Definition
The contact named on a bill of lading whom the shipping line must inform when the cargo arrives — typically the importer's clearing agent, or the importer themselves. The notify party has no rights over the cargo (that belongs to the consignee or holder of the bill); it exists purely so arrival notices reach someone who will act on them. Naming the wrong notify party is a classic cause of containers sitting unnoticed in port, racking up storage and demurrage.