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ARTICLE · 12 OCTOBER 2009

HFW Shipping Bulletin - September, 2009

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23 September 2009 marks the opening for signature of the Rotterdam Rules, the latest attempt at harmonisation and unification of the current patchwork of cargo regimes encompassed predominantly in the Hague/Hague-Visby and Hamburg Rules.

United KingdomTransport

The Rotterdam Rules - Deadline Day
By Craig Neame

23 September 2009 marks the opening for signature of the Rotterdam Rules, the latest attempt at harmonisation and unification of the current patchwork of cargo regimes encompassed predominantly in the Hague/Hague-Visby and Hamburg Rules. The ratification/adoption of 20 states is required before the Rules become law and it remains to be seen whether, unlike their Hamburg predecessors, the Rules will indeed attract universal acceptance. A decision on whether the UK will sign and ratify the Rules will be the subject of a full consultation exercise scheduled to be published early next year.

The vast scope of the Rules and potential impact on the carriage of goods both inland and by sea (at least in terms of teething problems in their implementation) promises a continued and forceful debate amongst the various stakeholders for months to come.

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