ABSTRACT
Thirty years ago, when combined transport was in its infancy, every trade had one separate bill of lading contract. Negotiating the terms of the conference bill was a nightmare which amply demonstrated the old adage that the speed of decision of any committee is in an inverse ratio to the number of members of that committee. Clearly the most efficient committee is a committee of one but conference politics would not permit that at this stage. Conference bills continued for few years more but, as conferences gradually became weaker, the possibility of achieving what would have been unthinkable only a few years previously manifested itself: a universal bill of lading to cover all trades. This bill of lading is an optional document which can be used as a port-to-port or combined transport bill of lading according to how it is completed. The name of party to whom the carrier sends arrival notification form advising of goods coming forward for delivery.
