Bill of Lading (B/L)
A vital legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried. It serves as a receipt of shipment.
Bridge-use context
A Bill of Lading links cargo quantity, condition, shipper, receiver and carriage terms. On board, it should agree with mate's receipts, cargo tallies, draft-survey notes and charter-party instructions before departure, because later claims often depend on the exact wording and dates.
Use this reference together with the linked article and calculator pages. A term page should answer the immediate definition, then point the reader toward the workflow where the value is checked, recorded or challenged during a real watch.
Operational checks
- Compare quantities against cargo documents and draft-survey records.
- Record claused cargo condition before signing clean documents.
- Keep dates aligned with NOR, laytime and cargo operation records.
Related bridge checks
📖 Related Guide: Charter Party Types: Voyage, Time & Bareboat Explained — understand the contract behind the B/L →
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