Document background
The Transhipment Bill of Lading is essential for international maritime trade where goods must be transferred between vessels during their journey to their final destination. This document, governed by German law, particularly the Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch), serves multiple crucial functions: it acts as a receipt confirming the carrier's possession of goods, evidences the contract of carriage, and functions as a document of title enabling the transfer of ownership. It is specifically used when direct shipping routes are not available or economically viable, requiring cargo to be transferred at intermediate ports. The document must contain detailed information about all vessels involved, transhipment points, and specific handling instructions, while clearly defining liabilities and responsibilities during the entire journey, including the critical transhipment phase.
