fraktfører

Fraktfører is a Norwegian term for the party contracted to transport goods for hire. The fraktfører can be a trucking company, a shipping line, an airline, a railway operator, or a multimodal transporter. The carrier’s core role is to arrange and carry the goods from the sender to the recipient under a contract of carriage (fraktavtale). The fraktfører is expected to exercise due care in handling, loading, securing, and delivering the goods and to comply with applicable transport regulations, safety requirements, and documentary obligations.

Under the contract, the fraktfører issues a transport document and may provide receipts, waybills, or electronic notices that evidence the carriage. The carrier can subcontract parts of the journey to other carriers or agents, provided the terms of the carriage contract are met.

Liability for loss or damage to goods typically rests with the fraktfører during the carriage period, subject to the contract terms and applicable law. Liability may be limited and subject to exemptions or defenses, such as errors or actions by the shipper, inherent characteristics of the goods, or force majeure. Different transport modes have different regulatory regimes, and international shipments may also be governed by international conventions in addition to national rules.

The concept is central to logistics and supply chains in Norway and international trade. The specific rights and obligations of the fraktfører are defined by the carriage contract, the applicable law, and the regulatory framework for the relevant transport mode.