ENG

1. DEFINITIONS

 “Carrier” Means the Company stated on the front of the Bill of Lading as being the Carrier on whose behalf this Bill of Lading has been signed.

 

“Merchant” Includes: The Shipper, The Consignee, The receiver of the Goods, The Holder of the Bill of Lading, any Person owning or entitle to the possession of the Goods or this Bill of Lading, any Person having a present or future interest in the Goods or any Person acting on behalf of any of the above mention Persons.

 

“Goods” Includes the cargo supply by the Merchant and includes any Container not supply or on behalf of the Carrier.

“Container” Includes any Container, Trailer, Transportable Tank, Lift Van, Flat, Mafi, Pallet or any similar article of transport used to consolidate Goods.

 

“Carriage” Means the whole of the operations and services undertaken or performed by or on behalf of the Carrier in respect of the Goods.

 

“Combine Transport” Arises where the Carriage called for by this Bill of Lading is not a Port to Port Shipment.

“Port to Port Shipment” Arises when the Place of Receipt or the Place of Delivery are not indicated on the front of this Bill of Lading, or if both the Place of Receipt or the Pace of Delivery indicated are Ports, and the Bill of Lading does not, in the nomination of the Place of Receipt or Place of Delivery on the front hereof, specify any place or spot within the area of the Port so nominated.

 

“Hague Rules” Means the provisions of the international Convention for the Unification of certain Rules relating to Bills of Lading signed at Brussels on August 25th 1994.

“Hague-Visby Rules” Stands for the Hague Rules as amended by the Protocol signed at Brussels on February 23rd 1968

“COGSA” Means the Carriage of Goods by the Sea Act of the United States of America approved on April 16th 1936.

“COGWA” Means the Carriage of Goods by the Water Act of 1936.

“Charges” Includes freight and all expenses and money obligations incurred and payable by the Merchant.

“Shipping Unit” Includes freight units and the term “Unit” as used in The Hague Rules and the Hague-Visby Rules.

“Person” Includes an individual, a partnership, a body corporate or other entity.

“Stuffed” Includes filled, consolidated, packed, loaded or secure.

 

2. CARRIER’S TARIFF

 

The provisions of the Carrier’s applicable Tariff, if any, are incorporated herein. Copies of such provisions are obtainable from the Carrier or his Agents upon requestor where applicable, from a government body with whom the Tariff has been filed in the case of inconsistency between this Bill of Lading and the applicable Tariff, this Bill of Lading shall prevail.

 

3. WARRANTY

 

The Merchant warrants that in agreeing to the terms hereof, he is, or the agent of, and has the authority of the Person owning or entitle to the possession of the Goods, or any person who has present or future interests on the Goods.

 

4. NEGOTIABILITY AND TITLE TO THE GOODS

 

1. This Bill of Lading shall be non-negotiable, unless made out “to the order”, in which event, it shall be negotiable and shall constitute title to the Goods, and the holder shall be entitle to receive or to transfer the Goods herein describe.
2. The Bill of Lading shall be PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE of the taking in charge by the Carrier of the Goods herein described. However proof to the contrary shall not be admissible when this Bill of Lading has been negotiated or transferred for valuable consideration to a third party acting in good faith.

 

5. CERTAIN RIGHT AND IMMUTITIES FOR THE CARRIER AND OTHER PERSONS.

 

1. The Carrier shall be entitled to sub-contract on any terms the whole, or any part of the Carriage.
2. The Merchant undertakes that no claim or allegation shall be made against any Person or vessel whatsoever, other than the Carrier, including, but not limited to, the Carrier’s servants or agents, any independent contractor and his servants or agents, and all others by whom the whole or any part of the Carriage, whether directly or indirectly, is procure, preformed or undertaken, which imposes or attempts to impose upon any such Person or vessel any liability whatsoever in connections with the Goods or the Carriage, and if any claim or allegation should nevertheless be made to defend indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against all consequences thereof. Without prejudice to the forgoing every such Person and vessel shall have the benefit all provisions herein benefiting the Carriers as if such provisions where expressly for his benefit and in entering this contract the Carrier, to the extent of these provisions does not only on his own behalf but also as agents or trustee for such Persons and vessel, and such Persons and vessels shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties of this contract.
3. The Merchant shall defend indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against any claim or liability (and any expense arising therefrom) arising from the Carriage of the Goods insofar as such claim or liability exceeds the Carrier’s liability under this Bill of Lading.
4. The defenses and limits of liability provided for in this Bill of Lading shall apply in any action against the Carrier whether the action to be found in contract in Tort.

 

6. CARRIER’S RESPONSIBILITY.

 

1) CLAUSE PARAMOUNT.

 

1. Subject to the clause 13 below, this Bill of Lading insofar as it relates to sea or air Carriage by any vessel whether named herein or not shall have effect subject to the Hague Rules or any legislation making such Rules or the Hague-Visby Rules compulsorily applicable (such a s COGSA and COGWA) to this Bill of Lading and the provisions of the Hague Rules or applicable legislation shall be deemed incorporated herein. The Hague Rules (or COGSA or COGWA if this Bill of Lading is subject to U.S.A. or Canada law respectively) shall apply to the Carriage of Goods by inland, airways, or waterways and reference to carriage by sea in such Rules or legislation shall be deemed to include reference to inland waterways if and to the extent that the provisions of the Water Act of the United States of America 1893 would otherwise be compulsorily applicable to regulate the Carrier’s responsibility for the Goods during any period prior to loading or after discharge from the vessel the Carrier’s responsibility shall instead be determined by the provisions 6(3) bellow, but if such provisions are found to be invalid such responsibilities shall be subject to COGSA.
2. The Carrier shall be entitle to (and nothing in this Bill of Lading shall operate to deprive or limit such entitlement) the full benefit, and rights to, all limitations of and exclusions from liability and all rights conferred or authorized by any applicable law statute or  regulation of any country (including but not limited to where applicable any provisions of sections 4281 or 4287, inclusive of the Revised Statutes of the United States of America and amendments thereto and where applicable any provisions of the laws of the United States of America) and without prejudice to the generality of the forgoing also any law, statute or regulation available to the Owner of the Vessel(s) on which the Goods are carried.

 

2) PORT TO PORT SHIPMENT.

 

The responsibility of the Carrier is limited to that part of the Carriage from and during loading onto the Vessel up to and during discharge from the Vessel and the Carrier shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever in respect of the Goods or any other matter arising during any other part of the Carriage even though Charges for the whole the Carriage have been charge by Carrier. The Merchant constitutes the Carrier as agent to enter into contracts on behalf of the Merchant with others to transport, storage , handling or any other services in respect of the Goods  prior to loading and subsequent to discharge of the Goods from the Vessel  without responsibility for any act or omission whatsoever on the part of the Carrier or others and the Carrier may as such agent enter into contracts with others on any terms whatsoever including terms less favorable than the terms in this Bill of Lading.

 

3) COMBINED TRANSPORT.

 

Save as is otherwise provided in this Bill of Lading, the Carrier shall be liable for loss or damage to the Goods occurring from the time that the Goods are taken into his charge until the time of delivery to the extent set out below.

 

(A) Where the stage of the Carriage, where the loss or damage occurred cannot be proved:

1. The Carrier shall be entitle to relay upon all exclusions from liability under the rules or legislation that would been apply under 6(1)(A) above had the loss or damage occurred at sea or if there was no Carriage by sea, under the Hague-Visby Rules (such as COGSA or COGWA if this Bill of Lading is subject to U.S.A. or Canadian laws respectively).
2. Where under (i) above the Carrier is not liable in respect of some factor  causing the loss or damage, he shall only be liable to the extent that those factors for which he is liable have contributed to the loss or damage.
3. Subject to 6(4)(C) below, the Carrier’s liability should not exceed $50.00USD per Metric Ton of the gross weight of the Goods lost, damaged or in respect of which the claim arises or the value of the Goods, whichever is lesser.
4. The value of the Goods shall be determined according to the commodity exchange price at the place and time of delivery to the Merchant or at the place and time when they should have been so delivered or if there is no such a price according to the current market price by reference to the normal value of Goods of the same kind and quality, at such place and time.

(B) Where the stage of the Carriage where the loss or damage occurred can be proved

i) The liability of the Carrier shall be determined by the provisions contained in any international convention or national law of the country which  provisions:

1. Cannot be departed from by private contract to the detriment of the Merchant and the Carrier.
2. Would have applied if the Merchant had had made a separate and direct contract with the Carrier in respect of the particular stage of Carriage where the loss or damage occurred and had received as evidence thereof any particular document which must be issued in order to make such international conventions or national law applicable.

(ii) With respect to the transportation to the United States of America or in Canada to the Port of Loading or from the Port of Discharge, the responsibility of the Carrier shall be to procure transportation by carriers (one or more) and such transportation shall be subject to the inland carrier’s contract of carriage and tariff and any law compulsorily applicable. The Carrier guarantees the fulfillment of such inland carrier’s obligations under their contracts and tariff.

(iii) Where neither (i) nor (ii) above apply, any liability of the Carrier shall be determine by 6(3)(A).

 

(4) GENERAL PROVITIONS.

 

A) Delay, Consequential Loss.

Save as otherwise provided herein, the Carrier shall in no circumstances be liable for direct, indirect or consequential damage caused by delay or any other cause whatsoever and howsoever caused without prejudice to the forgoing, if the Carrier is found liable for delay, liability shall be limited to a third of the freight applicable to the relevant stage of the transport.

B) Packager or Shipping Unit Limitations.

Where the Hague Rules or any legislation making such Rules compulsorily applicable (such COGSA or COGWA) to this Bill of Lading apply, the Carrier shall not, unless a declared value has been noted in accordance with (C) bellow, be or become liable for any loss or damage to or in connection with the Goods in an amount per package or Shipping Unit in excess of the package or Shipping limitation as laid down by such rules or legislation. Such limitation amount according to COGSA is $500.00USD and according to COGWA is $500.00CAND. If no limitation amount is applicable under such rules or legislation, the limit shall be $500.00USD.

C) Ad Valorem: Declared Value of Package or Shipping Unit.

The Carrier’s liability may be increased to a higher value by a declaration in writing (Ad Valorem notification form) of the value of the Goods by the Shipper upon delivery to the Carrier of the Goods for shipment, such higher value being inserted on the front of this Bill of Lading in the space provided and if required by Carrier, extra freight paid. In such case, if the actual value of the Goods shall exceed such declared value, the value shall nevertheless be deemed to the declared value and the Carrier’s liability, if any, shall not exceed the declared value and pay partial loss or damage shall be adjusted pro rata on the basis of such declared value.

D) Definition of Package or Shipping Unit.

Where a Container is used to consolidate Goods and such Container is Stuffed by the Carrier, the number of packages or Shipping Units stated on the face of this Bill of Lading in the box provided shall be deemed the number of packages or Shipping Units for the purpose of any limit of liability per package or Shipping Unit provided in any international convention or national law relating to the carriage of Goods by sea, air or land. Except as aforesaid the Container shall be considered the package or Shipping Units.

The words “Shipping Unit” shall mean each physical unit or piece of cargo not shipped in a package, including articles or things of any description whatsoever, except Goods shipped in bulk, and irrespective of the weight or measure unit employed in calculating freight Charges. As Goods shipped in Bulk, the limitation applicable thereto shall be the limitation provided in such convention or law which may be applicable, and in no event shall anything be constructed to be a waiver of limitation as to the Goods shipped in bulk.

(E) Rust, etc.

It is agreed that superficial rust, oxidation or any alike due to moisture, is not a condition of damage but it is inherent to the nature of the Goods and acknowledgment of receipt of Goods in apparent good order and condition is not a representation of that such conditions of rust, oxidation or the alike did not exist on the receipt.

(F) Notice of Loss and Damage.

The Carrier shall be deemed prima facie to have delivered the Goods as described in this Bill of Lading unless notice of loss or damage to the Goods, indicating the general nature of such loss or damage, shall have been given in writing to the Carrier or his representative at the place of delivery before or at the time of removal of the Goods into the custody of the Person entitle to delivery thereof this Bill of Lading or , if the loss or damage is not apparent, within three consecutive days thereafter.

(G) Time-bar

The Carrier shall be discharge of al liability unless suit is brought in the proper forum and written notice thereof received by the Carrier within six months after delivery of the Goods or the date when the Goods should have been delivered. In the event that such time period shall be found contrary to any convention or law compulsorily applicable, the period prescribed by such convention or law shall then apply but in that circumstance only.

 

7. MERCHANT’S RESPONSIBILITY.

 

1. The description and particulars of the Goods set out on the face hereof are furnished by the Merchant and the Merchant warrants to the Carrier that the description and the particulars including, but not limited to the weight, content, measure, quantity, quality, condition , marks, numbers and value are correct.
2. The Merchant shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements of customs port and other authorities and shall bear and pay all duties, taxes, fines, imposts, expenses and losses incurred or suffered by reason there of by reason of any illegal, incorrect or insufficient marking, lack or incorrect certificates, numbering or addressing of the Goods.
3. The Merchant undertakes that the Goods are packed in a manner adequate to withstand the ordinary risks of Carriage having regard to their nature and in compliance with all laws, regulations and requirements which may be applicable.
4. No Goods which are or may become dangerous, inflammable or damaging or which are or may become liable to damage any property or Person whatsoever shall be tender to the Carrier for Carriage without the Carrier’s expressed consent in writing and without the Container or other covering in which the Goods are to be transported and the Goods being distinctly marked on the outside so as to indicate the nature and character of any such articles and so to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and requirements. If any such articles are delivered to the Carrier without such written consent and marking or if in the opinion of the Carrier are or are liable to become dangerous, inflammable, or damaging nature the same may at any time be destroyed, disposed of, abandoned, or rendered harmless without compensation to the Merchant and without prejudice to the Carrier’s right to Charges.
5. The Merchant shall be liable for the loss, damage, contamination, soiling, detention or demurrage before, during and after the Carriage of property (including, but not limited to Containers) of the Carrier or any Person or vessel (other than the Merchant) referred to in 5(2) above caused by the Merchant or any other Person acting on his behalf or of which the Merchant is otherwise responsible.
6. The Merchant shall defend indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against any loss, damage, claim liability, or expenses whatsoever arising for any breach of the provisions of this clause 7 or from any case in connection with the Goods for which the Carrier is not responsible.

 

8. CONTAINERS.

 

1. Goods may be Stuffed by the Carrier in or on the Containers and Goods may be Stuffed with other Goods.
2. The terms of this Bill of Lading shall govern the responsibility of the Carrier in connection with or arising out of the supply of a Container to the Merchant, whether supply before or after the Goods are received by the Carrier or delivered to the Merchant.
3. If a Container has been Stuffed by or on behalf of the Merchant

(A) The Carrier shall not be liable for loss or damage to the Goods

1. Caused by the manner in which the Container has been Stuffed.
2. Caused by the unsuitability of the Goods for Carriage in Containers.
3. Caused by the unsuitability or defective condition of the Container provided that where the Container has been supply by or on behalf of the Carrier this paragraph (iii) shall only apply if the unsuitability or defective condition arose (a) without any want of due diligence on the part of the Carrier or (b) would have been apparent upon reasonable inspection by the Merchant at or prior to the time when the Container was Stuffed.
4. If the Container is not sealed at the commencement of the Carriage except where the Carrier has agreed to seal the Container.
5. Caused by the lack of certificates or fumigation certificates.

(B) The Merchant shall defend, indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against any loss, damage, claim, liability or expense

whatsoever arising from one or more of the matter covered by (A) above except (A)(iii)(a) above.

4) Where the Carrier is instructed to provide a Container, in the absence of a written request to the contrary, the Carrier is not under an

obligation to provide a Container to any particular type or quality.

 

9. TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED CARGO.

 

1. The Merchant undertakes not to tender for transportation any Goods which required temperature control without previously giving written notice (and filling in the box on the front of this Bill of Lading if this Bill of Lading has been prepared by the Merchant or a Person acting on behalf) of their nature and particular temperature range to be maintain and in the case of a temperature control Container Stuffed by or on behalf of the Merchant further undertakes that the Container has been properly pre cooled, that the Goods have been properly Stuffed in the Container and that its thermostatic controls have been properly set  by the Merchant before receipt of the Goods by the Carrier.

 

If the above requirements are not complied with, the Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to the Goods caused by such noncompliance.

2) The Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to the Goods arising from defects, derangement, breakdown, stoppage of the

temperature controlling machinery plant, insulation or any apparatus of the Container provided that the Carrier shall before or at the beginning of the Carriage exercise due diligence to maintain the refrigerated Container in an efficient state.

 

10. INSPECTION OF THE GOODS.

 

The Carrier or any Person authorized by the Carrier shall be entitle, but under no obligation, to open any Container or package at any time and to inspect the Goods.

 

11. MATTERS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE.

 

1. If at any time the Carriage is or is likely to be affected by any hindrance, risk, delay, difficulty or disadvantage of any king (including the condition of the Goods and lack of or miss production of certificates), whenever and howsoever arising (whether or not the Carriage has commenced) the Carrier may:

1. Without notice to the Merchant abandon the Carriage of the Goods and where reasonably possible place the Goods or any part of them at the Merchant disposal at any place which the Carrier may deem safe and convenient whereupon the responsibility of the Carrier in respect of such Goods shall cease.
2. Without prejudice to the Carrier right subsequently to abandon the Carriage under (A) above continue the Carriage.
3. In any event the Carrier shall be entitle to full Charges on Goods received for Carriage and the Merchant shall pay any additional cost from the above mentioned circumstances.

2) The liability of the Carrier in respect of the Goods shall cease on the delivery or other disposition of the Goods in accordance in accordance with the orders or recommendations given by any government authority or any Person acting or purporting  to act as or on behalf of such government or authority.

 

12. METHODS AND ROUTES OF TRANSPORTATION.

 

1. The Carrier May at any time and without notice to the Merchant use any means of transport or storage whatsoever, load or carry the Goods on any vessel whether named on the front hereof or not, transfer the Goods from one conveyance to another including transshipment or carrying the same on another vessel than that mentioned on the front hereof  or by any other means of transport whatsoever at any place; unpack and remove Goods which have been Stuffed in or on Container and forward  the same in any manner whatsoever; proceed at any speed and by any route in his discretion (whether or not the nearest or most direct or customary or advertised route) and proceed to or stay at any place whatsoever once or more often and in any order; load or unload the Goods from any conveyance at any place (whether or not the place is a port named on the front hereof as the intended Port of Loading or Intended Port of Discharge); comply with any orders or recommendations given by any government or authority or any Person or body acting or purporting to act as or on behalf of such government or authority, or having under the terms of the insurance on the conveyance employed by the Carrier the right to give orders or directions, permits the vessel to proceed with or without pilots to tow or be towed or to be dry docked permit the vessel to carry livestock Goods or all kinds dangerous or otherwise, contraband, explosives, munitions or warlike stores and sail armed or unarmed.
2. The liberties set out on (1) may be invoked by the Carrier for any purposes whatsoever whether or not connected with the Carriage of the Goods. Anything done in accordance with (1) above or any delay arising therefrom shall be deemed to be within the contractual Carriage and shall not be a deviation of whatsoever nature or degree.

 

13. DECK CARGO (AND LIVESTOCK).

1. Goods of any description whether containerized or not be stowed on or under deck without notice to the Merchant and such stowage shall not be a deviation of whatsoever nature or degree Subject to (2) below, such Goods whether carried on deck or under deck, shall participate in General Average and such Goods (other than livestock) shall be deemed to be within definition of Goods for purposes of the Hague Rules or any legislation making such rules or the Hague Visby Rules compulsorily applicable (such as COGSA and COGWA) to this Bill of Lading.
2. Goods (not being Goods Stuffed in or on Containers other than open, flats or pallets) which are stated on the front of this Bill of Lading to be carried on deck and which are so carried (and livestock, whether or not carried on deck) are carried without responsibility on the part of the Carrier for loss or damage of whatsoever nature arising during Carriage under by sea, air or inland waterway whether cause by unseaworthiness or negligence or any other cause whatsoever. The Merchant shall defend indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against all and any extra cost incurred for any reason whatsoever in connection with Carrier or livestock.

 

14. DELIVERY OF GOODS.

If delivery of the Goods or any part thereof is not taken by the Merchant at the time and the place when and where the Carrier is entitled to call upon the Merchant to take delivery thereof, the Carrier shall be entitle without notice to remove from a Container the Goods or that part thereof if stuffed in or on a Container and to store the Goods or that part thereof ashore, afloat, in the open or undercover at the sole risk and expense of the Merchant. Such storage shall constitute due delivery hereunder and thereupon the liability of the Carrier in respect of the Goods or that part thereof shall cease.

 

15. BOTH-TO-BLAME COLLISION.

If the vessel on which the Goods are carried (the carrying vessel) come in collision with any other vessel or object (the non-carrying vessel or object) as the result of the negligence of the non-carrying vessel or object or the owner of the charter of or Person responsible for the non-carrying vessel or object. The Merchant undertakes to defend indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against all claims by or liability to (and any expense arising thereof from) any vessel or Person in respect of any loss of or damage to or any claim whatsoever of the Merchant paid or payable to the Merchant by the non-carrying vessel or object or the owner of the charter or of Person responsible for the no-carrying vessel or object and set-of recouped or recovered by such vessel, object or Person(s) against the Carrier, the carrying vessel or here owners or charterers.

 

16. GENERA AVERAGE.

1. The Carrier may declared General Average, which all be adjustable according to the York/Antwerp Rules of 1974 at any place at the option of the Carrier and the Amended Jason Clause as approved by BIMCO is to be considered  as incorporated herein and the Merchant shall provide such security as may be required by the Carrier in this connection.
2. Notwithstanding (1) above, the Merchant shall defend indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier in respect of any claim (and any expense arising thereof) of a General Average nature which may be made on the Carrier and shall provide such security as may be required by the Carrier in this connection.
3. The Carrier shall be under no obligation to take any steps whatsoever to collect security for General Average contribution due to the Merchant.

 

17. CHARGES.

1. Charge shall be deemed fully earned on receipt of the Goods by the Carrier and shall be paid and non-returnable on any event.
2. The Charges have been calculated on the basis of particulars furnished by or on behalf of the Merchant. The Carrier shall be entitle to production of the commercial invoiced for the Goods or true copy thereof and to inspect, reweight, remeasure, and revalue the Goods and if the particulars are to be found by the Carrier to be incorrect the Merchant shall pay the Carrier the correct Charges (credit being given for the Charges Charged) and the cost incurred by the Carrier in establishing the correct particulars.
3. All Charges shall be paid without any set off, counter-claim, deduction, or stay of execution.

 

18. LIEN.

The Carrier shall have a Lien on Goods and any documents relating thereto for all sums whatsoever due at any time to the Carrier for the Merchant and for General Average contributions to whomsoever due and for the costs of recovering the same and the Carrier have the right to sell the Goods and documents by public auctioning or private treaty, without notice to the Merchant and at the Merchant’s expenses and without any liability towards the Merchant.

 

19. VARIATION OF THE CONTRACT.

No servant or agent of the Carrier shall have powers to wave or vary any of the terms hereof unless such o waiver or variation is in writing and is specifically authorized or ratified in writing by a director or officer of the Carrier who has the actual authority of the Carrier so that wave or vary.

 

20. PARTIAL INVALIDITY.

If any provision in this Bill of Lading is held to be invalid or unenforceable by any court or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or body. Such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision. The invalidity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby and this Bill of Lading contract shall be carried out if such invalid or unenforceable provision where not contained herein.

 

 

Last review on September 13th 2016