The amended 1924 Hague Rules governing carrier liability for cargo under bills of lading, widely incorporated into national law.
In practice
For a chief officer responsible for cargo operations, the Hague-Visby Rules define the carrier's obligations and exceptions. The carrier is excused from liability for loss or damage caused by errors in navigation or management of the ship, by fire unless caused by the carrier's actual fault, or by perils of the sea. However, the carrier cannot contract out of the duty of seaworthiness, and this remains a non-delegable obligation.
Regulatory detail & full definition
The Hague-Visby Rules represent the most widely adopted international framework for the liability of sea carriers for loss of or damage to cargo. They derive from the original Hague Rules of 1924 and were updated by the Visby Protocol of 1968 and the SDR Protocol of 1979, which increased the monetary liability limits. The Rules impose on the carrier a duty to exercise due diligence to make the ship seaworthy, properly man and equip it, and make the holds fit for the safe reception and preservation of the cargo.
For a chief officer responsible for cargo operations, the Hague-Visby Rules define the carrier's obligations and exceptions. The carrier is excused from liability for loss or damage caused by errors in navigation or management of the ship, by fire unless caused by the carrier's actual fault, or by perils of the sea. However, the carrier cannot contract out of the duty of seaworthiness, and this remains a non-delegable obligation.
The Rules set minimum standards; parties may agree more favourable terms for the cargo owner. Bills of lading must contain the particulars specified in the Rules, and the carrier's liability per package or unit is subject to the SDR limits unless a higher value is declared. Officers issuing or clausing bills of lading must understand the consequences for the cargo claim that will follow if those documents are later disputed.