Craft and Barge Clause

The lighterage clause is a common provision in international trade and maritime shipping, primarily used to regulate the allocation of responsibilities, costs, and risks when goods need to be transferred from a large vessel via lighter (craft/barge) to a dock or another vessel. This clause typically appears in charter parties, bills of lading, or letters of credit, especially when port water depth is insufficient for the large vessel to berth, or when goods need to be lightered at anchorage. Its core contents include: clarifying who is responsible for the lighterage operation, who bears the costs, when the risk transfers, and who is liable for cargo damage during lighterage. Unlike a general 'transshipment clause,' the lighterage clause specifically refers to short-distance waterborne carriage using small vessels, rather than a change in the mode of transport for the entire voyage. Points to note: if the letter of credit does not explicitly permit lighterage, it may constitute a discrepancy; the buyer and seller should stipulate lighterage costs and risk allocation in the contract to avoid disputes. Difference: unlike 'loading and unloading clauses,' the lighterage clause focuses on the short-haul segment between the large vessel and the dock, rather than loading or unloading itself.