(1) Unless otherwise agreed in the contract for the carriage of general cargo, the carrier is to issue to the Ablader, at the latter’s request, an order bill of lading that – at the choice of the Ablader – is made out “To Order” of the Ablader, “To Order” of the consignee, or simply “To Order” (blank); in the last case, this is to be deemed to mean “To Order” of the Ablader. The master as well as any other party authorised to sign bills of lading on behalf of the Reeder are entitled to issue the bill of lading on behalf of the carrier.
(2) The “Ablader” is defined as the party which delivers the goods to the carrier for carriage and which has been designated as Ablader by the shipper so as to be recorded as such in the bill of lading. If a party other than the Ablader delivers the goods for carriage, or if no party has been designated as Ablader, then the shipper will be deemed to be the Ablader.