The new Rotterdam Rules: An overwiew on the main differences with the international regulations in force on carriage of goods by sea

Abstract

This new instrument, that will enter into force once it has been ratified by at least twenty States, deals with the international carriage of goods and is closely connected with the international trade. International transport law is currently regulated by two main international Conventions, the Hague Rules and the Hamburg Rules. Many countries have adopted the Hague Rules as amended by two Protocols, respectively adopted in Brussels on 1968 (the Hague Visby Rules – 30 contracting States) and on 1979 (the Special Drawing Rights Protocol – 25 contracting States). Some other Countries apply a sort of mix system between these Conventions. As we can see, actually the field of maritime transport law is not at all internationally unified, eventhough the Hague and the Hague-Visby Rules are, at this stage, the more common rules applied by the shipowners of the Western countries.