Members utilising ESS electronic transaction / trading system are afforded the same protection under the policy as those using the Bolero system.
All International Group Clubs introduced a Paperless Trading Endorsement in the 1999 policy year.
That endorsement is now incorporated in the Club’s Rules at Rule 5.2.17, Appendix 7-13. The effect of this endorsement is to exclude liabilities which arise under paperless trading systems such as Bolero which would not arise under conventional paper documentation systems. The Association is able to provide cover for those liabilities which would not have arisen if shipments had been made on the basis of conventional documentation.
The International Group has continued to maintain market insurance available for Members participating in Bolero, which provides cover for P&I liabilities excluded from normal Club cover by the Paperless Trading Endorsement.
With effect from 13 April 2007 that cover is also available on the same terms for members who participate in Electronic Shipping Solutions (ESS) paperless system, which functions in a broadly similar way to Bolero.
Members are reminded that this cover is available upon declaration to the Managers. It continues to be important therefore that Members who wish to benefit from the cover advise the Managers before commencing use of Bolero or ESS.
Further details of the Bolero and ESS are available from their websites at www.bolero.net and www.essdocs.com.
Members should be aware that the Paperless Trading Endorsement is widely drafted and will, for instance, apply to liabilities (other than those which would in any event have arisen under a conventional paper system) arising from a document containing or evidencing a contract of carriage (e.g. a bill of lading) which is created or transmitted under a paperless system.
The International Group has examined the practice of a carrier electronically transmitting a bill of lading to a shipper, who is then expected to print the bill of lading, and felt that this practice did not constitute use of a paperless system within the scope of the Paperless Trading Endorsement.
Nonetheless, Members who are involved in the electronic transmission of bills of lading are recommended to advise the Managers so that the Managers can ensure that P&I cover is not prejudiced.