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I ND U ST RY N E WS DCSAs members commit to digital bill of lading by 2030 to improve sustainability The nine ocean carrier members of the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) have announced they will convert 100 per cent of their original bills of lading to digital (eBL) documents based on the organisations standards by 2030. The commitment includes a target of converting 50 per cent of the documents within five years. Ocean carriers issue approximately 45 million bills each year, with just 1.2 per cent of these electronic in 2021. According to DCSA, the switch away from physical paper documents could save US$6.5bn in direct costs for stakeholders and enable annual trade growth of US$30-40bn. It will transform the customer experience and improve sustainability, it said. Manual, paper-based processes are timeconsuming, expensive and environmentally unsustainable for stakeholders along complex supply chains, said the firm. Paper-based processes break down when cargo in ports cannot be gated out because original bills of lading, or title documents, fail to arrive or cannot be manually processed in time. In contrast, digital processes enable data to flow instantly and securely, reducing delays and waste. It added that the move would benefit all maritime supply chain stakeholders. Bliss reports hiring increase Italian mover Bliss Corporation says recruitment to the business increased by 31 per cent during 2021 and a further 300 per cent during 2022, with a recent Milan expansion. According to a company release, the growth is part of its future and revitalisation strategies, through which the company aims to pursue ambitious plans to establish and grow in global mobility markets. The company said it increased revenue and market share during 2022, by prioritising aspects including stability and growth of personnel and investing in technological innovation, and strengthening the brand nationally and internationally. At the end of the year, the company maintained its FAIMPLUS and FAIM DSP certifications. AGM Relocation purchases Senior Move Partnership AGM Relocation Ltd (AGM Group) has acquired The Senior Move Partnership, a UK-based business specialising in relocation services for later life moves. The acquisition of the company which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year is part of AGM Groups strategy to expand service provision in the country and to meet the diverse needs of its customers. According to a statement, The Senior Move Partnerships services will continue, with the company operating throughout its existing network of partners in the UK. Russell Start, AGM Group CEO, said: We are excited about the prospect of The Senior Move Partnership brand integrating into the AGM Group of companies. This will allow us to expand our relocation services into an exciting new market and extend our service offerings across the brands. Insurance at a time to suit you www.reason-global.com 14 Thomas Bagge, CEO of DCSA, said: The digitalisation of international trade holds vast potential for the world economy by reducing friction and as trade brings prosperity and the eBL will further enable trade helping bring millions out of poverty. This heralds the start of a new era in container shipping as the industry transitions to scaled automation and fully paperless trade. Document digitalisation has the power to transform international trade and requires collaboration from all stakeholders. I applaud the leadership of our members in coming together to achieve this important milestone. Solutions outside the box