The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has unveiled the TradeTrust Readiness Programme to accelerate the adoption of digital trade solutions within the maritime sector. Announced on 4 February 2026 during TradeTrust Appreciation Day, the programme seeks to foster partnerships between Digital Trade Platforms (DTPs) and shipping carriers to facilitate the seamless use of electronic Bills of Lading (eBLs) across various digital platforms.
The programme addresses a significant barrier to eBL adoption: the lack of coordination between carriers and digital trade platforms. By supporting paired DTP-carrier implementations, the initiative aims to align incentives across the supply chain, reducing risks and encouraging broader industry participation. Participating pairs will receive funding support upon achieving milestones such as successful TradeTrust integration and interoperability with other platforms.
In a significant industry milestone, four TradeTrust-enabled platforms—AEOTrade, BlockPeer, Credore, and SGTraDex—have received approval from the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (IG P&I) Clubs. This approval grants electronic trade documents the same legal status as paper documents, enhancing their commercial viability and boosting confidence in digital trade.
IMDA also recognised over 50 ecosystem partners at the inaugural TradeTrust Partner Awards for their contributions to advancing interoperable digital trade. The awards highlighted the progress from pilot projects to tangible commercial value, with nine partners receiving the highest honour of TradeTrust Champions.
The TradeTrust Readiness Programme, open to Singapore-registered enterprises and their international partners, will run until March 2027. This initiative, alongside global maritime insurance approvals, marks a pivotal step in transforming digital trade from concept to reality, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a leader in digital trade solutions.
