This book deals with the carrier's liability for deck cargo in the Nordic countries and England
as state parties of the Hague-Visby Rules. The comparative method serves to illustrate two
widely differing methods of dealing with first the exclusion of certain deck cargo from the
scope of the Hague-Visby Rules and second where not excluded the Rules failure to include a
special deck cargo liability regime. Various solutions similar to the English or Nordic
approach or a combination of the two have also been adopted in a large number of other
jurisdictions. Taking into consideration the massive quantities of cargo that are carried on
deck today the subject is more topical than ever. The complexity of the problem stems from the
way in which the deck has over the years gradually become a common place to stow cargo. When
the Hague Rules were introduced in 1924 deck stowage was an absolute exception due to the
great risks involved. As such the topic must first be looked at in the context of the shipping
realities in which the Hague Rules were drafted and then in terms of today's shipping
realities. The comparative analysis leading up to the author's conclusions and general remarks
for future legislation consists of two parts the first dealing with the situations in which
the carrier is permitted to stow cargo on deck and the second with the carrier's liability for
deck cargo where he has stowed cargo on deck with or as the case may be without such
permission.
