(1) Unless they have issued a bill of lading, the carrier may issue a sea waybill. Section 515 is to be applied accordingly to the content of the sea waybill, subject to the proviso that the shipper takes the stead of the Ablader.
(2) In the absence of proof to the contrary, the sea waybill will serve as prima facie evidence of the conclusion of the contract for the carriage of general cargo; it will also serve as prima facie evidence of the contract’s contents, as well as of the fact that the carrier has taken over the goods. Section 517 is to be applied accordingly.
(3) The sea waybill is to be signed by the carrier; a reproduction of the personal signature by means of printing or stamp will be sufficient.
(4) An electronic record having the same functions as the sea waybill is deemed equivalent to the sea waybill, provided that the authenticity and integrity of the record are assured (electronic sea waybill). The Federal Ministry of Justice hereby is authorised to determine by statutory instrument, issued in agreement with the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and not requiring the consent of the Federal Council (Bundesrat), the details of issuing, presenting, returning and transmitting an electronic sea waybill, as well as the particulars of the process of posting retroactive entries to an electronic sea waybill.