Bills of lading

Bills of lading are one of three important documents used in international trade to help guarantee that exporters receive payment and importers receive merchandise.

A bill of lading (sometimes abbreviated as B/L or BoL) is a document issued by a carrier, which details a shipment of merchandise and gives title of that shipment to a specified party.

Bills of lading often look like simple documents detailing the loading and unloading of cargo. But a whole web of issues arise from them. When did ownership of the cargo pass to the intended receivers? Have you been asked to switch or split bills? Or change the date? Or say nothing about the condition of the cargo? Has the vessel carrying cargo changed course and gone to a different discharge port? Is the vessel ready to discharge but the bills are unavailable?

Whether you are a ship owner, charterer, container liner or operator, we will provide you with the right advice in relation to Bills of lading. We understand the issues which arise in International trade and movement of goods. Our advice is fast, clear and commercial.

We can advise you on issuing clean or marked bills, endorsing them to third parties, delivering cargo without bills or to different ports and deviation and delays on the voyage.

And we can help you with the drafting and negotiation of bills of lading, way bills, consignment and booking notes and electronic bills of lading – all the documents which you need for carrying goods on an ocean voyage.

We advise on the full range of shipping contracts including bareboat, time and voyage charter parties, contracts of affreightment, bills of lading, slot charters, new-building contracts, port and terminal contracts and sale and purchase.

We can also help you with:

• Commercial Shipping
• Shipping Contracts
• Cargo claims
• Marine debt collection
• Vessel arrest
• Marine disputes
• Marine insurance litigation
• Ship sale and purchase disputes