Part V The Obligations of the Carrier, 27 The Carrier’s Obligations under the Hague, Hague-Visby, and Rotterdam Rules

Abstract

This chapter examines the carrier’s obligations under the Hague, Hague-Visby, and Rotterdam Rules. These include the issue of bills of lading, seaworthiness, and care of cargo. Article III, rule 3 of the Hague and Hague-Visby Rules provides that: ‘After receiving the goods into his charge the carrier or the master or agent of the carrier shall, on demand of the shipper, issue to the shipper a bill of lading’. Article III, rule 1 of the Hague and Hague-Visby Rules states that: ‘The carrier shall be bound before and at the beginning of the voyage to exercise due diligence to (a) make the ship seaworthy; (b) properly man, equip and supply the ship; (c) and make the holds, refrigerating and cool chambers, and all other parts of the ship in which goods are carried, fit and safe for their reception, carriage and preservation’. Meanwhile, article III, rule 2 states that: ‘Subject to the provisions of Article IV, the carrier shall properly and carefully load, handle, stow, carry, keep, care for and discharge the goods delivered’.