Source: https://www.bws.net/en/conditions/sea-freight
Timestamp: 2018-10-21 06:12:24
Document Index: 222944634

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 13', 'art 13', '§251', '§320', 'art 14', '§321', '§400']

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Sea Freight Conditions
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The basis for iniform and international rules for carriage of goods by sea was created back in 1924 through the adoption the Haag Rules.
These rules were further improved into the Haag-Visby Rules in 1968. Today the rules are considered the most frequently applied legal bases for the worlds most important trading and shipping nations. Subsequently, an updating and increase of shopowners liability were attempted through a UN adoption of the Hamburg Rules in 1978. These ruler were, however, only acceded to by a few countries.
The latest attempt was made through the Rotterdam Convention in 2008, which opens for yet another increased shipowners liability and not least the possibility of agreementsregarding multimodal transport solutions which include carriage of goods by sea.
The hope is that these new rules will be strongly supported by the important nation USA among others.
Most countries have, to a greater or lesser extent, incorporated elements from these different conventions into their own body of legislation so that any disagreement shall be solvedon the bases of the relevant countries adoption or non-adoption of the different rules.
The Merchant Shipping Act (applying to Denmark)
The Merchant Shipping Act is based on the Haag-Visby Convention of 1968, which was adopted by Denmark on 20 November 1975. The latest convention, the Hamburg Conventionof 1978, was not adopted by Denmark, but the rules are incorporated in the present Merchant Shipping Act in so far as it is possible out of consideration for the Haag-Visby Convention.
Special reference is made to the Merchant Shipping Act, part 13+14 regarding liability for goods.
Paragraph 4: Contracts
Part 13: Regarding carriage of goods §251-§320
Part 14: Regarding charter of ships §321-§400
The 'United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea' - or 'Rotterdam Rules' - was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 11 December 2008.
Although most European states are parties to the Hague-Visby Rules, it should be noted that there are a significant number of countries, such as the USA, which are party to the more restrictive unamended Hague Rules.
The Hague-Visby Rules apply to any bill of lading or similar document of title relating to the carriage of goods between ports in different states, if the bill of lading is issued in a contracting state; or the carriage is from a port in a contracting state; or the contract expressly provides that the Rules shall govern. The carrier must issue a bill of lading which shows details the condition and either number of packages, or the weight, or the quantity of the goods. The exporter is responsible for giving accurate particulars of the goods; packing the goods properly and making claims within set limits. The sea carrier must properly and carefully load, handle, stow, carry and discharge the goods. However, the carrier can deny liability in the event of fire; perils, dangers and accidents of the sea; strikes and inherent vice, etc.
Compensation is calculated in relation to the value of the goods at the time and place at which the goods are, or should have been, discharged from the ship. The shipper can opt to be compensated either on a per package (providing the number of packages is stated on the bill of lading), or per kg of gross weight basis. Compensation is fixed per package or per kg.
Hague Rules of 1924
The Hague Rules represented the first attempt by the international community to find a workable and uniform means of dealing with the problem of shipowners regularly excluding themselves from all liability for loss or damage of cargo. The objective of the Hague Rules has to establish a minimum mandatory liability of carriers which could be derogated from.
Under the Hague Rules the shipper bears the cost of lost/damaged goods if they cannot prove that the vessel was unseaworthy, improperly manned or unable to safely transport and preserve the cargo, i.e. the carrier can avoid liability for risks resulting from human errors provided they exercise due diligence and their vessel is properly manned and seaworthy. These provisions have frequently been the subject of discussion between shipowners and cargo interests on whether they provide an appropriate balance in liability.
The Hague Rules form the basis of national legislation in almost all of the world's major trading nations, and probably cover more than 90 per cent of world trade. The Hague Rules have been updated by two protocols, but neither addressed the basic liability provisions, which remain unchanged.