The International Group of P&I Clubs with a circular confirms the approval of an updated version of the ICE Access Agreement (2024.1) to allow for interoperability.
The ICE Access Agreement (2024.1) has been updated to allow for interplatform transfers of electronic bills of lading (interoperability). Interoperability enables electronic bills of lading to be exchanged between ICE’s electronic system and any other platform which has been approved by the International Group for interoperable electronic bills of lading.
The ICE offering includes electronic bills of lading both under the Access Agreement and the multilateral DSUA. Both are available and approved for the purposes of Club cover, and members should liaise with ICE as to the most suitable option for their trade routes. Other exclusions of cover under Group Club Rules relating to the carriage of cargo will continue to apply in respect of all the approved providers in the same way as for paper systems.
These exclusions include discharge at a port or place other than the port or place provided for in the contract of carriage, the issue/creation of an ante or post-dated electronic document/record, and the delivery of cargo without the production of the negotiable electronic document/record, which in the case of an approved electronic trading system will mean delivery of cargo other than in accordance with the rules of that trading system.
