7.3　Multi-Modal Bill of Lading & Through Bill ...

7.3　Multi-Modal Bill of Lading & Through Bill of Lading多式联运提单和直达提单

These B/Ls apply when the carriage covers at least two modes of transport.

A multi-modal transport B/L or combined B/L,is one under which the carrier,namely,the Multi-Modal Transport Operator(MTO),generally the sea carrier,as the “one-stop shop”to the shipper,arranges and is liable for the transport of the cargo in the entire journey.In practice,he/she typically sub-contracts some legs of or the whole carriage to others.It can be issued either in a negotiable form or a non-negotiable form.

A through B/L is one under which the main carrier undertakes to perform one portion of the carriage,such as the sea leg,and also to arrange,as agent,an additional leg,such as the road carriage onward from the port of destination.