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A Bill of Lading is three things at the same time. Most people treat it as one. It is a receipt confirming cargo has been loaded. A contract of carriage between shipper and carrier. And a document of title. Whoever holds the original controls the cargo at destination. Three originals are issued. Increasingly, an express release or electronic Bill of Lading is used instead, removing the need for physical originals entirely. Both approaches are valid. The choice has to be agreed before the cargo is loaded, not debated at the discharge port. Where original Bills of Lading are still required, if the full set does not arrive before the vessel, the consignee cannot take delivery without a guarantee or letter of indemnity. Both take time a tight programme cannot afford. We treat documentation as a planning discipline. The format, the parties and the release method are confirmed before loading. Not resolved after the vessel sails.
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Originally shared by Transcar Projects on Facebook.