The container bill of lading

Abstract

Combined transport and containerization are not new developments. For decades the “Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits” of the International Chamber of Commerce have recognised the “through bill of lading issued by a steamship company” as evidencing a combined transport ; and for nearly twice as long Europe has seen goods moving in containers. What is new is the rapidity and extent of the joint development of these transport methods, resulting in the multi-modal movement of cargo in the “large boxes” of the 1970’s. The concept of containerization implies that, the loaded article of transport, closed and sealed is shipped from the point of dispatch to the point of destination without interruption en route. In practice the whole transport is treated as a single movement operation, although by different means of transport – hence, the expression “multi-modal” and the former distinction into separate parts of transport, according to their nature as inland and sea transport, becomes of subordinate significance. In addition, the progressive use of container transport means that the decisive points of departure and arrival are no longer sea ports but are transferred to inland locations.