A paper bill of lading can take days to move between a shipper, a carrier, a bank, and a buyer — while the cargo it represents is already waiting at port. The Blockchain and Smart Contracts for Maritime Trade Training Course by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy starts from that delay and shows how Blockchain Shipping solutions close it, giving professionals practical knowledge of applying blockchain in modern maritime trade.

Delivered within Shipping, Maritime and Ports Training Courses, the programme focuses on the role of blockchain in enhancing trade efficiency through smart contracts, electronic bills of lading, and digital documentation systems. Participants learn how blockchain improves transparency, reduces operational risk, and enables more reliable collaboration between shipping companies, ports, logistics providers, and international trade stakeholders.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the fundamentals of Blockchain Shipping and its role in maritime trade.
• Understand how blockchain transforms traditional shipping documentation processes.
• Apply smart contracts to automate shipping agreements and trade transactions.
• Digitise bills of lading and verify ownership transfer securely.
• Improve transparency and security across shipping and trade networks.
• Use blockchain to support operational management and trade facilitation.

Target Audience

• Shipping managers and maritime executives.
• Port operation and trade facilitation professionals.
• Logistics and supply chain managers.
• Documentation and compliance officers.
• Maritime technology professionals.
• Professionals involved in digital transformation within shipping and ports.

Module 1: The Documentation Problem Blockchain Solves in Shipping

• Understanding the concept of Blockchain Shipping.
• Traditional versus blockchain-based documentation processes.
• Benefits of decentralised systems in shipping operations.
• Challenges and opportunities of blockchain adoption in the maritime sector.

Module 2: Digitising Bills of Lading and Trade Documents

• Evolution of bills of lading in digital shipping environments.
• Blockchain solutions for electronic documentation.
• Enhancing document verification and reducing fraud.

Module 3: Smart Contracts — Automating Shipping Agreements

• Understanding smart contracts and their applications.
• Automating shipping agreements and trade processes.
• Reducing delays through automated contract execution.

Module 4: Transparency, Trust and Digital Trade Across the Supply Chain

• Applying blockchain technology to digital trade processes.
• Improving supply chain visibility and information sharing.
• Strengthening trust among international shipping stakeholders.

Module 5: What Is Next — Blockchain, Smart Ports and Future Maritime Trade

• Blockchain integration with smart ports and logistics systems.
• Emerging trends in maritime digitalisation.
• Developing strategies for blockchain adoption in maritime organisations.