CONLINEBILL 2016

First published 1949, revised 1950, 1952, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 2000, 2016

LINER BILL OF LADING

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Shipper Bill of Lading No. Reference No.

Consignee or Order Notify address Vessel

Pre-carriage by** Port of loading

Place of receipt by pre-carrier** Port of discharge

Place of delivery by on-carrier**

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Container No./Seal No./Marks Number and kind of packages, description Gross weight, kg Measurement, m3
and Nos. of cargo

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PARTICULARS DECLARED BY THE SHIPPER BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE CARRIER
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Total number of Containers/Packages SHIPPED on board in apparent good order and condition (unless otherwise stated herein) the total
or Units received by the Carrier number of Containers/Packages or Units indicated in the Box opposite entitled Total number of
Containers/Packages or Units received by the Carrier and the cargo as specified above, weight,
measure, marks, numbers, quality, contents and value unknown, for carriage to the Port of discharge
or so near thereunto as the vessel may safely get and lie always afloat, to be delivered in the like
good order and condition at the Port of discharge unto the lawful holder of the Bill of Lading, on
Shippers declared value payment of freight as indicated to the left plus other charges incurred in accordance with the
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provisions contained in this Bill of Lading. In accepting this Bill of Lading the Merchant expressly
accepts and agrees to all its stipulations on both Page 1 and Page 2, whether written, printed,
stamped or otherwise incorporated, as fully as if they were all signed by the Merchant.
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One original Bill of Lading must be surrendered duly endorsed in exchange for the cargo or delivery
Declared value charge order, whereupon all other Bills of Lading to be void.
IN WITNESS whereof the Carrier, Master or their Agent has signed the number of original Bills of
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Lading stated below right, all of this tenor and date.

Freight details and charges Date shipped on board Place and date of issue Number of original
Bills of Lading

Carrier:..(insert name, principal place of business)

Signature:....(Carrier*/Master*/Agent*)
*Delete as appropriate

If signed by an Agent indicate with a tick whether for and on behalf of:
Master; or
Carrier

Agent.......(insert name)

** Applicable only when pre-/on-carriage is arranged in accordance with Clause 8.

As defined hereinafter (Cl. 1).

Copyright 2016 BIMCO. All rights reserved. Any unauthorised copying, duplication, reproduction or distribution of this document will
constitute an infringement of BIMCOs copyright. Printed by BIMCOs IDEA2.
v. 1.1. Dated 26 May 2016. Clause 12 (General Average) updated to refer to York-Antwerp Rules 2016.
CONLINEBILL 2016
NEGOTIABLE LINER BILL OF LADING
Page 2
1. Definition. (f) The Merchant shall accept its reasonable proportion of operators; and any direct or indirect servant, agent, or
"Merchant" includes the shipper, the receiver, the consignor, the unidentified loose cargo. subcontractor (including their own subcontractors), or any other
consignee, the holder of the Bill of Lading, the owner of the cargo 10. Freight, Charges, Costs, Expenses, Duties, Taxes and party employed by or on behalf of the Carrier, or whose services
and any person entitled to possession of the cargo. Fines. or equipment have been used to perform this contract whether in
2. Notification. (a) Freight, whether paid or not, shall be considered as fully direct contractual privity with the Carrier or not.
Any mention in this Bill of Lading of parties to be notified of the earned upon loading and non-returnable in any event. Unless (b) It is hereby expressly agreed that no Servant shall in any
arrival of the cargo is solely for the information of the Carrier and otherwise specified, freight and/or charges under this Contract are circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the
failure to give such notification shall not involve the Carrier in any payable by the Merchant to the Carrier on demand. Interest at Merchant or other party to this contract (hereinafter termed
liability nor relieve the Merchant of any obligation hereunder. Libor (or its successor) plus 2 per cent. shall run from fourteen Merchant) for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind
3. Liability for Carriage Between Port of Loading and Port of days after the date when freight and charges are payable. arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or
Discharge. (b) The Merchant shall be liable for all costs and expenses of default on the Servants part while acting in the course of or in
(a) The International Convention for the Unification of Certain fumigation, gathering and sorting loose cargo and weighing connection with the performance of this contract.
Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading signed at Brussels on 25 onboard, repairing damage to and replacing packing due to (c) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions
August 1924 ("the Hague Rules") as amended by the Protocol excepted causes, and any extra handling of the cargo for any of in this clause, every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty
signed at Brussels on 23 February 1968 ("the Hague-Visby the aforementioned reasons. contained herein (other than Art III Rule 8 of the Hague/Hague-
Rules") and as enacted in the country of shipment shall apply to (c) The Merchant shall be liable for any dues, duties, taxes and Visby Rules if incorporated herein) and every right, exemption
this Contract. When the Hague-Visby Rules are not enacted in the charges which under any denomination may be levied, inter alia, from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature
country of shipment, the corresponding legislation of the country on the basis of freight, weight of cargo or tonnage of the Vessel. applicable to the carrier or to which the carrier is entitled
of destination shall apply, irrespective of whether such legislation (d) The Merchant shall be liable for all fines, penalties, costs, hereunder including the right to enforce any jurisdiction or
may only regulate outbound shipments. expenses and losses which the Carrier, Vessel or cargo may incur arbitration provision contained herein shall also be available and
When there is no enactment of the Hague-Visby Rules in either through non-observance of Customs House and/or import or shall extend to every such Servant of the carrier, who shall be
the country of shipment or in the country of destination, the export regulations. entitled to enforce the same against the Merchant.
Hague-Visby Rules shall apply to this Contract save where the (e) The Carrier is entitled in case of incorrect declaration of (d) (i) The Merchant undertakes that no claim or allegation
Hague Rules as enacted in the country of shipment or, if no such contents, weights, measurements or value of the cargo to claim whether arising in contract, bailment, tort or otherwise shall be
enactment is in place, the Hague Rules as enacted in the country double the amount of freight which would have been due if such made against any Servant of the carrier which imposes or
of destination apply compulsorily to this Contract. declaration had been correctly given. For the purpose of attempts to impose upon any of them or any vessel owned or
The Protocol signed at Brussels on 21 December 1979 ("the SDR ascertaining the actual facts, the Carrier shall have the right to chartered by any of them any liability whatsoever in connection
Protocol 1979") shall apply where the Hague-Visby Rules apply, obtain from the Merchant the original invoice and to have the with this contract whether or not arising out of negligence on the
whether mandatorily or by this Contract. cargo inspected and its contents, weight, measurement or value part of such Servant. The Servant shall also be entitled to enforce
The Carrier shall in no case be responsible for loss of or damage verified. the foregoing covenant against the Merchant; and
to cargo arising prior to loading, after discharging, or with respect 11. Lien. (ii) The Merchant undertakes that if any such claim or allegation

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to deck cargo and live animals. The Carrier shall have a lien on all cargo for any amount due should nevertheless be made, it will indemnify the carrier against
(b) If the Carrier is held liable in respect of delay, consequential under this contract and the costs of recovering the same and shall all consequences thereof.
loss or damage other than loss of or damage to the cargo, the be entitled to sell the cargo privately or by auction to satisfy any (e) For the purpose of sub-paragraphs (a)-(d) of this clause the

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liability of the Carrier shall be limited to the freight for the carriage such claims. Carrier is or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on
covered by this Bill of Lading, or to the limitation amount as 12. General Average and Salvage. behalf of and for the benefit of all persons mentioned in sub-
determined in sub-clause 3(a), whichever is the lesser. General Average shall be adjusted, stated and settled in London clause (a) above who are its Servant and all such persons shall to
(c) The aggregate liability of the Carrier and/or any of its servants, according to the York-Antwerp Rules 2016, in respect of all cargo, this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this contract.
agents or independent contractors under this Contract shall, in no whether carried on or under deck. In the event of accident, 16. Stowage.
circumstances, exceed the limits of liability for the total loss of the danger, damage or disaster before or after commencement of the (a) The Carrier shall have the right to stow cargo by means of
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cargo under sub-clause 3(a) or, if applicable, the Additional voyage resulting from any cause whatsoever, whether due to containers, trailers, transportable tanks, flats, pallets, or similar
Clause. negligence or not, for which or for the consequence of which the articles of transport used to consolidate goods.
4. Law and Jurisdiction. Carrier is not responsible by statute, contract or otherwise, the (b) The Carrier shall have the right to carry containers, trailers,
Disputes arising out of or in connection with this Bill of Lading Merchant shall contribute with the Carrier in General Average to transportable tanks and covered flats, whether stowed by the
shall be exclusively determined by the courts and in accordance the payment of any sacrifice, losses or expenses of a General Carrier or received by him in a stowed condition from the
with the law of the place where the Carrier has its principal place Average nature that may be made or incurred, and shall pay Merchant, on or under deck without notice to the Merchant.
of business, as stated on Page 1, except as provided elsewhere salvage and special charges incurred in respect of the cargo. If a 17. Shipper-Packed Containers, trailers, transportable tanks,
herein. salving vessel is owned or operated by the Carrier, salvage shall flats and pallets.
5. The Scope of Carriage. be paid for as fully as if the salving vessel or vessels belonged to (a) If a container has not been filled, packed or stowed by the
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The intended carriage shall not be limited to the direct route but strangers. Carrier, the Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to
shall be deemed to include any proceeding or returning to or 13. Both-to-Blame Collision Clause. its contents and the Merchant shall cover any loss or expense
stopping or slowing down at or off any ports or places for any If the Vessel comes into collision with another vessel as a result of incurred by the Carrier, if such loss, damage or expense has been
reasonable purpose connected with the carriage including the negligence of the other vessel and any act, negligence or caused by:
bunkering, loading, discharging, or other cargo operations and default of the Master, Mariner, Pilot or the servants of the Carrier (i) negligent filling, packing or stowing of the container;
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maintenance of Vessel and crew. in the navigation or in the management of the Vessel, the (ii) the contents being unsuitable for carriage in container; or
6. Substitution of Vessel. Merchant will indemnify the Carrier against all loss or liability to (iii) the unsuitability or defective condition of the container unless
The Carrier shall be at liberty to carry the cargo or part thereof to the other or non-carrying vessel or her Owner in so far as such the container has been supplied by the Carrier and the
the Port of discharge by the said or other vessel or vessels either loss or liability represents loss of or damage to or any claim unsuitability or defective condition would not have been apparent
belonging to the Carrier or others, or by other means of transport, whatsoever of the owner of the cargo paid or payable by the other upon reasonable inspection at or prior to the time when the
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proceeding either directly or indirectly to such port. or non-carrying vessel or her Owner to the owner of the cargo and container was filled, packed or stowed.
7. Transhipment. set-off, recouped or recovered by the other or non-carrying vessel (b) The provisions of sub-clause (i) of this Clause also apply with
The Carrier shall be at liberty to tranship, lighter, land and store or her Owner as part of its claim against the carrying vessel or respect to trailers, transportable tanks, flats and pallets which
the cargo either on shore or afloat and reship and forward the Carrier. The foregoing provisions shall also apply where the have not been filled, packed or stowed by the Carrier.
same to the Port of discharge. Owner, operator or those in charge of any vessel or vessels or (c) The Carrier does not accept liability for damage due to the
8. Liability for Pre- and On-Carriage. objects other than, or in addition to, the colliding vessels or unsuitability or defective condition of reefer equipment or trailers
When the Carrier arranges pre-carriage of the cargo from a place objects are at fault in respect of a collision or contact. supplied by the Merchant.
other than the Vessel's Port of loading or on-carriage of the cargo 14. Government directions, War, Epidemics, Ice, Strikes, etc. 18. Return of Containers.
to a place other than the Vessel's Port of discharge, the Carrier (a) The Master and the Carrier shall have liberty to comply with (a) Containers, pallets or similar articles of transport supplied by
shall contract as the Merchant's Agent only and the Carrier shall any order or directions or recommendations in connection with the or on behalf of the Carrier shall be returned to the Carrier in the
not be liable for any loss or damage arising during any part of the carriage under this contract given by any Government or same order and condition as handed over to the Merchant, normal
carriage other than between the Port of loading and the Port of Authority, or anybody acting or purporting to act on behalf of such wear and tear excepted, with interiors clean and within the time
discharge even though the freight for the whole carriage has been Government or Authority, or having under the terms of the prescribed in the Carrier's tariff or elsewhere.
collected by him. insurance on the Vessel the right to give such orders or directions (b) The Merchant shall be liable to the Carrier for any loss,
9. Loading and Discharging. or recommendations. damage to, or delay, including demurrage and detention incurred
(a) Loading and discharging of the cargo shall be arranged by the (b) Should it appear that the performance of the carriage would by or sustained to containers, pallets or similar articles of transport
Carrier or its Agent. expose the Vessel or any cargo onboard to risk of seizure, during the period between handing over to the Merchant and
(b) The Merchant shall, at its risk and expense, handle and/or damage or delay, in consequence of war, warlike operations, return to the Carrier.
store the cargo before loading and after discharging. blockade, riots, civil commotions or piracy, or any person onboard
(c) Loading and discharging may commence without prior notice. to risk of loss of life or freedom, or that any such risk has ADDITIONAL CLAUSE
(d) The Merchant or its Agent shall tender the cargo when the increased, the Master may discharge the cargo at the Port of U.S. Trade. Period of Responsibility.
Vessel is ready to load and as fast as the Vessel can receive loading or any other safe and convenient port. (i) In case the Contract evidenced by this Bill of Lading is
including, if required by the Carrier, outside ordinary working (c) Should it appear that epidemics; quarantine; ice; labour subject to the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of the United
hours notwithstanding any custom of the port. If the Merchant or troubles, labour obstructions, strikes, lockouts (whether onboard States of America, 1936 (U.S. COGSA), then the provisions
its Agent fails to tender the cargo when the Vessel is ready to load or on shore); difficulties in loading or discharging would prevent stated in said Act shall govern before loading and after
or fails to load as fast as the Vessel can receive the cargo, the the Vessel from leaving the Port of loading or reaching or entering discharge and throughout the entire time the cargo is in the
Carrier shall be relieved of any obligation to load such cargo, the the Port of discharge or there discharging in the usual manner and
Carrier's custody and in which event freight shall be payable
Vessel shall be entitled to leave the port without further notice and departing therefrom, all of which safely and without unreasonable
the Merchant shall be liable to the Carrier for deadfreight and/or delay, the Master may discharge the cargo at the Port of loading on the cargo coming into the Carrier's custody.
any overtime charges, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the or any other safe and convenient port. (ii) If the U.S. COGSA applies, and unless the nature and
Carrier. (d) The discharge, under the provisions of this Clause, of any value of the cargo has been declared by the shipper before
(e) The Merchant or his Agent shall take delivery of the cargo as cargo shall be deemed due fulfilment of the contract of carriage. the cargo has been handed over to the Carrier and inserted
fast as the Vessel can discharge including, if required by the (e) If in connection with the exercise of any liberty under this in this Bill of Lading, the Carrier shall in no event be or
Carrier, outside ordinary working hours notwithstanding any Clause any extra expenses are incurred they shall be paid by the become liable for any loss or damage to the cargo in an
custom of the port. If the Merchant or its Agent fails to take Merchant in addition to the freight, together with return freight, if amount exceeding USD 500 per package or customary
delivery of the cargo the Carriers discharging of the cargo shall any, and a reasonable compensation for any extra services freight unit.
be deemed fulfilment of the contract of carriage. Should the cargo rendered to the cargo.
not be applied for within a reasonable time, the Carrier may sell 15. International Group of P&I Clubs/BIMCO Himalaya Clause
the same privately or by auction. If the Merchant or its Agent fails for bills of lading and other contracts 2014
to take delivery of the cargo as fast as the Vessel can discharge, (a) For the purposes of this contract, the term Servant shall
the Merchant shall be liable to the Carrier for any overtime include the owners, managers, and operators of vessels (other
charges, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Carrier. than the Carrier); underlying carriers; stevedores and terminal