The bill of lading (B/L) is the key document in sea transport: the carrier's receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and a document of title representing the goods.
Document of title: whoever holds the original B/L can claim the goods at the port of destination; with a bearer B/L that is any holder.
Distinction: in road transport, the CMR note is the transport document but not a document of title.
For road hauliers: relevant for pre- and on-carriage to and from seaports.