Identity of the carrier
Under Italian law the identity of the contractual bill of lading
carrier is determined primarily as a matter of construction of
material clauses on both the face of the bill of lading (for
instance the logo appearing on the face of the bill, the printed
signature and the terms and capacity in which that clause is
signed) or the reverse of the document.
The bill of lading must necessarily allow, pursuant to Italian
case-law, the identification of the carrier.1 In case
there is no clear indication of the carrier the heading of the bill
of lading is a relevant clue, provided that it is not inconsistent
with the signature; if the bill of lading is signed by the master
(or an agent signing as master's or owners' agent) the
carrier is generally identified in the owner of the ship.
