What precautions should a master take when he is required to sign bills of lading under a charter party, and the charterer’s bills are to be used?

Check that the charterers’ bills incorporate (by the inclusion of a Clause Paramount) the terms of the Hague Rules or Hague-Visby Rules.

 If there is no reference to either rules, seek the advice of the P&I club correspondent. (Clubs usually restrict cover to contracts incorporating terms at least as favourable as those given by the Hague Rules or Hague-Visby Rules. )