This paper examines the status and historical development of straight bills of lading. It analyses the position of straight bills of lading under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992 (UK), and the practical function of straight bills of lading as a mechanism for blocking the transfer of goods to a consignee. The paper goes on to explore the possible future of electronic straight bills of lading under the Rotterdam Rules and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records. The paper argues that electronic straight bills of lading can be successfully introduced without the need for registers, blockchain technology, or even revised legislation.