Hague-Visby Rules

The Hague-Visby Rules, a foundational framework in maritime law, outline the obligations, rights, and liabilities of carriers and shippers during the carriage of goods by sea. These provisions ensure a balance between protecting the interests of cargo owners and providing reasonable safeguards for carriers.

Below are the key provisions that define the Rules:

1. Obligations of the Carrier (Article III)

The Rules place strict responsibilities on carriers to ensure:

— Seaworthiness: The carrier must exercise due diligence to make the vessel seaworthy, properly manned, equipped, and supplied before the voyage begins.

— Cargo Handling: The carrier is responsible for the safe loading, handling, stowage, and discharge of goods.

— Care for Cargo: The carrier must take reasonable care to prevent damage to the goods during the transit.

❗️Failure to meet these obligations can make the carrier liable for cargo loss or damage.

2. Liability Exemptions (Article IV, Rule 2)

The Hague-Visby Rules provide carriers with specific defenses and exemptions from liability in certain cases, including:

— «Act of God»: Natural disasters or extraordinary events beyond human control.

— «Perils of the Sea«: Unexpected maritime dangers, such as storms or rough seas.

— Inherent Vice: Damage caused by the natural characteristics or defects of the goods themselves.

— Acts of War or Public Enemies.

— Negligence of the Shipper: When the loss or damage results from incorrect information or improper packaging provided by the shipper.

❗️These exemptions ensure carriers are not unfairly burdened by liabilities beyond their control.

3. Limitation of Liability (Article IV, Rule 5)

The Rules establish financial caps on a carrier’s liability for lost or damaged goods:

— 666.67 SDRs per package or unit, or

— 2 SDRs per kilogram of gross weight, whichever is higher.

❗️This limitation applies unless the shipper declares the value of the cargo in the Bill of Lading (ad valorem clause). However, the carrier loses this limitation if gross negligence or intentional misconduct is proven.

VOCABULARY:

Foundational framework — основополагающая система (механизм)
Maritime law — морское право
Obligations, rights, and liabilities — обязательства, права и ответственность
Carriage of goods by sea — перевозка грузов морем
Cargo owners — грузовладельцы
Safeguards for carriers — гарантии для перевозчиков
Seaworthiness — мореходность
Due diligence — должная осмотрительность
Properly manned, equipped, and supplied — надлежащим образом укомплектованное, оснащённое и снабжённое (судно)
Cargo handling — обработка груза
Safe loading, handling, stowage, and discharge — безопасная погрузка, обработка, укладка и выгрузка (груза)
Reasonable care — разумная осмотрительность (забота)
Cargo loss or damage — утрата или повреждение груза
Liability exemptions — освобождение от ответственности
Defenses — защита
«Act of God» — «непреодолимая сила», стихийное бедствие
Natural disasters — природные катастрофы
Extraordinary events — чрезвычайные события
«Perils of the Sea» — «опасности моря»
Inherent vice — «скрытый дефект» (естественные свойства груза)
Acts of War or Public Enemies — акты войны или действия врагов народа
Negligence of the Shipper — небрежность со стороны грузоотправителя
Incorrect information — некорректная информация
Improper packaging — ненадлежащая упаковка
Financial caps — финансовые ограничения
Lost or damaged goods — утраченные или поврежденные товары
SDRs (Special Drawing Rights) — СДР (специальные права заимствования)
Per package or unit — за упаковку или единицу груза
Gross weight — общий вес
Ad valorem clause — оговорка об объявленной стоимости
Gross negligence — грубая небрежность
Intentional misconduct — умышленное неправомерное поведение