SeetransportÜbereinkommen

The SeetransportÜbereinkommen, also known as the UN Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea, 1978, is an international convention adopted by the United Nations that governs the rights and responsibilities of carriers and shippers in international maritime transport. It aims to establish a uniform regime for the carriage of goods by sea, replacing the fragmented and often inconsistent national laws that previously governed such contracts.

The Convention primarily addresses issues such as the contract of carriage, the bill of lading, the liability of the carrier for loss of or damage to goods, and the rights of the consignee. It sets out specific rules regarding when the carrier is liable for damage and the limits of that liability. It also deals with matters like the time bar for claims and the jurisdiction of courts.

The SeetransportÜbereinkommen is intended to promote certainty and predictability in international trade by providing a clear legal framework for sea transport. However, its widespread adoption has been somewhat limited, with several major maritime nations not having ratified it. This has led to ongoing discussions and efforts to achieve broader acceptance or to develop alternative instruments that better reflect modern shipping practices and the concerns of various stakeholders. Despite its limited ratification, the Convention has had a significant influence on the development of maritime law and national legislation in many countries.