12. Duration of Carrier's Liability.—
The carrier's liability begins when he receives the goods for immediate transportation. He is not liable as a carrier if he receives the goods, but is ordered not to ship them pending further instructions from the consignor. In such case he remains a mere bailee, or perhaps a warehouseman, until the voyage actually begins. The carrier's liability ends when he gives notice of the arrival of the goods and has afforded the consignee a reasonable opportunity to remove them. He may go farther and stipulate in the bill of lading to terminate his responsibility as carrier immediately upon the putting of the goods ashore.