Rotterdam Rules
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you all for coming to the city of Rotterdam, Europe’s main transport hub. Rotterdam gives access to the European market by five transport modalities: sea, road, rail, inland waterways and pipelines. It is therefore a well-chosen place to sign a new multimodal transport treaty. Furthermore, Rotterdam is renowned for its ‘hands on’ approach, which is also reflected in the Rotterdam Rules.
As Minister of Justice of the Netherlands I strive for an attractive legal infrastructure for international business.
A well-functioning legal system offers business the certainty it needs. Entrepreneurs need to know what their potential risks and profits are, not only for themselves but also in order to attract investors and to get insurance cover.
Internationally harmonized law facilitates trade in general and transport of goods by sea specifically. Maritime transport is international at heart.
As you all well know, at the moment different international treaties and national laws apply to transport of goods by sea. This patchwork of regimes does not offer legal certainty. It is clear this situation is neither in the interest of carriers nor in the interest of cargo-owners.
The Rotterdam Rules offer a unique opportunity to harmonize, simplify and modernize the laws applicable to international transport of goods. This will make world trade more efficient in three ways:
- The Rotterdam Rules remove legal borders that up until now existed between transport by sea and transport over land. By being applicable from door-to-door the Rotterdam Rules follow today’s practice of container trade. The same international treaty being applicable through the whole chain of transport will decrease transaction costs.
- Furthermore, the Rotterdam Rules introduce electronic transport documents. This should speed up the transfer of goods.
- Finally, the Rotterdam Rules will put an end to the long-lasting legal disputes that the old treaties gave rise to, for example on the liability of third parties. This again will lower transaction costs.
As a whole, the Rotterdam Rules strike a fair balance between the various interests involved in transport of goods by sea. Therefore, the Netherlands will sign the Rotterdam Rules on Wednesday. Preparations for ratifying the treaty and amending our national law have already started. I am confident many countries will do the same.
In conclusion I wish you all an interesting colloquium and a pleasant stay in our main port.