Bill of lading

 Receipt for goods, stating its

quantity, quality
 Negotiable document
 Evidence of contract between
shipper and carrier.
 Think twice before doing anything
about bill of lading
 Bill of lading
 Must have all the details from mates
receipt.
 Mates receipt and B/L must have
remarks of same wording.
 Use unambiguous remarks, consult
P&I if in doubt.
 Never accept letter of indemnity.
What is in a bill of lading
 Shippers name and address.
 Consignee’s name and address or to order,
notify party: address
 Loading port, date, vessel name, discharge port.
 Cargo details: weight volume
 Cargo condition
 Number of original bill of ladings issued
 Signature of carrier/master/agent.
 Sea Waybill
 Same function as bill of lading, but it
is non-negotiable.
 Cannot be to order.
 Cannot be used where letter of credit
is involved.
 Used in short trades where, vessel
arrives before B/L has arrived.
 Used where there is trust between
buyer and seller.
 Deck cargo
 On shippers entire risk. ( but you must take
all precautions)
 Make statement on face of B/L: for
knowledge of third party (risk) when buying
goods.
 Never put under deck cargo on deck. (P&I
will not cover)
 Containers on dedicated ships as under deck
cargo, but on non dedicated ships as on
deck cargo.
 Bills of lading Q & A
 Damaged cargo presented for loading
 If ship and shore loading figures differ
 If a charterer’s bill of lading has to be used
 If the number of original bills shown on bill is not the same
as number of negotiable bills
 If bill written in foreign language
 If asked to sign blank or incomplete b/l other than in ( early
departure procedure)
 Bills of lading Q&A
 If asked to re-issue bills of lading
 If asked to sign pre-date or post-date
 If delivery of cargo is requested without
presentation of relevant bill of lading
 If two parties present original bills of
lading
 If goods are unclaimed at the discharge
port.