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International Trade Procedures and Documentation

Notes
Figure 10.13: Multimodal Transport Chain

The most far reaching impact of containerisation on the role of freight forwarders is their
involvement in multimodal transport, i.e. carriage of goods by more than one mode of transport
under a single contract. When a freight forwarder acts as a multimodal transport operator, he
assumes responsibility for the execution of the multimodal transport contract, and of the carriers
participating in the multimodal transport operations. He may enter into separate contracts with
individual transport operators and provides of services, but these subcontracts would not affect
his obligations to the consignor for the performance of the MMT contract and his liability to him
arising under the contract.

10.3.1 Documentations

In multimodal transport, a variety of documents and information needs to be exchanged between
shippers, transport companies and consignees as well as authorities, insurance companies, etc.
The need for communication and amount of information naturally increases with the number of
partners involved in the transport chain. The TCMS (Transport Chain Management System) was
developed to make this easier. TCMS (Transport Chain Management System) is a fully Web-
based system to be used to control a door-to-door transport where several transport modes are
involved. TCMS automates the exchange of information and documents needed for the
organization of multimodal transport in such a way that the user has no additional effort
compared to uni-modal transport. Obstacles to multimodal transport and logistics services
which may exist can be grouped into (a) infrastructure and technologies, (b) security and safety,
(c) facilitation, (d) legal aspects and (e) market access.

10.3.2 Liability of Carriers

Air Way bill evidences a contract which, as noted earlier, is governed by the Warsaw Convention.
The carrier is fully liable while cargo is in its charge, both at the airport as well as when the cargo
is being held for loading, delivery or transshipment. It is its contractual duty to carry cargo
safely and without delay by exercising due care and taking all necessary measures to avoid loss.

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