Course price

Discounts

10% group discount is available for registering 3 or more participants from the same company.

Overview

Bills of Lading Masterclass Online is a series of 10 online sessions delivered over 5 days. Each day will run for 120 minutes with a short break in between. The masterclass will focus on the B/L as a part of broader sets of documents, each of which is necessary when selling or buying goods internationally. The course will also focus on international conventions, and how the B/L serves as essential for all parties involved in cargo transactions. 

What will you learn?

The Bills of lading is at the core of international trade. The course focuses on common issues in B/L disputes (such as claused B/L’s, general average, LOI’s and liens) as well as on how this is legally dealt with worldwide. The seminar is highly practical and focusses on practical solutions to common B/L problems.

Dates and topics of Bills of Lading Masterclass Online 

Monday, 21 November 2022	Overview of Bills of Lading	Stephen Mackin
	The Bill of Lading as a Receipt
Tuesday, 22 November 2022	The importance of International Regulation	Stephen Mackin
	The Protection of Third Parties
Wednesday, 23 November 2022	Who is the Legal Carrier under the Bill of Lading	Jessica Maitra
	The Bill of Lading as a Contract of Carriage
Thursday, 24 November 2022	The Problems caused by Negotiating Bills of Lading	Jessica Maitra
	Letters of Indemnity
Friday, 25 November 2022	The Bill of Lading as a Document of Title	Stephen Mackin
	Switch Bills of Lading

Starting times (for all sessions)

14:00 GMT/UTC
15:00 CET

Case studies

A ship arrives in port and the consignee is missing an original Bill of Lading due to a bank holiday. The master refuses to release the cargo. When the consignee returns after the holiday, the master claims demurrage. After discharge, it looks like the delivery is 800 tonnes short. If that wasn’t enough, some of the cargo has sustained water damage through a crack in the hull, which the crew noticed, but failed to report. Can the master refuse delivery without a Bill of Lading? Are the owners of the ship liable for the seawater damage? Is the consignee entitled to a claim for short delivery, and can he keep the recovery? These are just some of the aspects of one of the cases in the course.

In the case studies, you will work in small groups to consider the scenario and a range of problems that arise. The cases will be a focus for dialogue and will help the participants see how a B/L can serve different purposes for various parties.

Why choose to participate?

You will be taught by hand-picked industry experts who have built a career out of solving complicated Bills of Lading issues. The combination of theory, discussion and casework will make the complexity of B/L issues clear and manageable. The teachers will share valuable experiences and point participants towards practical solutions, which can be used on the job. The course will also facilitate networking between international shipping peers and enable long-term relationships between the participants.

The Masterclass is aimed at all practitioners involved in maritime transportation, who wish to boost their expert knowledge and become proficient in Bills of Lading.

How will this course help your professional development?

Bills of Lading issues arise in one way or form at every shipment. This course will assist you in identifying the potential challenges in advance and enable you to ask the right questions to the parties involved, thereby helping you to understand and explain your own risks and exposure.

After the course, you will have a have a much deeper understanding of the fundamental functions of the B/L and how it fits into the document flow. You will be able to discuss issues, such as delivery against an LOI, with your superiors, P&I club or legal counsel.

Course certification

Participants will be given an option of taking a final assessment (one-hour open-book test) at the end of the course, and Certificate of Achievement will be issued with a grade (distinction, merit or pass). Those not taking the assessment will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Course materials

BIMCO issues electronic course files as an Adobe PDF file enabling you to make personal notes. All documentation and presentations will be in English. Course access details will be provided once the registration is completed. 

You will also receive access to BIMCO's eLearning module on "Bills of Lading".

Speakers

Organiser