Comprehensive Guide to Types of Ocean Bills of Lading Practical Knowledge Sharing

Types of Ocean Shipping Bills of Lading and Dry Cargo Knowledge Sharing in International Maritime Transport

In international trade, ocean shipping is one of the important ways of goods transportation. As an indispensable legal document in this process, the bill of lading plays a crucial role. It is not only proof of the contract between the carrier and the shipper but also a symbol of ownership of the goods. Understanding the types and functions of the bill of lading is vital for enterprises and individuals engaged in international trade.

Firstly, from the functional perspective, the ocean bill of lading can be divided into shipped bills of lading and received for shipment bills of lading. Among them, the shipped bill of lading refers to the bill of lading that has been actually loaded onto the ship and signed by the captain or his agent. This type of bill of lading has high legal effect and is usually used for bank settlement and cargo handover. For example, in a report earlier this year, it was mentioned that a Chinese exporter sent a batch of electronic products to Europe by sea. After the goods were successfully loaded onto the ship, the carrier issued a shipped bill of lading, which allowed the exporter to smoothly submit the bill of lading to the bank to obtain payment.

In contrast, the received for shipment bill of lading is issued before the goods are actually loaded onto the ship. Due to the fact that the goods have not yet been truly loaded, there is a certain risk involved, especially regarding potential issues during the delivery process. In actual operations, banks generally do not accept received for shipment bills of lading for settlement. However, in some special cases, such as when it is necessary to arrange transport plans in advance, received for shipment bills of lading may be used as temporary certificates.

Secondly, according to the consignee instructions on the bill of lading, ocean bills of lading can be divided into straight bills of lading, order bills of lading, and bearer bills of lading. Among them, the straight bill of lading specifically designates a particular consignee, meaning that only the designated consignee can collect the goods. Although this type of bill of lading has higher security, its flexibility is poor, making it suitable for situations where it is desired to ensure that the goods are only handed over to specific parties.

The order bill of lading refers to the method of delivering goods based on instructions noted on the bill of lading. According to the specifics of the instructions, it can be further subdivided into blank order bills of lading and named order bills of lading. The former requires only simple identity verification to complete delivery; the latter requires more detailed authorization information to collect the goods. In recent years, with the development of cross-border e-commerce, an increasing number of international sellers tend to adopt order bills of lading to enhance transaction security and efficiency.

Finally, the bearer bill of lading is a completely open form, and anyone can collect the goods based on this bill of lading. Despite providing the greatest convenience, due to the lack of necessary control measures, it is prone to disputes and even fraudulent activities. In most countries and regions, this type of bill of lading has been restricted or banned from circulation.

With the progress of modern information technology, electronic bills of lading are gradually becoming a new form. Compared with traditional paper bills of lading, electronic bills of lading not only effectively reduce operating costs but also greatly improve transaction speed and accuracy. According to relevant data, currently more than 50% of shipping companies worldwide have begun to try promoting electronic bill of lading services. It is expected that this proportion will continue to grow in the coming years.

In summary, the ocean bill of lading, as an important logistics tool, has various types and different uses. Whether from a functional or formal perspective, each type of bill of lading has its unique characteristics and applicable scenarios. For those who want to gain a deeper understanding of international maritime business, mastering these basic knowledge is undoubtedly very helpful. At the same time, with the continuous development of technology, perhaps more innovative forms of bills of lading will emerge in the future, further promoting the development of global trade.