If blockchain is the answer, what is the question? The legal and economic implications of using blockchain technology in container shipping

该项目将研究在集装箱运输中用区块链记录取代纸质运输文件对全球供应链的法律影响。区块链的使用可以带来许多优势：作为一种安全技术，它有可能减少欺诈；作为一个电子平台，它可以同时访问供应链中的多个参与者的实时数据；它有可能减少延迟；因为它不需要手动处理记录在纸上的信息，它将不可避免地减少管理成本和错误。然而，启用和监管潜在的纸币替代品的法律框架还很不发达，而且它们的使用和相关风险可能会出现正式的法律空白。因此，这项博士研究将寻求关注以下关键问题：1。在全球贸易平台上，区块链如何能用“提货单”取代纸质提单？这些替代方案如何与保险和国际支付系统相互作用？它们能否催生新的、创新的贸易融资解决方案？在全球贸易平台上发展和使用提单会引发哪些关键的法律问题？为了适应新兴的全球贸易区块链平台，立法环境需要如何改变？在particulara。法律的作用是授权还是监管，还是两者兼而有之？为什么？在没有既定和统一的立法框架的情况下，如何解决争端？第一原则是什么？是否有可能在商业实践/使用的基础上出现一个规范的框架？如果是，在没有正式法律框架的情况下，法院如何以及在多大程度上利用它来裁决纠纷？该方法将涉及对业务流程的实证观察（包括对供应链中相关参与者的访谈），对可用法律和合同框架的理论分析以及对这些新兴系统的法律(i)角色和（ii）内容的理论评估。

The project will examine the legal implications across theglobal supply chain of replacing paper transport documentswith blockchain records in container transportation. The useof blockchain can result in many advantages: as a securetechnology, it has the potential to reduce fraud, as anelectronic platform granting simultaneous access to realtime data to multiple participants in the supply chain, it hasthe potential to reduce delays and because it does away withthe need for manual processing of information recorded onpaper, it would inevitably reduce administrative costs anderrors. However, the legal framework to enable and regulatepotential blockchain alternatives to paper is as yet veryundeveloped and there is a risk that there will be a formallegal void surrounding their use and the associated risks.This PhD research would therefore seek to focus on thefollowing key questions:1. How may blockchain be used to replace paper bills oflading with "blocks of lading" operating on global tradeplatforms? How might these alternatives interact withinsurance and international payment systems? Could theygive rise to new and innovative trade finance solutions?2. What are the key legal issues raised by the developmentand use of Blocks of Lading operating on global tradeplatforms?3. How would the legislative environment need to change inorder to accommodate the emerging global trade blockchainplatforms? In particulara. Should the law's role be enabling or regulatory, or both?Why?b. How would disputes be resolved in the absence of anestablished and uniform legislative framework? What firstprinciples would need to apply?c. Is it likely that a normative framework would emerge onthe basis of business practice/usage? If yes, how and to whatextent would the courts be able to make use of it in decidingdisputes in the absence of a formal legal framework?The methodology will involve empirical observation ofbusiness processes (including interviews with relevant actorswithin the supply chain), doctrinal analysis of the availablelegal and contractual frameworks and theoreticalassessment of what should be (i) the role and (ii) the contentof the law with respect to these emerging systems.