How can bills of lading issued to bearer be transferred?

Bills of lading issued to bearer are negotiable instruments, meaning ownership can be transferred freely and simply by physical delivery. When such a document is physically handed over to another party, that party assumes ownership and all rights associated with it. This characteristic makes bills of lading particularly flexible and practical in commercial shipping transactions, as they facilitate the easy transfer of title to the goods being transported without the need for formalities.

The other options do not align with the established principles governing bearer instruments. For instance, sending an email notification or filing a request with the shipping line would not suffice, as these methods do not constitute a legitimate transfer of the physical document. Similarly, creating a digital copy does not transfer ownership since the original physical document is the recognized proof of entitlement to the cargo. Thus, the physical handover of the document is the only proper way to effectuate the transfer of ownership for bills of lading issued to bearer.