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单据对全球供应链的法律影响。区块链的使用可以产生许多优势：作为一种安全技术，它具有减少欺诈的潜力；作为允许供应链中多个参与者同时访问实时数据的电子平台，它具有减少延迟的潜力；由于它消除了对纸上记录的信息进行人工处理的需要，它将不可避免地降低行政成本和错误。然而，启用和监管潜在的区块链纸质替代品的法律框架还很不发达，存在围绕它们的使用及其相关风险的正式法律无效的风险。因此，这项博士研究将寻求专注于以下关键问题：1.如何利用区块链来取代在全球贸易平台上运营的“区块提货”的纸质票据？这些替代方案可能会如何与保险和国际支付系统互动？它们能否产生新的和创新的贸易融资解决方案？2.开发和使用在全球贸易平台上运营的区块所引起的关键法律问题是什么？3.需要如何改变立法环境，以适应新兴的全球贸易区块链平台？具体地说。法律的作用应该是授权还是监管，还是两者兼而有之？为什么？b.在没有既定和统一的立法框架的情况下，如何解决争端？需要应用哪些首要原则？c.是否有可能在商业实践/惯例的基础上形成一个规范性框架？如果有，在没有正式法律框架的情况下，法院将如何以及在多大程度上能够利用它来裁决纠纷？方法将涉及对业务流程的实证观察(包括与供应链内相关行为者的约谈)，对现有法律和合同框架的理论分析，以及对以下方面的理论评估：(1)作用和(2)关于这些新兴制度的法律内容。

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.