Bills of Lading and LOIs Common Issues and Best Practices

Functions of a Bill of Lading (B/L): Serves as a document of title, a receipt for goods, and evidence of the carriage contract.
Clean B/L Challenges: Masters should sign B/Ls accurately describing the cargo; reliance on Letters of Indemnity (LOIs) carries risks, including P&I cover prejudice.
Quantity Discrepancies: Ship’s figures should be prioritized over shippers’ figures in the B/L to avoid disputes and claims.
Risk of LOIs: LOIs do not eliminate liability and may be unenforceable in some...