Unit 7

Unit 7

CONTRACTS

INTRODUCING NEW INFORMATION

Ex. 1. a) Read the extracts of the agreement and say what they are about.

A contract is a most important document signed by business partners where their rights and obligations are specified.

Below are some extracts from an Agency Agreement (Contract) con­ cluded between two transport firms.

AGENCY AGREEMENT

The present agreement has been concluded between Russtrans, Rus­ sia, hereinafter1 referred to as RTR, on the one hand, and FSU Freight Ltd, Hong Kong, hereinafter referred to as FSU, on the other hand, con­ cerning the following.

Article 1

1.2.The Parties shall jointly work out a technology of container transpor­ tation of cargoes from Hong Kong to Russia and vice versa2 by way of multi-modal transportation "by sea + by road" or "by sea + by rail + by road" via3 sea ports or railway terminals of Finland.

Article 2

2.1.RTR appoints FSU as its sole agent in Hong Kong to represent the interests of RTR on Hong Kong territory and act as agent and for­ warder in transportation of cargoes between Hong Kong and Russia.

Article 3

3.2.RTR undertakes to ensure delivery of loaded containers from Finnish pons or railway terminals to the final consignee in Russia and return

hereinafter - в дальнейшем именуемый 1 vice versa — обратно

5 та — через

Contracts	163

of the empty containers to Finland at the dates agreed upon by the Parties.

3.3.In case of back-loading from Russia to Hong Kong RTR arranges load­ ing and delivery of loaded containers as far as Finnish ports or railway terminals.

Article 4

The Parties shall agree by a separate Protocol upon through freight rates1 for container transportation from Hong Kong to Russia and back as well as return of empty/loaded containers to Finland.

Article б

All disputes that may arise between the Parties when executing the present Agreement are to be settled amicably by talks and correspondence. If it is impossible to settle a dispute in an amicable way, it is to be referred to Arbitration court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Rus­ sian Federation in Moscow.

The award of Arbitration is final and binding upon both Parties.

Article 7

The present Agreement enters into effect on the date of signing and is valid for 12 months till June 2000 whereupon it will be revised by the Parties.

Each of the Parties has the right to cancel the Agreement without indicat­ ing the reasons by written notification of the other Party 60 days before the cancellation, whereupon the Agreement is automatically terminated. The date of receipt is regarded as date of notification.

Article 8
The legal addresses of the Parties:
Russtrans	FSU Freight, Ltd.

b)Re-read the extracts and say iftbe statements below are true or false. Correct the false statements.

1.Russtrans are to work out a new technology of container transporta­

tion from Hong Kong to Russia and vice versa. 1 through freight rates — сквозные фрахтовые ставки

11'

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2.Containers will be shifted via Russian ports.

3.Empty containers should not be returned to the consignor.

4.Russtrans are to arrange back loading.

5.Both parties will settle all disputes in a friendly way.

6.Russtrans will have to publish advertising material for their account.

7.Each Party has the right to cancel this agreement before the date of expiry.

Ex. 2. Look through the extracts again and say what was mentioned there about:

a)responsibilities of the Parties under the present Agreement;

b)settlement of disputes;

c)freight rates for container transportation;

d)validity of the Agreement.

Ex. 3. Say which of the following clauses you can find in the above Agency Agreement:

a) Subject of the Contract	d)	Settlement of Disputes
b) Terms of Payment	e) Validity of the Contract
c) Terms of Delivery	f)	Insurance

Contracts	165
Ex. 8. Explain the meaning of the following phrases within the text:

1)to appoint a sole agent

2)to ensure back loading of containers

3)to cancel an agreement without indicating the reasons

4)to settle a dispute in an amicable way

5)to specify the obligations of the parties

6)to be valid for a year

7)to terminate automatically

Ex. 9. Match the verbs on the leftwith the noun phrases on the right and translate the expressions they makeinto Russian:

a) to specify	1) amicable settlement of disputes
b) to appoint	2) terms of an agreement
c) to ensure	3) the performance of the order
d) to arrange	4) from the date of signing
e) to revise	5) a sole agent
0 to terminate	6) through freight rates
g) to be valid	7) the Agency Agreement
h) to cancel	8) back loading of containers
i) to execute	9) obligations of the parties
j) to enter into effect	10) from the date of notification

DEVELOPING READING TECHNIQUES

Ex. 4. Listen to the text "Agency Agreement" and follow it with your eyes.

Ex. 5. Listen to the text again and repeat it sentence by sentence.

Ex. 6. Read the text aloud, approximate time of reading is 2.5 min.

LEARNING NEW WORDS

Ex. 7. a) Find the words in bold type and try to guess their meaning. Check up the translation of the words in the vocabulary (p. 188). Write them out in your vocabulary.

b) Write down all the words unknown to you in your vocabulary.

Ex. 10. Fill in the gaps with the words given in the boxes.

a) certificate

originally

traveled

origin

exporting

agreements

duties

concludes

partners

trade

taxes

quotas

The certificate of origin is a

which shows where the goods come

from

(this is necessary if they

have

through another country).

important to show the

of

It can be

the goods when the importing and

the

, because traders may pay less.

countries have special trade

A

with its trading

(coun-

government often

trade agreements

regularly). Under

tries with which it trades

agreements certain goods

from certain countries may be exempted from (they do not have to pay)

some of the

or may be allowed bigger

.

b) acting

representing

arranging

exported

forwarding

arranging importing

quay

Lading functions signed

shipping

forwarding

proving

166	Unit 7
An agent is a company (or a person) _ _ on behalf of or	an­

other company. There is a lot of documentation (paperwork) involved1 in

the transportation of

goods. An agent who handles the docu­

agent. He is

mentation and transportation is called an import or a

responsible for

the dispatch of the goods from their point of arrival

in the country

(the

or the airport) to the buyer and for arranging the

documentation.

The Bill of

has 3 main

:

1) it is a receipt for the goods

by the shipping company,

2) it is a contract between the

company and the

agent,

3) it is the title document

the

ownership of the

goods.

Ex. 11. a) Choose the best word to fill each gap: cost1, costs, expense*, expenses*.

1. Transport

have been very heavy for the last few years.

have increased greatly.

2. The manufacturing

3. One of the meanings

of the

word 'freight' is

of transport.

4.

They promised to pay advertising

.

5.

Vfe'U have to bear warehousing

.

6. At whose

shall the

defects be corrected?

7. It

a lot to build a new terminal.

8.

The company had to (raise, arise, rise) the prices for their products

because the production

had increased.

b)Complete the sentences by writing in the gap the correct form of the verbs: rise', raise*, arise1.

1. They have					prices for consumer goods beginning from the
	1st of August.
2. If you don't spell it properly, misunderstanding may								.
3. There was a price
					for oil last month and the company gained
	big profits.
4-	your hand if you want to say something.

involved - 3d. иыеюший отношение к...

; to cost — стоить

expenseж cost — стоимость, трата

'expenses = costs — расходы, издержки

'to rise (rate, risen) - подниматься

4	in nee-поднимать
7	to arise (arose, arisen) - возникать

Contracts

167

5. — When does the sun

in summer?

— It

very early.

the question of freight rate.

have to

6.

At the talks we'll

7.

He

first

his head

and then

from the table to greet me.

8.

The miners

.

demand that their wages should be

Ex. 12. Check yourself. Give English equivalents of the following Russian word com­ binations:

1)назначить единственного агента

2)уточнить обязанности сторон

3)вступать в действие со дня подписания

4)прекратить действие договора

5)быть окончательным и обязательным для обеих сторон

6)согласовать сквозные фрахтовые ставки

7)обеспечить возврат пустых контейнеров

8)урегулировать спорные вопросы дружеским путем

9)действовать в течение 5 лет

10)возникать между сторонами в период подписания соглашения

11)без указания причин

12)передавать дело в арбитраж

13)заключить договор о нижеследующем

REVIEWING GRAMMAR

Modal Verbs and Their Equivalents

Ex. 13. Study the table given below, mind the formal signs of using the modal verbs and their equivalents.

Modal verbs	Indefinite Infinitive	Perfect Infinitive
can (could)
may (might)
must	do smth.	have done smth.
be to
should
shall
have to

Unit 7

Ex. 14. Read the following sentences and translate them into Russian.

a)1. Our company could transport any kind of cargo.

2.You can take my pen. He said 1 could take his pen.

3.Could it be a misprint?

b)1. It cannot be so.

2.They cannot (could not) have given us such a reply.

3.Can (Could) they have given us such a reply?

c)1. Our company might transport this cargo within two weeks.

2.You may do it the way you like. He said you might do it the way you like.

3.The truck may cross this distance in three days.

4.That may have been a mistake.

5.He might have helped her to solve the task.

d)1. We must do our best to fulfil this order.

2.People must eam money to live on.

3.You must not smoke too much.

4.The truck must have arrived at the point of destination.

5.You must have worked too much. You look run down.

e)1. The parties shall agree by a separate Protocol on through freight rates.

2.Shall 1 read?

01 - You should consult a doctor if you feel bad.

2.The parties should study the draft contract before signing.

3.1should have married long ago.

g)1. He was to meet a delegation on Sunday.

2.The truck is (was) to arrive on Friday at 11 a.m.

3.The truck was to have arrived on Friday at 11 a. m.

h)I.I have to get up at six every day.

2.The company had to accept payment by L/C.

3.Wfe shall have to come to an agreement if we want to work together.

Ex. IS. Pot in the right modal verb.

1.You (may, have to, shall) load your truck with computers in St. Pe­ tersburg because we don't have any cargo from Narva.

2.They (can, to be to, should) transfer the money to our account in the Russian Credit Bank

Contracts	169

3.In the circumstances we (to be to, have to, might) share warehouse expenses.

4.Their company (have to, can, might) provide customs clearance at their premises.

5.According to the terms of our contract you (could, should, to be to) deliver the whole consignment to the port and load it on board the chartered vessel.

6.I'm sorry I (can, should, have to, must) be off. I've got an appoint­ ment at 12.

7.Wfe know that we (to be to, should, shall) handle this box with extra care.

8.The wagon (to be to, might, could) be discharged by 3 o'clock today.

9.A new contract (must, might, can) be concluded if we solve this problem.

10.Very good specialists (should, can, shall) be trained at the newly-built Business Centre of the city.

Ex. 16. Change the Indefinite Infinitive into the Perfect Infinitive, make necessary changes in the sentences and translate them.

1.Transport costs might increase.

2.The terminal should be equipped for handling containers.

3.The truck cannot cross the border 2 hours after the loading.

4.Wfe may gain something if we give in.

5.Ingosstrakh must arrange your insurance cover.

6.The consignor cannot dispatch the goods on time.

7.The Bill of Lading should be signed by the ship's master.

8.The cheapest route should be offered.

9.It might be better to send the goods by air.

10.We could not buy the tools from another company.

Ex. 17. Translate the following sentences into English.

1.• Bell&Co. — небольшая компания. Она могла бы слиться с MultiNational Ltd. Обе фирмы только выиграют.

2.Тебе не нужно раздражаться по пустякам.

3.На этом месте нужно будет построить большой транспортный узел.

4.В соответствии с договором они обеспечивают подачу вагонов под загрузку 3 раза в неделю.

5.Ты должен был решать вопрос непосредственно с управлением порта.

6.Вы могли бы сослаться на телефонный разговор с вице-прези­ дентом фирмы.

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Unit 7

'. Мне кажется, мы не сможем взять кредит в банке. Нам придет­ ся самим финансировать расширение бизнеса.

8.В любом случае мы могли бы оплатить сверхурочные.

9.Это срочная поставка. Согласно пункту 5 она должна быть от­ правлена немедленно.

10.Мы можем загрузить судно к концу дня, хотя это будет нелегко. По пятницам мы заканчиваем раньше.

Contracts

Ex. 20. a) Put in articles where necessary.

DearSuy
Wfe are writing to you to specify										points in
tween		Volvo Parts and
								Russtrans as
held in November.				parties have agreed on

171

Protocol signed be­ result of talks following:

Ex. 18. Put in the Indefinite or Perfect Infinitive with one of the modal verbs {can,

1. to set up

consignment stock' in

St. Petersburg for

could, must, may, might, sliould, have to, to be to) and translate the sentences.

terms of

Agree­

M)lvo trucks spare parts and to work out

1. The agreement (to draw up) yesterday but it is still not ready.

ment.

Agreement may be signed

after

arrangements of

2. Under the contract our agents (to invoice) customers and (to send) us

Russia.

necessary formalities in

their statement every quarter.

2. to equip

provided storage

premises in

St. Petersburg

firm

3. The contract (to come into effect) from the 1st of January and is valid

for 3 years.

shall deliver free of

charge

necessary warehouse equip­

ment as well as

accordance with

4. As our agent you (to bear) the risk if the customers do not pay.

office

equipment in

5. During the execution of the contract many disputes (to arise), which,

specification

agreed

upon by

parties.

if possible, (to settle) amicably.

3.

Volvo spare parts stored at

present time at

Russtrans

6. Wfe are sorry to advise you that due to inflation we (to revise) our prices.

7. If you want to cancel the agreement, you (to indicate) the reason clear­

will be taken on

consignment at

prices which will be fixed

ly.

additionally2.

8. Our partners (to ensure) back-loading because the volume of trans­

Wfe will write to you as soon as

contracting parties come to

port (to decrease) considerably.

9. According to point 5.1 the German forwarders (to handle) all our con­

terms about

price and

time limits for

execution of

signments and (to send) us a statement every month.

future agreement.

10. — Who (to pay) warehousing expenses?

Yburs faithfully

- Under the agreement these expenses (to share) between us. Wfe (to

J. Anderson

bear) office expenses.

Vice President

Ex. 19. Use modal verbs in the text below where necessary. Put the infinitives given

b) Read the letter above and answer the following questions.

in the brackets in the correct tense and voice and translate the text.

1. What is a consignment stock?

This Agreement (to enter) into force 30 days after the Contracting

2. Has the contract between Russtrans and Volvo Parts been signed yet?

Parties (to inform) each other in writing that the measures necessary (to

3. When are they going to sign it?

give) effect to the Agreement (to take place).

4. Why are the partners going to set up a consignment stock?

The Agreement (to remain) effective' for the period of one year after

its entry into force. Thereafter it (to continue) in force unless it (to termi­

c) Write a reply to the invitation to come to Moscow for further talks and

nate) by one Contracting Party by (to give) a six months' notice thereof in

the signing of the Agreement.

writing to the other Contracting Party.

effcethe - действующий, имеющий силу

1

consignment stock — консигнационный склад

2

additionally—дополнительно

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Unit 7

d)You are a Volvo manager. Before writing a reply to the letter go over the points of the Protocol again.

Ex. 21. Put in prepositions where necessary.

1. LLP hereinafter referred

as Customer,

the one hand, and

TUST hereinafter referred

as Performer,

the other hand,

have agreed

the following.

the Partners is obliged to

2. According

the Agreement any

compensate

the other Partner

the damages caused

him.

3.

case

termination

the present Agreement

any

reason, all the documents are to be returned

the Board

90 days

the date

termination

the

Agreement.

4. When it is impossible to settle the dispute

an amicable way both

parties have the right to refer it

the

Arbitration Court the award

both parties.

which is final and binding

5.

Contract is valid

mutual

This

1 year and may be extended

agreement

a definite or an indefinite period

time.

6.

we missed

the point

commission.

the last talks

our

discuss

it now.

Let's

placing the vessel

7. I think he should bear full responsibility

loading

a 12 hours' delay.

8. What's

my

commission based

?

Ex.22. Translate the following sentences into English. •

a) 1. Будучи нашим агентом, вы несете ответственность за предо­ ставление информации о состоянии дел на рынке.

2.Они обязаны оплатить наши расходы по дополнительной рек­ ламе.

3.Вы смогли бы обеспечить обратную загрузку из Барселоны?

4.Оригиналы счетов и отчет за сентябрь должны быть высланы не позднее 10 октября отдельным пакетом.

5.Мы могли бы поднять вопрос о пересмотре цен с 1 апреля, но для этого нужны веские причины.

6.Этот вопрос можно было бы решить дружеским путем, нам пришлось бы выплатить штраф (fine).

7.Я хочу заблокировать свою кредитную карточку. Дело в том,

8.Если у вас возникнут трудности с транспортом, обращайтесь

внашу фирму. Наши ставки гораздо ниже, чем у наших кон­ курентов.

9.Я уверен, что мои рекомендации могут повысить репутацию вашей фирмы.

10.В последнее время цены на потребительские товары во всем мире постоянно растут.

11.Как вы считаете, когда возник конфликт?

12.Рекламные расходы пойдут за ваш счет.

13.Как вы объясните повышение складских расходов?

14.На сколько процентов возросли транспортные расходы?

15.Нам нужно будет повысить цены, так как наши расходы воз­ росли.

Ь) Уважаемые господа,

Кае: Чартер-партия от 12.03.20...

По Вашей просьбе прилагаем копию вышеуказанного дого­ вора, подписанного обеими сторонами. Просим извинить нас за задержку, которая произошла не по нашей вине.

Просим Вас обратить внимание на пункт 8, который гласит

«Фрахтователь предоставляет капитану право подписать в пункте погрузки только штурманскую расписку о приеме груза (Mate's Receipt). В этом случае коносамент оформля­ ется и подписывается в Гамбурге фирмой Getling GmbH, ко­ рабельным брокером, после отправки его по факсу владель­ цу судна для получения разрешения на его подписание».

Просим подтвердить пункт 8 по факсу. С уважением

Ex. 23. a) Translate the text into English and say what important information about the agent's work you have found in it.

ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ АГЕНТА ПО ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ ПОГРУЗКИ/РАЗГРУЗКИ СУДНА

Когда наше судно прибыло в порт, наш агент сообщил, что раз­ грузка на двух причалах уже ведется. На первом причале мы долж-

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Unit 7

ны были разгрузить крупногабаритный груз, так как там работает 50-тонный кран. После этого судно должно было пойти на другой причал для разгрузки генерального груза. Агент еще не сообщил в администрацию порта и получателям груза о нашем прибытии. Он сам съездил в порт, чтобы сделать это и уточнить детали разгрузки. Он организовал работу бригады стивидоров, которые должны были работать в каждом трюме. Он сказал, что они будут работать с 6 утра до 12 дня и каждый трюм будет обслуживаться 10-тонным краном. Капитан хотел, чтобы при разгрузке присутствовал сюрвейер, так как он боялся, что груз мог быть поврежден в пути. По коносаменту оставалось получить еше кое-какую плату, и капитан попросил аген­ та собрать все причитающиеся им деньги.

b)Read the English text and compare it with your variant. How different is the information?

THE AGENT'S ARRANGEMENTS

FOR THE DISCHARGING AND LOADING OF THE SHIP

When we arrived at that port our agent was there to meet us. He said he had made arrangements for discharging at two berths. At the first berth we were to unload extra-weights because there was a 50-ton crane there. Then we were to shift to the other berth to discharge general cargo. The agent had advised the port authorities and the receivers of the ship's arriv­ al. He came aboard to fix up some details of discharging the cargo. He arranged a separate stevedore gang to work at each hold. He said they would work in two shifts, from 6 a.m. to midnight. A10-ton crane would operate for each hold. The captain wanted a surveyor to be invited as he feared that some damage to the goods might have happened during the voyage. There was some freight to be collected on the Bills of Lading and he informed the captain that he had collected nearly all the money due to the ship.

LEARNING TO LISTEN AND TO SPEAK

. listen to the telephone conversation and say whether the partners are dis­ cussing:

a)office expenses;

b)outstanding invoices;

c)the length of the contract;

d)agency commission;

e)warehousing costs;

f)disputes that can arise;

g)future risks;

h)the sole agency agreement;

i)the award of Arbitration.

DISCUSSING AN AGENCY CONTRACT

Mark Fedorov, general director of a Russian forwarding company, wants his firm to be an agent of ASL in Russia. He is discussing an agency contract with Clint Larsen who is President of ASL, a big European trans­ port company.

Larsen: Before drawing up this agreement I'd like to go overthe contract terms once more, Marie

Fedorov: I've no objections to that. Even when you take notes as we did, it's easy to miss something out.

Larsen: As I understand it, you'll be our agent for the whole of Russia

and you'll be handling all our transport operations.

Fedorov. Agreed.

Larsen: Now the next point was... the length of the contract. It'll be three years, won't it?

Fedorov: Yes, and, renegotiable, provided we are both happy with the agreement.

Larsen: I'm sure, it'll work out all right. Let's see, what was the next point we discussed. Ah yes, whether you wanted a sole and ex­ clusive agency.

Fedorov: Yes, that's right, exclusive agency. And let me remind you that I also receive extra 5% for invoicing customers.

Larsen: Ah yes, you're bearing the risk if customers don't pay. I'd for­ gotten that.

Fedorov: Wfe-'H also be responsible for invoicing customers and for credit control. We'll be sending you copies of all invoices for your records.

Larsen: We must have those because we'll be sending you a statement every three months. Your commission will be based on it. Wfe'Jl settle up by transferring the money to your account in Moscow. The Russian Credit Bank. Right?

Fedorov: Yes.

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Unit 7

Larsen: The rest's fairly simple. Advertising will be shared between us. Warehousing costs - we'll pay those, but you'll have to bear all office expenses.

Fedorov: That's no problem.

Ex. 25. Read the dialogue above and say if the following sentences arc true or false. Correct those which are false.

1.Mr. Larsen and Mr. Fedorov signed the agency contract without go­ ing over the terms for a second time.

2.The contract was made for two years.

3.A sole agent doesn't receive an extra commission.

4.The agent was not responsible for invoicing customers.

5.Mr. Larsen was going to pay advertising, warehousing and office ex­ penses.

Ex. 26. Listen to the dialogue again and say what yo remember about:

a)types of agency contracts;

b)the responsibilities of the Contracting Parties;

c)the extra commission of the agent.

Ex. 27. Listen to the conversation and repeat it sentence by sentence.

Ex. 28. Rearrange the conversation.

Larsen: I'm sure; it'll work out all right. Let's see, what was the next point we discussed. Ah yes, whether you wanted a sole and ex­ clusive agency.

Fedorov. Agreed.

Larsen: Now the next point was... the length of the contract. It'll be three years, won't it?

Fedorov. Yes, that's right, exclusive agency. And let me remind you that I also receive extra 5% for invoicing customers.

Larsen: As I understand it, you'll be our agent for the whole of Russia and you'll be handling all our transport operations.

Fedorov. Yes, and, renegotiable, provided we are both happy with the agreement.

Larsen: We must have those because we'll be sending you a statement every three months. Your commission will be based on it.

Fedorov. We'll also be responsible for invoicing customers and for credit control. We'll be sending you copies of all invoices for your records.

Contracts	177

Larsen: All yes, you're bearing the risk if customers don't pay. I'd for­ gotten that.

Ex. 29. Complete the conversation.

Larsen: Before drawing up this agreement I'd like to go over the con­ tract terms once more, Mark.

Fedorov.

Larsen: As I understand it, you'll be our agent for the whole of Russia and you'll be handling all our transport operations.

Fedorov.

Larsen: Let's see, what was the next point we discussed. Ah yes, wheth­ er you wanted a sole and exclusive agency.

Fedorov.

Larsen: The rest's fairly simple. Advertising will be shared between us. Warehousing costs — we'll pay those, but you'll have to bear all office expenses.

Fedorov:

Ex. 30. You want to renegotiate the Agency Contract with Mr. Larsen.

Choose one of the problems from the list below you would like to discuss and contact Mr. Larsen and discuss the problem you have chosen.

a)your commission

b)the length of the contract

c)advertising expenses

d)invoicing the customers

e)terms of payment

f)warehousing costs

g)office expenses

Ex. 31. Have a conversation with your partner using the information below.

You work for a big Russian company. You have more than 10 years experience in delivering different kinds of goods to various consignees in Russia. You intend to expand your business and act as a forwarding agent to Schenker in Russia. Discuss the terms of your future agreement includ­ ing your inherent power (собственные полномочия или компетенции) as a representative of Schenker. You would like to work on a 15% commis­ sion.

178

Unit 7

LEARNING TO WRITE

Ex. 32. a) Yon work for Russtrans Ltd. with head office in Moscow.

Read the following letter sent to your company and explain to your boss in Russian what the letter is about and ask him to what department in your company you should hand over this letter as you do not deal with correspondence with the Spanish partners.

Russtrans, Ltd

Moscow

June 12,20_

Dear Sirs,

We refer to the meeting we had with Mr. Nizov during his stay in Spain in May this year.

It has been agreed that we might be appointed your second agent in Spain to deal with traffic to third countries as well as with back-loading, customs clearance and other formalities.

Enclosed please find a draft agreement that we have prepared for your con­ sideration. If you have any comments we are ready to discuss them any time convenient to you.

We realize that Mr Nizov who was at first the person in charge of the ne­ gotiations with our company does not deal with this matter now. We would appreciate it if you give us the name of the person or people for further contacts because we are having difficulties in receiving prompt answers to urgent matters which causes us considerable inconveniences.

Looking forward to your soonest reply.

Yours sincerely

Fernando Rouge

Traffic manager

b)What document is enclosed with the letter? Where did the partners meet first? Why did Fernando Rouge ask the Russian company to give him the name of the person to keep in touch with? .

Contracts	179

c)Phone the Spanish firm and introduce yourself as a person who is in charge of business with them. Tell them you have sent them a fax message with your comments on the future agency agreement.

d)What conversation did Mr. Nizov have when he was in Spain? Role-play if with your partner.

e)Write a reply to the letter on behalf of Mr. Sedov, a new manager, who is in charge of this business now.

Ex. 33. a) Put in preposiUons in the following letter, read and translate it into Rus­

sian.

Dear Sirs,

We are pleased to learn _

your company and your activities J

Denmark. As you know we have been dealing

cargo transport

Russia

10 years.

Denmark and vice versa

your guidancel, the handling

our vehicles is ехе$Ш#

Т. D.E. who are acting as our

a contract'

sole agents

basis.

However, we would be glad to get

your company orders

back-loading

Russia.

Denmark

receipt

your consent

principle we shall send you our

tariffs.

We are looking

hearing

you.

Yours faithfully

b)Find in the letter the English for the following word combinations:

1)заниматься грузовыми перевозками

2)получать от вашей фирмы заказы на обратную загрузку

3)о вашей деятельности в Дании

4)в качестве нашего единственного агента на контрактной основе

5)по получению вашего согласия

6)с нетерпением ждем ответа

c)Write a reply to the firm and offer to be their second agent in Europe.

'for your guidance — к вашему сведению

180

Unit 7

LEARNING TO READ AND ANALYSE

. 34. Read the following text without a dictionary and say whether it is intended for

a)sea carriers;

b)individuals;

c)road carriers;

d)customs authorities;

e)logistic service providers.

EXTRACTS FROM THE CMR The contracting parties have agreed as follows: Article 2

The. Contract of Carriage shall be confirmed by making out of consign­ ment-note. The consignment note shall be made out in 3 original copies signed by the sender and by the carrier. These signatures may be printed or replaced by stamps of the sender and the carrier if the law of the country in vfl^chthe consignment note has been made out so permits. The first copy shall be handed to the sender, the second shall accompany the goods and the third shall be retained by the carrier.

Article 11

For the purposes of Customs and other formalities which have to be com­ pleted before delivery of the goods, the sender shall attach the necessary documents to the consignment note or place them at the disposal of the carrier and shall furnish him with all the information which he requires.

Ex. 35. Read the text again, translate it into Russian and answer the questions be­ low.

1.What is a consignment note?

2.Is Bill of Lading and Consignment Note the same or different?

3.In what case can a consignment note be stamped?

Ex. 36. Read the text and say whether it is:

a)an advertisement;

b)a passage from a text-book;

c)an encyclopedia article;

d)a newspaper article.

Contracts

BOLERO: A STEP TO THE 21ST CENTURY

A system for electronic transmission of bills of lading is set

for commercial launch next year, writes our Sydney correspondent.

"Bolero will change our lives in the same way that containerization changed the lives of our predecessors'," according to the Through Trans­ port (*TT) Club's David Martin-Clark.

Designed to allow the secure electronic transmission of bills of lading and other freight documents, the Bolero project is a joint venture between the TT Club and Swift, an association of 6,000 banks that handles inter­ bank money transfers.

The TT Club was approached as a partner because of its neutral status as a mutual transport insurer owned by its members, said Mr. Martin-Clark, who unveiled the system at the International Federation of Freight For­ warder Associations (FIATA) conference in Sydney last month.

"Swift already handles $ 3,5 m of transactions a day, and has not lost a cent in 20 years," said Mr. Martin-Clark. "It finds it laughable that the freight industry thinks that paper documents are more secure."

Mr. Martin-Clark said that Bolero would be at the full testing stage by November. "We have taken a step-by-step approach because we want to launch a perfect product onto the market," he said.

"There is no way back into the past. To be successful we must em­ brace2 change and not be frightened of the future. Bolero represents a big change. It requires many of us to put aside our attitudes towards the way that business has been transacted for generations. It demands a global view and the vision to appreciate3 the potential of the future."

"But, finally, a word of warning, Bolero will happen. It will not go away. The focus of the initiative has so far been on the larger operators in industry, and in the banking and logistics service providers that support them," said Mr. Martin-Clark.

"Already a significant number of multinational organizations are tak­ ing note and preparing themselves for the commercial launch next No­ vember. It could be that the growth in Bolero acceptance will be very high and its usage very quickly adopted around the world. Bolero can be imple­ mented to support the simplest or the most sophisticated of users and will not disadvantage the smaller operator. In fact, in many ways, the Bolero

1	predecessors — предшественники
2	embrace — зд. пойти на что-либо

} appreciate — оценивать