SWB Bill of Lading, also known as Sea Waybill, is a type of ocean bill of lading primarily used for the transportation of goods by sea. The SWB bill of lading is issued by the carrier and is a transportation contract between the carrier and the shipper. The issuance of a SWB bill of lading indicates that the carrier has received the consignor’s goods and undertakes to transport them to the designated destination port.SWB ocean bill of ladingCompared with traditional ocean bills of lading, SWB bills of lading have the following characteristics:The issuance speed of SWB bills of lading is faster. Traditional ocean bills of lading usually need to be issued after the goods are loaded onto the ship, while SWB bills of lading can be issued before the goods are loaded onto the ship. This is a significant advantage for shippers who need to transport goods quickly.The cost of SWB bill of lading is lower. Traditional ocean bills of lading usually require high fees, while SWB bills of lading have relatively lower costs. This is a significant advantage for shippers who need to save on transportation costs.SWB bills of lading have higher security. Traditional ocean bills of lading are easily forged, while SWB bills of lading are difficult to forge. This is a significant advantage for shippers who need to ensure the safety of their goods.The issuance process of SWB bill of ladingThe issuance process of SWB bill of lading is as follows:The shipper submits a power of attorney for the transportation of goods to the carrier.The carrier issues a SWB bill of lading based on the information in the cargo transportation authorization letter.The shipper hands over the goods to the carrier.The carrier transports the goods to the designated destination port.The consignee shall pick up the goods at the destination port with the SWB bill of lading.The Legal Effect of SWB Bill of LadingThe SWB bill of lading is a transportation contract between the carrier and the shipper, which has legal effect. The issuance of a SWB bill of lading indicates that the carrier has received the consignor’s goods and undertakes to transport them to the designated destination port. If the carrier fails to fulfill its obligations, the shipper may claim compensation from the carrier based on the SWB bill of lading.Scope of application of SWB bill of ladingThe SWB bill of lading is mainly applicable to the transportation of goods by sea. However, SWB bills of lading can also be used for other modes of transportation, such as air freight, railway transportation, road transportation, etc.Advantages of SWB Bill of LadingThe SWB bill of lading has the following advantages:Fast issuance speed. The SWB bill of lading can be issued before the goods are loaded onto the ship, which is a great advantage for shippers who need to transport the goods quickly.Low cost. The cost of SWB bill of lading is relatively low, which is a great advantage for shippers who need to save transportation costs.High security. SWB bills of lading are difficult to forge, which is a great advantage for shippers who need to ensure the safety of the goods.Disadvantages of SWB Bill of LadingSWB bills of lading also have the following drawbacks:Not applicable to all goods. The SWB bill of lading is mainly applicable to the transportation of goods by sea and is not applicable to other modes of transportation, such as air freight, railway transportation, road transportation, etc.Limitation of Liability. The liability limit of SWB bills of lading is usually low, which may be a disadvantageous factor for shippers.Comparison between bill of lading and traditional ocean bill of lading:Characteristics of SWB Bill of Lading Traditional Ocean Bill of LadingFaster and slower issuance speedLower and higher costsHigher and lower securitySWB bill of lading is a new type of ocean bill of lading, which has the characteristics of fast issuance speed, low cost, and high safety. For shippers who need to transport goods quickly, save transportation costs, and ensure the safety of goods, SWB bills of lading are a good choice.
