ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the design, manufacture and through life survey, maintenance requirements and disposal requirements of the vessel. A carrier shall be at liberty to surrender in whole or in part all or any of his rights and immunities or to increase any of his responsibilities and obligations under the Rules, provided surrender or increase shall be embodied in the bill of lading issued to the shipper. The Hague Rules form an internationally recognised code adjusting the rights and duties existing between shipowners and those shipping goods under bills of lading. Provisions relating to the scope of application, the extent of carrier liability, the contents of transport documents and their effects on the responsibilities and liabilities of the contracting parties are different from those of the Hague Rules and Hague-Visby Rules. Under the H/V Rules both deck cargo and live animals fall outside their ambit thereby leaving the parties to the contract of carriage to negotiate its terms.
