Overview
Maritime shipping contracts carry specific provisions determining carrier liability for cargo loss or damage during transport, and this liability differs based on the type of bill of lading used and its terms.
Maritime shipping disputes need careful assessment of the timing and cause of the damage, since carrier liability differs based on whether damage resulted from their own negligence or circumstances beyond their control.
Regulatory Basis
These matters fall under the Maritime Law and its implementing regulations, which set out carrier and shipper obligations and each party's liability for transported goods.
How We Handle Maritime Matters
We carefully review the bill of lading and its terms to determine the scope of carrier liability, before assessing any party's position in a dispute related to cargo loss or damage.
Who Needs This Service
A shipping company needing maritime transport contracts drafted that clearly define each party's obligations and liability.
A company that suffered loss or damage to cargo during maritime shipping that needs their position assessed for a compensation claim.
We notice that some shipping companies rely on a standard bill of lading without tailoring its terms to the nature of the actual cargo transported, treating a time-sensitive perishable shipment the same as an ordinary shipment not sensitive to timing, which weakens the carrier's position when a damage dispute arises if the original document doesn't reflect the actual risks associated with that specific type of cargo.
Additional Considerations
These contracts connect with the customs side under our customs, import and export service.
For cargo loss disputes requiring judicial escalation, we coordinate with our litigation and advocacy team.
Common Questions
When is the maritime carrier liable for cargo loss?
This depends on the cause of loss and the bill of lading terms, and we review this carefully to determine the extent of carrier liability in each case.
Do you also review vessel charter agreements?
Yes, we review these agreements and help structure their terms to protect the interest of the party we represent.