Law 5110 Quiz: Bills of lading as evidence of the contract of carriage
Document Summary
Bills of lading as evidence of the contract of carriage. Ss ardennes (the ardennes): a delay caused by an intermediate stop caused loss to the cargo owner. In defence against the claim brought by the cargo owner, the carrier endeavoured to rely upon a clause enthrined in the bill of lading, which allowed for an intermediate step in antwerp. In breach of his promise, the shipowner deviated from london and called first at antwerp. It was held that the bill of lading might not even be evidence of the contract of carriage the exhaustive terms of which needed to be found in the charter party. Contracts of carriage may be made orally and the issue of the bill of lading does not necessarily mark any stage in the development of the contract. As a document of title, the bill of lading is unique among transport documents.
