The contract of carriage

An explanation of the role the contract of carriage plays in cargo claims. Although claims can be brought in tort or bailment, the contract of carriage – usually in the form of a bill of lading – is the key legal document in most cargo claims. This chapter will summarise some of the law on the contract of carriage. It will review the sources of contract of carriage terms, with a brief discussion on the importance of the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules, including the way in which they are incorporated into contracts of carriage.