The Proposed Convention on International Multimodal Transport of Goods: A Progress Report

Abstract

The Growth of containerization and new transport technologies has encouraged widespread use of the international multimodal transport of goods. This development has given birth to the multimodal transport operator (MTO) who, contracting as a principal and not necessarily being a carrier, undertakes complete responsibility vis-à-vis a consignor for the transport of the consignor’s goods from the place of origin or acceptance situated in one country to the place of final destination or delivery situated in another country. The multimodal transport contract, which issui generis, provides for the MTO to furnish or procure transport on each stage of the transport, whether by air, inland waterway, sea, rail, or road. There will be no contractual relationship between the original consignor and the stage carriers or even non-carriers (for example, warehousemen) who will be subcontractors of the MTO.