The book first analyses the "presentation rule", its finer contents and its legal basis. It then analyses three developments and responses to the problems that the bill of lading system gives rise to in practice. The commercial response consists of contractual exemption or limitation clauses in the bill of lading set up as a defence against claims for misdelivery. The international legislature's response denotes the adoption of the Rotterdam Rules. Finally, the technological response denotes the possibility of using electronic bills of lading. The analyses include a comparative approach examining both English and Scandinavian law to elucidate the issues with greater clarity.