier email address
  • REFERENCE NO: Reference number
  • PORT OF LOADING: Origin port
  • PORT OF DISCHARGE: Destination port
  • STATUS: Document status
  • CREATED AT: Date of creation
  • ACTION: Edit and delete buttons

3. Create BIMCO eBL​

Step 1: Access Creation Form​

  1. Click on BIMCO format eBL from the sidebar
  2. Click the + Create New button
  3. You'll be taken to the "Create BIMCO format eBL" form

Create BIMCO eBL

Step 2: Shipper and Consignee​

Shipper​

  • Select DNS from dropdown
  • This identifies the shipper organization

Consignee​

  • Enter the consignee name or "to order"

Contract No​

  • Enter the contract number if applicable

Step 3: Stem Number and Notify Address​

Stem No​

  • Enter the stem number (voyage identifier)

Notify address​

  • Enter the address of party to be notified upon arrival

Vessel​

  • Enter the vessel name

Step 4: Port Information​

Port of loading​

  • Enter the loading port

Port of discharge​

  • Enter the discharge port

Step 5: Shipper's Description of Goods​

Add cargo details in the table:

  • SHIPPER'S DESCRIPTION OF GOODS: Detailed description of cargo
  • GROSS WEIGHT: Total weight of goods
  • ACTION: Click + button to add more rows

BIMCO Cargo Details

Step 6: Charter Party Information​

Of which tons on deck at Charterers' risk​

  • Enter the tonnage loaded on deck (if applicable)
  • Specify charterer's risk amount

Step 7: Charter Party Details​

CHARTER-PARTY dated​

  • Select the charter party date using date picker
  • Format: dd-mm-yyyy

Received on account of freight​

  • Enter the freight amount received in advance

Freight payable at​

  • Enter the location where freight is payable

Step 8: Place and Date of Issue​

Place and date of issue​

  • Select the place and date of B/L issuance
  • Use date picker for date selection

Step 9: Number of Original B/L​

Number of original B/L​

  • Enter the number of original Bills issued
  • Typically 3 originals are issued

Step 10: Signature​

Signed for the Carrier carrier​

  • Click Sign here button
  • Authenticate with your connected wallet
  • Digital signature is cryptographically secured

Step 11: Company Logo (Optional)​

  • Upload company logo or stamp
  • Accepted formats: JPG, PNG, GIF
  • Displayed on the generated BIMCO eBL

Step 12: Preview and Generate​

  1. Toggle Preview to review the document layout (optional)
  2. Verify all information is correct
  3. Click Generate eBill Of Lading button
  4. Confirm the blockchain transaction
  5. Wait for confirmation (usually 1-2 minutes)
  6. Your BIMCO eBL is created and recorded on blockchain

4. Edit BIMCO eBL​

Modify an Existing BIMCO eBL​

  1. From the BIMCO eBL list, click the Edit button (pencil icon)
  2. Make necessary changes
  3. Click Update button
  4. Confirm the transaction
  5. New version is created with audit trail

5. Delete BIMCO eBL​

Remove a BIMCO eBL​

  1. Click the Delete button (trash icon) next to the eBL
  2. Confirm deletion in the dialog
  3. The eBL is removed from active list

⚠️ Note: Blockchain records remain immutable for compliance and audit purposes.

6. BIMCO eBL Features​

Key Advantages​

  • Charter Party Compliant: Designed for charter party contracts
  • Maritime Industry Standard: Recognized by BIMCO members worldwide
  • Flexible Freight Terms: Supports various payment arrangements
  • On-deck Cargo: Accommodates deck cargo declarations
  • Blockchain Security: Tamper-proof and verifiable

When to Use BIMCO eBL​

Use BIMCO format when:

  • Shipment is under a charter party agreement
  • You need BIMCO standard compliance
  • Dealing with bulk cargo or specialized vessels
  • On-deck cargo is involved
  • Charter party terms need to be referenced

7. BIMCO vs Standard vs FIATA​

FeatureStandard eBLFIATA eBLBIMCO eBL
Use CaseGeneral cargoMultimodal/Freight forwardingCharter party
IndustryAll shippingFIATA membersBIMCO members
Cargo TypeContainerizedDoor-to-doorBulk/Specialized
PartiesCarrier-ShipperForwarder-ShipperCharterer-Owner
FlexibilityStandard termsMultimodal termsCharter terms

✅ Next: Learn how to Verify & Endorse electronic Bills of Lading.