Reassessing the Hague-Visby Rules in 2025: Modernising Maritime Liability

Assessment Brief: MARL702 — Carriage of Goods by Sea Law (2025)

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Module: Carriage of Goods by Sea Law
Level: 7 (Postgraduate)
Weighting: 50% of module grade
Submission: Turnitin via Moodle, Due: 8 April 2025, 23:59 (UK time)
Word Count: 3,000 words (±10%)
Type: Individual written assignment (Research-based analysis)
Learning Outcomes Assessed:

1. Critically evaluate the role and interpretation of key international conventions governing carriage of goods by sea.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of rights, liabilities, and obligations under common law and statutory regimes.

3. Apply legal reasoning to contemporary disputes in maritime transport contracts.

4. Engage with current legal scholarship and international maritime case law.

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Assessment Task

“Critically assess the continuing relevance of the Hague-Visby Rules in governing carriage of goods by sea, considering modern commercial realities and the potential for reform under the Rotterdam Rules.”

Your analysis should include:

• A critical review of the historical development of the Hague, Hague-Visby, Hamburg, and Rotterdam Rules.

• Discussion of carrier liability regimes and shipper obligations under contemporary contracts of carriage (e.g., bills of lading, charterparties).

• Evaluation of current judicial interpretations in UK and international case law.

• Consideration of electronic documentation, digital bills of lading, and emerging regulatory challenges.

• Recommendations for how maritime law should adapt to technological and sustainability trends.

Assessment Criteria:

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Submission Guidance

• Include a title page with your student number and module code.

• Use Harvard referencing throughout.

• Maintain academic tone and avoid descriptive narration.

• Late submissions capped at 50% (per university policy).

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 References 

1. Baatz, Y. (2023). The Carriage of Goods by Sea. 4th ed. Routledge.

2. Goldby, M. and Mistelis, L. (2021). Electronic Documents in Maritime Trade: Law and Practice. Routledge.

3. Girvin, S. D. (2020). Carriage of Goods by Sea. 4th ed. Oxford University Press.

4. Tsimplis, M. N. (2019). “The Rotterdam Rules: Progress or Regress?” Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce, 50(3), pp. 371–400.

5. Wang, H. (2022). “Digitalisation and Legal Challenges in Bills of Lading.” Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly, (1), pp. 25–47.