OOCL - Customer – IQAX eBL FAQ

Customer – IQAX eBL FAQ

General & Market

IQAX - General

IQAX - Charges

IQAX - Account Registration

IQAX - Usage

General & Market

1. What is an eBL?

eBL stands for ‘Electronic Bill of Lading’ which is a digital version of the paper-based bill of lading.

2. What is the benefit of using eBL?

eBL (Electronic Bill of Lading) has a myriad of advantages in terms of reduced costs, information accuracy, data security, efficient circulation, being energy-efficient and low carbon and realizing other benefits that simply cannot be provided by the traditional paper-based bill of lading.

3. What is the benefit of using eBL versus Seaway Bill?

IQAX eBL, built on blockchain technology, is an excellent tool for eBL management. One of the benefits of using eBL is that the information is already in digital format, which enhances efficiency in record keeping. Together with the tracking of action performed history throughout the eBL exchange process, it enables thorough BL management in track and trace.
While Seaway Bill has its benefits, converting Seaway to eBL, it makes all your B/L easier to manage and monitor, especially if you are already using eBL(s) for your Original Bill Of Lading (OBL)s.

4. Is IQAX eBL a legal document and is it secure to use eBL service?

Since June 2022, IQAX has obtained approval from the IG P&I Club, acknowledging that IQAX's electronic Bill of
Lading (eBL) holds an equivalent legal status to the traditional paper-based Bill of Lading. Currently, the legality of eBLs relies on the agreement between the parties involved and is legally binding by IQAX eBL Service Terms
and Conditions.

An important development is the enactment of the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 which grants documents like eBL the same legal status as physical trade documents.
• Relevant Link: Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

In terms of security for eBL service, IQAX has obtained ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, covers provisioning and operations of IQAX eBL. The statement of applicability includes all controls without any exclusions. A yearly review of the Information Security Management Policy is performed. Data-at-rest and Data-in-transit encryption are implemented to protect IQAX eBL data. Identity and access management is managed through identity protection and privileged identity management to ensure only authorized parties to access IQAX eBL data.

5. What is the usage projection for the eBL market?

From a shipping industry perspective, customer behavior is evolving into a digital transformation period from a cost and convenience standpoint. From an eBL marketplace positioning, there is a Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) with several different ocean carriers as members that commits to achieve 100% adoption of standardized eBL by 2030.
From an OOCL perspective, we aimed to provide an added value service to our customer to facilitate the handling of bills of lading to be a secure and fast option.

6. From Shipper and Consignee perspectives, what are the requirements and impact to convert to eBL?

Since eBL is transmitted online via the IQAX eBL platform, Shipper and Consignee must have access to the platform. Shipper and Consignee will perform the exchange of ownership of the electronic bill of lading (eBL) on the IQAX eBL platform itself.

7. Is there any country that does not accept eBL?

The eBL issuance depends upon local regulations. For example, paper-based BL is a customs requirement for the countries of Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, and Pakistan (for export from Pakistan). There are also countries where eBL is not yet supported by the local market, logistics parties, and financial institutions. Please feel free to reach out to our local contacts for advise on the feasibility of using eBL service in a particular country.

IQAX eBL platform - General

1. What is IQAX?

IQAX is a global information technology company. IQAX develops intelligent solutions on strong digital foundations of blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive the industry forward, facilitate access to a broad range of data, and respond almost instantaneously to supply chain disruptions.

2. What is IQAX eBL?

IQAX eBL is one of IQAX’s applications which supports eBL management for trading parties, and financial institutions. It not only offers issuance of online Bills of Lading, but also enables different logistics parties such as shippers, cargo owners, forwarders, and banks to manage the eBL and to perform title transfers, surrenders for delivery, status updates and history reviews.

3. What is the relationship between OOCL and IQAX?

IQAX is a subsidiary of Oriental Overseas International Ltd. which owns one of the largest integrated international transport and logistics companies in the world, IQAX is an independently operated technology company with strong heritage in the global shipping industry.
OOCL’s eBL solution is powered by digital solutions provider IQAX Limited and built on Global Shipping Business Network ("GSBN")'s blockchain technology platform. OOCL uses IQAX eBL applications for eBL issuance and surrender for delivery.

4. Is IQAX eBL an independent application that differs from My OOCL Center and other OOCL applications?

Yes. IQAX eBL portal is an independent application developed and managed by IQAX. It requires its own account setup and login credentials. It is different from My OOCL Center and other applications managed by OOCL.

5. Is there any system integration required for using eBL?

No. There is no system integration setup needed. Customers only need to register for an IQAX eBL account and can manage eBL tasks via IQAX eBL portal by logging in with the registered email and password.
Customers can prepare and submit their shipping instructions (SI) to OOCL as per their current practices (for example, via EDI or via My OOCL Center, etc.) and indicate eBL service as Bill of Lading Release channel on their SI.

6. As IQAX eBL is a multi-carrier platform, is my OOCL eBL safe and secure from other carriers that I do business with?

Your OOCL's eBL solution is safe and secure. Other carriers do not have access to your IQAX eBL data. IQAX utilizes blockchain technology, which accesses a single source of truth. Therefore, the records are protected by a secure and transparent information exchange. The data is confidential and visible only to the parties on the bill of lading. Here are some additional features on eBL platform utilizing blockchain technology:

Benefits	Non-blockchain eBL	Paper-based B/L
Transfer B/Ls securely and entirely online to save costs and operate more efficiently by removing courier costs and avoiding printing on paper.		No
Gain efficiencies with faster title transfer for cargo release by not having physical documents couriered.		No
Track cargo movement details alongside the B/L transfer history within the application to enable a shared view among all parties.		No
Access a single source of truth with document authenticity and security. Records are immutable and traceable, preventing documents from being lost or tampered with.	No	No

IQAX eBL platform - Account Registration

1. Which shipping parties need to register for an IQAX eBL account for using eBL?

For a straight eBL (where Shipper and Consignee is stated in the BL documentation), the Shipper and the Consignee in the BL will both need to register for an eBL account.
For a negotiable eBL (where Shipper is stated in the BL documentation but not the Consignee), the Shipper (acting as the Endorser) will need to register for an eBL account. All other parties involved such as Endorsee and Final Endorsee will also need to register for an eBL account. When the eBL is to be authorized to the Shipper’s agent for handling on the Shipper’s behalf, the Shipper’s agent will also need to register for an eBL account.

2. How to register an IQAX eBL account and where can I get the user guide for the eBL account?

Customers can register for an eBL account via online registration form on the OOCL website. Once the account is registered and activated, an online training material is available. It will help you navigate and complete eBL tasks. You can locate those materials under the ‘Instruction’ section at the top of the page after user is logged in.

3. Will I receive an email notification after I submit my eBL registration on the OOCL website?

After a customer submits the registration form. they will receive a prompt message stating: “Dear, Thank you for your interest in our eBL solution. Our customer service representative will contact you shortly. Thank you! OOCL Webmaster”

4. How do I activate my IQAX eBL account?

There will be an activation email sent to the user’s registered email. The link in the activation email will be valid for 7 days. If you were unable to activate your account within 7 days, please send email to IQAX customer service team (customerservices@iqax.com ).

5. If I have not activated my IQAX eBL account after the first 7 days, will I get a reminder email from IQAX?

There is no activation email reminder sent by IQAX. If you noticed the link is no longer active, you can send email to IQAX customer service team (customerservices@iqax.com ) and ask them to re-send a new activation email to you.

6. I already have an IQAX eBL account with COSCO, do I need to register with OOCL again?

Yes, you will need to register with OOCL again. You can submit the online eBL registration form on the OOCL website.
There is also an option to submit a registration request to a new carrier. You can login to IQAX eBL portal under ‘Setting > User Profile’ there is a dropdown called ‘Select new Carrier’ where you can select ‘ORIENT OVERSEAS CONTAINER LINE LIMITED’ and then click the ‘Send Onboarding Request to New Carrier’ button. IQAX will then trigger a registration request to OOCL.

7. Will I have a separate account for each carrier I register IQAX eBL with?

IQAX eBL account is based on an email address. If you registered eBL with multiple carriers using the same email address, you will be able to view and manage eBL tasks of these multiple carriers under the same IQAX eBL account.

8. After I have registered IQAX eBL and able to access the platform, what should I do next?

After you have registered and access the IQAX eBL platform, you can contact our local customer service team to let them know that you would like to receive and surrender your Original Bill of Lading (OBL) via IQAX eBL channel. Alternatively, you can indicate within your shipping instruction the bill of lading methodology would be via eBL.

9. How can I add additional users for my company in IQAX eBL platform?

IQAX eBL provides an ‘Admin role’ feature that allows administrators to add users directly. in IQAX eBL application. Customer can also send email to IQAX customer service team ( customerservices@iqax.com ) to request to add additional users.

IQAX eBL platform - Usage

Accessibility & Visibility

1. Can I see the eBL of other locations or branches of my company in my IQAX eBL dashboard?

This depends on how you set up your account. To see the eBL for other locations or branches of your company, you need to have your account registered under each of these locations/branches. Once that is setup, your account will display eBL from those locations/branches in which you have registered.

2. Can I work on eBL(s) of different offices with a single IQAX eBL user account?

Yes. IQAX eBL user accounts can be registered and linked with multiple offices.

3. Is it possible to monitor and manage the eBL usage status of each branch with the head office user account?

Yes. To achieve this, you need to have the head office user account registered/linked under each branch.

4. Is it possible to distinguish internal users and/or authorized agents by destination, origin, commodity, and cargo nature within the same registry?

For “User account setting,” IQAX eBL offers a backend setup that enables user visibility control of eBL by First Port of Loading and Last Port of Discharge. Customer can raise request to IQAX customer service for such setup.
For setting up “One-off Authorization,” IQAX eBL offers customer to define the eBL to be auto authorized to its agent by “First Port of Loading” and “Last Port of Discharge” as dimension. Customer can define the eBL scope of its “One-off Authorization” for its authorized agent by using these as dimensions.

eBL Ownership

5. When will the ownership be transferred from Shipper to Consignee?

For Straight eBL, the ownership will be transferred from Shipper to Consignee upon:
(1) Shipper (or shipper’s agent) transferred the eBL to Consignee, or
(2) The Bank confirmed receipt of eBL escrowed by Shipper.

eBL Issuance

6. How long will I receive the eBL after submitting the upload request?

This depends on the arrangement between the customer and local customer service team.

eBL Amendment

7. If I want to change the content of the eBL, what should I do?

If you want to change the content of the eBL, you can submit an ‘Amend’ request by clicking the ‘Amend’ button for an eBL inside the IQAX eBL application. IQAX will notify OOCL on your ‘Amend’ request. The ‘Amend’ request will be reviewed by corresponding OOCL customer service team. The ‘Amend’ request will then be either accepted or rejected by the team. If the ‘Amend’ request is accepted, the local customer service team will assist in handling the change and charge relevant amendment fee if applicable.

8. Can the consignee see any amendments that the Shipper makes?

Once the eBL is issued to Shipper on IQAX eBL platform, the Consignee can see a copy version of the eBL on its IQAX eBL account. After Shipper requested for amendment to its eBL and the new amended eBL is re-issued via eBL, the Consignee can see a copy version of the amended eBL on its IQAX eBL account.

9. How to apply B/L amendment if eBL has been transferred to Consignee?

There are three parties (Shipper, Shipper’s agent, and Consignee) who can request for eBL amendment. If the eBL had been transferred to Consignee and there is a need to amend the eBL, the Consignee can raise the amend request to OOCL via the ‘Amend’ function in IQAX eBL platform.

10. If the Consignee has been changed in the eBL, will the original Consignee still be able to view them in IQAX eBL dashboard?

The visibility of the eBL in IQAX eBL platform is based on the latest parties stated in the latest eBL. To this question, it depends on the latest Consignee in the eBL. If the Consignee has been changed in the eBL, the original Consignee will no longer see this eBL in their IQAX eBL dashboard.

Authorize eBL

11. Is it possible to release the eBL to Shipper’s agent directly?

It is a requirement for shippers to have an eBL account regardless of shipper will have an agent to handle eBLs tasks. IQAX eBL platform enables Shipper and its agent to arrange a “One-off Authorization” setting which establishes an automatic authorization from shipper to agent for eBL handlings given it fulfilled the criteria stated in the “One-off Authorization” setting. Once OOCL issues an eBL to Shipper’s account, system will check the Shipper’s “One-off Authorization” setting then shipper’s agent can action on eBL tasks.

12. Can I make a correction if I wrongly ‘authorized’ the eBL to the consignee, instead of ‘transfer’ the eBL to the consignee in IQAX?

Once authorized the eBL to another party, the eBL cannot be returned to Shipper manually. You will need to raise this issue to IQAX customer service for their assistance. To minimize such scenario, there is an ‘Agent Management’ setting in IQAX eBL platform that requires Shipper to maintain their list of Shipper’s agents. Upon performing ‘Authorize’ action in IQAX eBL, only Shipper’s agents that have been added to the Shipper’s Agent list, in ‘Agent Management,’ can be selected.

13. Whether one shipper can authorize more than one authorized party to manage the eBL?

For each eBL, Shipper can only authorize it to one authorized Shipper’s agent, so one authorized party only. A Shipper can have multiple Shipper’s agents that manage different eBL independently.

14. Can one authorized party be authorized by more than one shipper?

Yes, an authorized agent can be the authorized party of multiple shippers.

15. When Shipper nominates Agent (e.g.: Forwarder) to act on their behalf – is the eBL uploaded directly to the Agent IQAX account, or is it to the Shipper IQAX account, with the system automatically ‘delegating’ the eBL forward to the Agent account?

All eBL will be issued to Shipper’s IQAX account. When ‘One-off authorization’ setting is in place between Shipper and its agent and the eBL meets the criteria stated in the ‘One-off authorization,’ the eBL will automatically be ‘authorized’ to the Shipper’s agent IQAX account.

16. Is it correct that shipper does not need to take any further action in IQAX eBL after the eBL has been authorized to its agent?

After the eBL has been ‘authorized’ to the Shipper’s agent IQAX account, the Shipper’s agent will act on Shipper’s behalf to perform eBL operation in IQAX instead. The eBL’ s custodian is the Shipper’s agent, and all action buttons for that eBL in Shipper IQAX account is disable (so Shipper does not take any action).

eBL Transfer

17. How to transfer eBL to consignee in IQAX?

In IQAX eBL platform, Shipper is given a list of action buttons which allows them to perform different eBL tasks. When a Shipper wants to transfer an eBL to Consignee, Shipper can click on the ‘Transfer’ button.

18. How to check which user has transferred the eBL in IQAX platform? Any history log in system can be referred?

IQAX eBL displays the details of all users and action taken under the ‘Document Events History’ section. On each event history, the account email of the user who performed the action is also visible to all users under the same company profile.

19. Can I revoke or withdraw the eBL after transferring it to consignee in IQAX?

Once the transferred action has been performed in IQAX eBL platform, it cannot be revoked or withdrawn. In the event that this occurs, please contact your local customer service team to review the case.

Surrender eBL

20. How long is the lead time for consignee to receive the eBL from Shipper?

This depends on Shipper decision on when to transfer the eBL to Consignee. Consignees can align the arrangements with Shippers.

21. How does the consignee surrender the eBL to carrier via IQAX?

In IQAX eBL platform, Consignee is given a list of action buttons which the Consignee can use to perform different eBL tasks. When a Consignee wants to surrender an eBL to OOCL for delivery, Consignee can click on the ‘Surrender for Delivery’ button.

22. Can the consignee authorize its agent to arrange eBL surrender for delivery to carrier in IQAX?

IQAX eBL platform only support Shipper’ agent role (Authorized agent). There is no Consignee’ agent role in IQAX eBL platform. Consignee account users need to perform ‘Surrender for Delivery’ to OOCL themselves.

23. Once a consignee has surrendered an eBL back to the carrier, can the eBL be revoked by the consignee?

Once the consignee surrendered the eBL to OOCL, the eBL cannot be revoked by the consignee. Consignee can contact OOCL about it concern and why it needs to revoke the eBL.

To Order Shipment

24. How to manage ‘To Order’ shipment for eBL?

In IQAX eBL platform, ‘To Order’ shipment has the ‘Negotiable’ eBL type. The eBL Shipper has the role of ‘Endorser.’ Endorser can perform ‘Endorse & Transfer’ the eBL to Endorsee. The Endorsee who received the ‘endorsed and transferred’ eBL can further ‘Endorse & Transfer’ to another ‘Endorsee’ if appliable. It is also feasible to involve banks in the process, in which Endorser will need to perform ‘Endorse & Escrow’ action instead. The final Endorsee can perform ‘Surrender for Delivery’ action to surrender the eBL to OOCL.

eBL Monitoring

25. How to check if the eBL has been surrendered by the consignee in the eBL IQAX account?

Shippers, and Shipper’s agents if it is the authorized agent for the eBL, can refer to the ‘eBL Status’ column in dashboard. When the ‘eBL Status’ has been changed to ‘Surrendered,’ this means the Consignee has surrendered the eBL back to OOCL. There will also be event history recorded in the ‘Document Events History’ section on the ‘Surrendered’ action taken by Consignee.

26. Is there a reporting function that is generated from IQAX to view all my current and upcoming eBL(s)?

There is no reporting function in IQAX eBL platform. To facilitate monitoring and enhance visibility on eBL, IQAX eBL dashboard has four tabs (‘All,’ ‘Pending for Actions,’ ‘Under Monitoring,’ and ‘Completed’). The ‘All’ tab indicates all eBL associated with the account user. The ‘Pending for Actions’ tab indicates the eBL for which the user is the current custodian and leaving user to manage the eBL. The ‘Under Monitoring’ tab indicates the eBL for which the user is NOT the current custodian, or no action is required. The ‘Completed’ tab indicates the surrendered eBL.

27. How long will the eBL records be kept on the IQAX platform?

All eBL records are kept on the IQAX platform for 10 years from the time the subject eBL was issued.

28. How long does the data/bills of lading stay on the IQAX eBL dashboard? How does the historical data work within eBL IQAX product?

For all surrendered eBL, records are kept and visible for 1 year from the time the subject eBL was surrendered on the IQAX platform. For all eBL records still in circulation, they are kept and visible on the IQAX platform.

Others

29. Can I get the B/L copy if I used eBL service?

Yes, you can download the “COPY” version using the ‘Download Documents’ function/icon that is located next to the eBL# in IQAX eBL platform - eBL details section.

30. Can the eBL information be shared to other parties like booking party and/or cargo control party?

IQAX eBL platform supports BL party role: Shipper, Shipper’s agent, and Consignee. Other shipping party roles are not in the scope of IQAX eBL platform. To facilitate eBL information sharing to other shipping parties, there is a ‘Manage Email’ function next to the eBL# in IQAX eBL dashboard where users can utilize this function to send out eBL information (including BL – COPY version) to recipient(s) of their choice by manually input recipient(s) email addresses to ‘Email Address’ field. The recipient could be the booking party, cargo control party, or other parties involved in the shipment/eBL.

31. How could I know whether my counter party (ex. Shipper, Authorized agent, or Consignee) has registered IQAX eBL or not?

You can ask your counter party directly. Alternatively, if you have the ‘Entity ID’ (Company Identity Number - local business registration, registry, etc.) of your counter party, you can perform a search with their ‘Entity ID’ via ‘Endorsee Management’ or ‘Agent Management’ tool. If their company info is searchable via their ‘Entity ID,’ the company has registered with IQAX eBL; Otherwise, the company has not registered. In addition, OOCL system will verify with IQAX that the Shipper and Consignee IQAX eBL profile existed before we can issue eBL to IQAX eBL platform.

32. Whom can I contact for help in case I make a mistake during eBL operation, especially for non-office hours?

You can contact IQAX customer service team ( customerservices@iqax.com ) for assistance.

33. Is it possible to receive arrival notices within the eBL feature?

No, the arrival notice is not in scope of IQAX eBL platform.