What happens if multiple conflicting bills of lading are presented?

When multiple conflicting bills of lading are presented, the key issue revolves around the authority of the documents and the obligations associated with them. The scenario in which the bill held by the freighter or consignee that is signed by the captain is deemed valid against the captain establishes a clear hierarchy in which the captain's endorsement carries significant weight.

In maritime commerce, the bill of lading serves as a contract and also as a receipt for the goods. When the captain signs a bill, it not only represents the acknowledgment of the shipment but also effectively completes the contractual obligation of the carrier for that particular transaction. Therefore, this aspect suggests that the bill held by the freighter or consignee, particularly one that has the captain's signature, has a stronger legal standing and must be honored as the authoritative document.

This principle underscores the importance of the signature in creating obligations and rights under the contract formed by the bill of lading, predicating the validity on issuer credentials and the sequence of endorsement. Hence, when multiple bills are in play, the one endorsed by the captain becomes the governing document against the captain in handling the goods and determining liability.