Law of International Carriage of Goods by Sea
Most goods traded internationally are carried from the seller’s country to the buyer’s country by sea, either on liner vessels which travel on a regular route between ports, or on tramp vessels that ply from port to port searching for cargoes to carry. During the process of loading and unloading the goods, stowing them in the hold, or – in the case of containers – on the deck, and throughout their carriage by sea, much can go wrong. A container or package can be dropped by the crane loading it onto a ship. Fumes from a gaseous cargo such as coal or oil can build up in the hold of a ship and ultimately cause an explosion. The master of the ship might be a drunk and incompetent, or a member of the crew careless in disposing of a cigarette. A ship might sail into a port only to find itself trapped as a result of war, or be boarded by pirates who divert the vessel and steal the cargo. A massive ‘freak’ wave may be encountered in the middle of the ocean, causing the ship to sink within minutes (waves with such force were once considered to be just a myth, but recent scientific research has shown them to be a reality and of surprisingly common occurrence). Who is liable to whom, for what, in circumstances such as these?
This course, which examines the various types of contract for the carriage of goods by sea, will help you to answer these questions. It offers you the opportunity to study some fascinating, and at times complex, caselaw, as well as relevant international and domestic legislation, and to observe the gradual development of the legal principles over several centuries to their present state of high sophistication.