Rotterdam Rules 2009

What has become known as "Rotterdam Rules" has the official title of:

United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea

This document is 39 pages long.

If you are involved in the actual transport of international shipments, it would be a good idea to read this document. It is not yet in effect, but probably will be in the not too distant future.

It was necessary for this agreement to be updated, to take into consideration the changes in international transportation due to containerization, which allows for, amongst other things, door to door delivery.

There is also a considerably amount of clarification regarding the bills of lading which are transmitted electronically.

Happy reading!

Rotterdam Rules

Rotterdam Rules is not the name of a soccer (football) team.

It's the name being given to a new set of rules covering liability, because the official name is "United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods".

At least that is what was reported in Lloyd's List.

I thought it use to be called .....Carriage of Goods by Sea, but the new rules are to incorporate intermodal movement, meaning, shipments which are delivered by sea and land combined.

I believe that was at issue, which is why the rules are being rewritten.

I haven't really read up on all the proposed changes, but will try to do so and give a thumbnail sketch of the old rules and the new rules.

It's pretty complicated, but maybe I can hit just the highlights...

This is one reason international shipping gets so complicated.

More later.