We will continue our small talk on how to arrange bills of lading properly. Accurate date of the bills of lading is very important, since the date inserted in the bill of lading evidences the date of shipment. Surprisingly, the market value of the cargo in the sales contract may be based on the date of shipment stated in the bill of lading!
Practically the Master and his agent at the port of loading ensure that the date is correct. There may be serious consequences for ante/post -dated bills of lading! The carrier may be exposed to claims from the receivers, and the P&I club will, most likely, withhold from covering such claims.
A good Captain should strongly resist offers from the charterers and/or receivers or whomever to issue ante- dated bills of lading, even against presentation of a "letter of indemnity"!
If a cargo is shipped on 31st and vessel completes and sails but the agents do not issue the b/ls until say 3rd of the next month is this a problem if the issue date is post the shipment date?
ReplyDeleteThe Bills of Lading can not be ante- or post -dated. For example, if the vessel completes loading at 2300 hr on the 31st and sails at 0100 on the 1st then Bs/l are dated the 31st - the date of completion of loading. The agent can, of course, issue or reissue Bs/l (e.g. with a different cargo split) with a delay on the 3rd, but Bs/L are dated the 31st. It is the Master's (or shipoperators) responsibility to check the correctness for the reason discussed. ( Otherwise, is there any special case the date may be different? )
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