Global container shipping major Hapag-Lloyd has partnered with WiseTech Global to publish Electronic Bills of Lading (eBLs) through Galileo, a cloud-native platform that integrates trade finance and electronic documentation workflows. The initiative supports Hapag-Lloyd’s goal of achieving 100% eBL adoption by 2030.
The first eBL issued by Hapag-Lloyd through Galileo was completed for GEODIS, a global transport and logistics provider and CargoWise customer. The transaction demonstrated the successful transfer of a verified electronic bill of lading from carrier to freight forwarder during a live shipment, marking a significant step toward digitalizing global trade documentation.
Galileo, developed by WiseTech Global, is integrated with the CargoWise platform and will soon connect with the INTTRA ocean shipping network. This integration provides Hapag-Lloyd access to one of the industry’s largest eBL ecosystems, linking approximately 22,000 logistics providers and other supply chain participants while covering nearly 90% of global ocean container capacity.
The platform connects carriers, freight forwarders, cargo owners, and financial institutions on a single network, enabling secure and real-time exchange of original shipping documents required for cargo release and trade finance transactions.
The integration is built on the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) API v3.0 standards. WiseTech has been among the earliest adopters and implementers of DCSA standards since the association’s formation in 2019 and is a member of the DCSA+ partnership program, which promotes industry-wide adoption of open digital standards.
Dr. Thore Lindemann, Team Lead IT – Connectivity & Internal Consulting at Hapag-Lloyd, said the company remains committed to delivering an industry-leading customer experience, with 100% eBL adoption serving as a key component of its digital transformation strategy.
“eBLs are faster, more cost-effective and more secure than traditional paper-based processes. By enabling immediate generation, access and transfer of shipping documents to all relevant stakeholders, they create significant value for both customers and carriers. Publishing to Galileo through DCSA-standardized APIs marks the next step in enhancing our digital customer offerings,” Lindemann said.
Under the new arrangement, Hapag-Lloyd customers opting for Galileo eBLs can access their documents through their preferred platform, including CargoWise, INTTRA, or Galileo directly. Self-service registration is available via Hapag-Lloyd’s website and through Galileo partner platforms.
Ashley Skaanild, Principal Advisor Carrier Integration and Transformation at WiseTech Global, highlighted the broader impact of electronic bills of lading on trade finance and logistics efficiency.
“The Bill of Lading not only triggers cargo release but also activates trade finance processes. Paper documents continue to create delays through manual handling, courier services and verification requirements. eBLs remove these inefficiencies by ensuring verified documents are instantly available to all authorized parties,” Skaanild said.
He added that Galileo enables logistics and trade finance operations to function on the same timeline, allowing banks to act on verified shipping documents in real time and enabling cargo owners to secure financing against goods while still in transit.
The partnership represents another milestone in the shipping industry’s transition toward paperless trade, helping streamline cargo movement, reduce administrative costs, enhance security, and accelerate trade finance processes across global supply chains.
