Law of carriage of goods by sea

The law of carriage of goods by sea is a body of law that governs the rights and duties of shippers, carriers and consignees of marine cargo.[1]

Primarily concerned with cargo claims, this body of law combines the international commercial law, the law of the sea and admiralty laws.

The typical obligations of a carrier by sea to a shipper of cargo are:

  • to provide a seaworthy ship
  • to issue a bill of lading
  • to "properly and carefully load, handle, stow, carry, keep, care for, and discharge the goods carried".[2]
  • to proceed with "reasonable despatch"[3]
  • to follow the agreed route (and not to deviate from it).[4][5]
  1. ^ The Law of Carriage of Goods by Sea (2011) - L.Singh
  2. ^ Hague-Visby Rules Art III rule 2.
  3. ^ M’Andrew v Adams (1834) 1 Bing NC 29
  4. ^ Glynn v Margetson
  5. ^ Hague-Visby Rules Art IV rule 4.