Combined Transport Documents (CTD) is a transport document used when multiple modes of transport are used to transport goods. Although this document is similar to the combined transport bill of lading in ocean transportation, its nature is different from that of the combined transport bill of lading.
1. Scope of use of combined transport bill of lading and multimodal transport documents
The combined transport bill of lading is limited to combined transport consisting of ocean transportation and other modes of transport. The scope of use of multimodal transport documents is wider than that of combined transport bills of lading. It can be used for combined transport of ocean transportation and other modes of transport, and for combined transport of other modes of transport excluding ocean transportation, but it must be combined transport of at least two different modes of transport.
2. Issuers of combined transport bills of lading and multimodal transport documents
The combined transport bill of lading is issued by the carrier, the captain or the agent of the carrier. The multimodal transport document is issued by the multimodal transport operator or a person authorized by him. It can be made transferable or non-transferable. The multimodal transport operator may not have control over the means of transport at all, such as a non-vessel operating common carrier, and the entire transportation is arranged by each sub-carrier.
3. The responsibilities of the issuer of the combined transport bill of lading and the issuer of the multimodal transport document are different
The issuer of the combined transport bill of lading is only responsible for the first leg of transportation, while the issuer of the multimodal transport document (multimodal transport operator) is responsible for the entire transportation and shall be responsible to the shipper regardless of the loss and damage of the goods that falls within the scope of the carrier’s liability anywhere.