As transport speed increases and global trade intensifies, contracts for the carriage of goods and attendant relationships are becoming ever more complex. This timely publication brings together expert contributions from around the globe, looking both at the theoretical background of the bill of lading as well as its application in practice today. With third party involvement at an all-time high, this text also discusses the difficult question of third party rights and liabilities under a number of different jurisdictions. Covering English, US and EU law, this work provides a comparative and authoritative source of information for maritime lawyers worldwide. Throughout the course of the text, the authors examine a number of contemporary issues and debates including: Conflict of laws Clauses on arbitration, jurisdiction and adjudication The incorporation of charterparty terms into bills of lading Carriers' liability for the inclusion of misleading statements in cargo documents Delivery without presentation of a transport document Security interests in goods under transport The law applicable to multimodal carriage This is an essential text for all those involved in the research and practice of international trade and the carriage of goods by sea.