Carrier\u27 s liability for nautical fault in the carriage of goods by sea

Abstract

U radu se obrađuje uloga nautičke pogreške kao specifičnog korektiva odgovornosti prijevoznika za štete na teretu koje su nastale djelovanjem zapovjednika, posade i ostalih osoba kojima se prijevoznik u svom poslovanju služi. Uz povijesne okolnosti koje su uvjetovale nastanak i razvoj načela o neodgovornosti prijevoznika za nautičku pogrešku, analizira se pravno uređenje ove važne egzoneracije prijevoznika kroz aktualne međunarodne konvencije s posebnim osvrtom na poteškoće u utvrđivanju granica odgovornosti. Iznose se suprotstavljeni stavovi koji su se pojavili u procesu preispitivanja opravdanosti ekskulpacije prijevoznika za nautičku pogrešku, osobito u radu na novoj međunarodnoj konvenciji. Naglašava se važnost što skorijeg usuglašavanja o ovom pitanju, koje se priželjkuje ne samo zbog postizanja pravne sigurnosti već i zbog usklađivanja prijevoza stvari morem s drugim granama prometa te nesmetanog daljnjeg razvoja pomorske plovidbe i trgovine.The paper deals with the nautical fault as a specific corrective of the sea carrier liability for damages on goods caused by the activities of the master, the crew and others of whom the sea carrier makes use in his activities. Beside the historical circumstances which caused the genesis and evolution of the nautical fault defence, the legal regulation is analyzed through the existing international conventions and with a special overview of difficulties in delimitation of carrier\u27s liability. Contrasting opinions that appeared during the process of reassessment of the justifiability of nautical fault existence are presented, especially the ones that emerged during the work on the new international convention. Importance of a prompt conciliation of experts in this matter is emphasized, coveted not only because of the achievement of legal security, but also because of the harmonization of the carriage of goods by sea with other sectors of transport as well as the future undisturbed development of nautical navigation and trade