The Harmonization of Liability Regimes Concerning Loss of Goods During Multimodal Transport (original) (raw)

The terms “multimodal transport”, “combined transport”, “intermodal transport” are all used in the context of cargo movement from origin to destination. These terms have similar (although not the same) meaning, i.e. carriage of goods by more than one mode of transport through single fright contract. Containers enable transport of utilised cargo from its origin to its final destination, with a high level of efficiency and at least possible risk. Unfortunately, technical developments of multimodal carriage of goods are not supported by adequate legal framework. Despite various attempts that have been made in the past, there is no mandatory international convention governing multimodal carriage. The 1980 Multimodal Convention drawn by the UN has not come into force and is not likely to do so. All applicable international conventions are unimodal, i.e. applicable (in principle) only to specific mode of transport (sea, road, rail, air, inland waterways). Provisions contained in each of t...