What is the difference between a bill of lading which is signed as carrier and as agent of the carrier?

A bill of lading could be signed by one of the entities stated below:

• the carrier or 
• an agent of the carrier or 
• the master or 
• an agent of the master or 
• a freight forwarder.

The party that has signed the bill of lading must indicate its signing capacity.

For example, if the carrier has signed the bill of lading, then it must be indicated on the bill of lading (B/L) that it has been signed by the carrier.

Likewise if the master has signed the bill of lading, then it must be indicated on the bill of lading that it has been signed by the master.

What are the differences between carriers and freight forwarders?

Definition of Carrier in International Conventions:

Global sea cargo transportation is governed by international conventions.

The first convention signed in international scale related to international sea transportation is known as "Hague Rules".

The full name of this convention is "International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading and Protocol of Signature".

Hague Rules drafted in Brussels on 25 August 1924 and defines the carrier as follows:

"Carrier" includes the owner or the charterer who enters into a contract of carriage with a shipper.