A Study on the Utilization of Bolero Bill of Lading(BBL)

Bolero Bill of Lading(BBL) 실용화에 관한 연구

To accomplish international electronic commerce via the Internet, the most serious dilemma is the international payment system. The BBL is a secure and effective electronic commerce framework for the replacement of traditional paper documents by electronic messages via the Internet providing significant benefits in terms of cost savings, improved logistics and reduced errors in documentation. The most important legal obstacles in the BBL are how to secure authenticity, non-repudiation and message integrity as well as the status of negotiability equivalent to paper B/L. These kinds of functions may be carried out through the electronic title registry of the Bolero International Limited. The technical structure is supported contractually by the Bolero Rulebook. And other documents except B/L can be made out without any legal or technical problems. What are the handicaps of the BBL in its practical use at this time? I can summarize the current and expected problems as follows: First, the fee to join Bolero Association Limited is burdensome to sellers, buyers and trade related organizations all over the world. Second, the liability in errors or defaults in operating central data registry of Bolero International Limited is limited to U.S.$100,000. The amount is not sufficient to the many bulk cargo owners to cover the damages. Third, businessmen are used to traditional paper documents; therefore it takes much time for them to change their customs and practices. So the BBL and traditional papers would be used simultaneously for the time being. Finally, it is very important to incorporate the Rulebook, a multilateral contract binding on all users signed, in each domestic law, which will accomplish the uniform law basis.