Professional Documents
Culture Documents
54
MEMORY AID IN COMMERCIAL LAW
TRANSPORTATION LAWS
CONTRACT OF TRANSPORTATION/ CARRIAGE
A contract whereby a person, natural or juridical,
obligates to transport persons, goods, or both, from
one place to another, by land, air or water, for a price
or compensation.
Classifications:
1. Common or Private
2. Goods or Passengers
3. For a fee (for hire) or Gratuitous
4. Land, Water/maritime, or Air
5. Domestic/inter-island/coastwise or
International/foreign
It is a relationship which is imbued with the public
interest.
COMMON CARRIER
Persons, corporations, firms or associations
engaged in the business of carrying or transporting
passengers or goods or both, by land, water, or air, for
compensation, offering their services to the public (Art.
1732, Civil Code).
Art. 1732 of the New Civil Code avoids any
distinction between one whose principal business
activity is the carrying of persons or goods or both and
one who does such carrying only as an ancillary
activity (sideline). It also avoids a distinction between
a person or enterprise offering transportation service
on a regular or scheduled basis and one offering such
service on an occasional, episodic or unscheduled
basis.
Neither does the law distinguish between a
carrier offering its services to the general public that is
the general community or population and one who
offers services or solicits business only from a narrow
segment of the general population.
A person or entity is a common carrier even if he
did not secure a Certificate of Public Convenience (De
Guzman vs. CA, 168 SCRA 612).
It makes no distinction as to the means of
transporting, as long as it is by land, water or air. It
does not provide that the transportation should be by
motor vehicle. (First Philippine Industrial Corporation
vs. CA)
One is a common carrier even if he has no fixed
and publicly known route, maintains no terminals, and
issues no tickets (Asia Lighterage Shipping, Inc. vs.
CA).
Characteristics:
1. Undertakes to carry for all people indifferently
and thus is liable for refusal without sufficient
reason (Lastimoso vs. Doliente, October 20,
1961);
2. Cannot lawfully decline to accept a particular
class of goods for carriage to the prejudice of
the traffic in these goods;
3. No monopoly is favored (Batangas Trans. vs.
Orlanes, 52 PHIL 455);
4. Provides public convenience.
PRIVATE CARRIER
One which, without being engaged in the business of
carrying as a public employment, undertakes to deliver
PRIVATE
CARRIER
1. As to availability
Holds himself out for all Contracts with particular
people indiscriminately
individuals or groups
only
2. As to required diligence
Extraordinary diligence Ordinary diligence is
is required
required
3. As to regulation
Subject
to
State Not subject to State
regulation
regulation
4. Stipulation limiting liability
Parties may not agree Parties may limit the
on limiting the carriers carriers
liability,
liability except when provided
it
is
not
provided by law
contrary to law, morals
or good customs
5. Exempting circumstance
Prove
extraordinary caso fortuito, Art. 1174
diligence and Art. 1733, NCC
NCC
6.Presumption of negligence
There is a presumption
of fault or negligence
No presumption of fault
or negligence
7.Governing law
Law on common carriers
Law on obligations and
contracts
GOVERNING LAWS
A. Domestic/inter-island/coastwise
Applicable to Land, Water, and Air transportation
1. Civil Code - primary
2. Code of Commerce (Arts. 349, 379, 573-734,
FOR ACTS OF
OTHER
PASSENGERS OR
STRANGERS
Art. 1763
CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS
Parties
1.
2.
3.
Common carrier
Shipper
Consignee
1.
2.
Common carrier
Passenger
Cause of liability
Delay in delivery, loss, destruction, or deterioration of
Death or injury to the passengers
the goods
Duration of liability
From the time the goods are unconditionally placed in
the possession of, and received by the carrier for
transportation until the same are delivered actually or
constructively by the carrier to the consignee or to the
person who has the right to receive them. (Art. 1736)
It remains in full force and effect even when they are
temporarily unloaded or stored in transit unless the
shipper or owner has made use of the right of stoppage
in transitu. (Art. 1737)
It continues to be operative even during the time the
goods are stored in a warehouse of the carrier at the
place of destination until the consignee has bee
advised of the arrival of the goods and has had
reasonable opportunity thereafter to remove them or
otherwise dispose of them. (Art. 1738)
Delivery of goods to the custom authorities is not
delivery to the consignee. (Lu Do v. Binamira, 101 Phil
120)
Ordinary
circumstance:
Exercise
of
1. Exercise of extraordinary diligence (Art.
extraordinary diligence (Art. 1735)
1756)
Special circumstances:
2. Caso fortuito
a. Flood, storm, earthquake, lighting, or
other natural disaster or calamity (plus
force majeure)
b. Act of the public enemy in war,
whether international or civil
c. Act or omission of the shipper or the
owner of goods
d. The character of the goods or defects
in the packing or in the containers
e. Order or act of competent public
authority (Art. 1734)
Valid stipulations
Void stipulations
2. That carrier will not be liable for any loss,
destruction or deterioration of the goods;
Dispensing with or lessening the extraordinary
3. That the carrier need not observe any diligence responsibility of a common carrier for the safety of
in the custody of the goods;
passengers imposed by law by stipulation, by posting
4. That the carrier shall exercise a degree of of notices, by statements on tickets or otherwise. (Art.
diligence less than that of a good father of a family 1757)
over the movable transported;
5. That the carrier shall not be responsible for the
acts or omissions of his or its employees;
6. That the carriers liability for acts committed by
thieves or robbers who do not act with grave or
irresistible threat, violence or force is dispensed with
or diminished;
7. That the carrier is not responsible for the loss,
Inc.)
However, the carrier cannot limit its liability for injury
to, or loss of, goods shipped where such injury or loss
was caused by its own negligence.
(Shewaram vs. PAL, 17 SCRA 606)
SPECIAL RULES ON LIABILITES OF AIRLINE
CARRIERS
1. In case of flight diversion due to bad weather or
other circumstances beyond the pilots control, the
relation between the carrier and the passenger
continues until the latter has been landed at the port of
destination and has left the carriers premises. The
carrier should necessarily exercise extraordinary
diligence in safeguarding the comfort, convenience
and safety of its stranded passengers until they have
reached their final destination. (Philippine Airlines vs.
CA, 226 SCRA 423)
2. Even where overbooking of passengers is allowed
as a commercial practice, the airline company would
still be guilty of bad faith and still be liable for damages
if it did not properly inform passenger that it could
breach the contract of carriage even if they were
confirmed passengers. (Zalamea vs. CA, 228 SCRA
23)
3. An open-dated ticket constitutes a complete
contract between the carrier and passenger. Hence,
the airline company is liable if it refused to confirm a
passengers flight reservation. (Singson vs. CA, 282
SCRA 149)
4. An airline company which issued a confirmed ticket
to a passenger covering successive trips on different
airlines can be held liable for damages occasioned by
bumping off by one of the successive airlines.
(Lufthansa German Airlines vs. CA, 238 SCRA 290)
5. An airline ticket providing that carriage by
successive air carriers is to be regarded as a single
operation is to make the issuing carrier liable for the
tortuous conduct of the other carrier. A printed
provision in the ticket limiting liability only to its own
conduct is not enough to rebut that liability. (KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines vs. CA, 65 SCRA 237)
II. CODE OF COMMERCE
A.
OVERLAND TRANSPORTATION
(Arts. 349-379)
Applicability
1. Domestic land and water/maritime transportation.
(Pandect of Commercial Law and Jurisprudence,
Justice Jose Vitug, 1997 ed.)
2. Domestic Air Transportation. (Commercial Law
Review, Cesar Villanueva, 2004 ed.)
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS:
1. Bill of lading
2. Obligations of the carrier
3. Right of abandonment
4. Notice of damage
5. Combined carrier agreement
BILL OF LADING
No stipulation
1. Within a reasonable
time.
2. Carrier is bound to
forward them in the 1st
shipment of the same or
similar goods which he
may make to the point of
delivery.
(ART.
358
Code of Commerce)
Effects of delay
a. Merely suspends and generally does not
terminate the contract of carriage
b. Carrier remains duty bound to exercise
extraordinary diligence
c. Natural disaster shall not free the carrier from
responsibility (Art.1740)
d. If delay is without just cause, the contract limiting
the common carriers liability cannot be availed of in
case of loss or deterioration of the goods (Art.1747)
RIGHT OF CONSIGNEE TO ABANDON GOODS
Instances:
1. Partial non-delivery, where the goods are useless
without the others (Art. 363);
2. Goods are rendered useless for sale or
consumption for the purposes for which they are
properly destined (Art. 365); and
3. In case of delay through the fault of the carrier
(Art. 371).
NOTICE OF DAMAGE (ART. 366)
Requisites for applicability:
1. Domestic/inter-island/coastwise transportation
2. Land/water/air transportation
3. Carriage of goods
4. Goods shipped are damaged
Rules:
a. Patent damage: shipper must file a claim against
the carrier immediately upon delivery (it may be
oral or written)
b. Latent damage: shipper should file a claim against
the carrier within 24 hours from delivery.
Note: These rules does not apply to misdelivery of
goods. (Roldan vs. Lim Ponzo)
Purpose of notice: To inform the carrier that the
shipment has been damaged, and it is charged with
liability therefore, and to give it an opportunity to make
an investigation and fix responsibility while the matter
is fresh.
The filing of notice of claim is a condition precedent
for recovery.
Shorter period may be stipulated by the parties
because it merely affects the shippers remedy and
does not affect the liability of the carrier. (PHILAMGEN
vs. Sweetlines, Inc.)
Prescriptive Period
Not provided by Article 366. Thus, in such absence,
Civil Code rules on prescription apply.
If despite the notice of claim, the carrier refuses to
pay, action must be filed in court.
1. No bill of lading was issued: within
6 years
2. Bill of lading was issued: within 10
years.
ARTICLE 366
COGSA Sec.3 (6)
Applicability
1.
Domestic/inter- 1. International/
island/coastwise
overseas/foreign (from
transportation
foreign
country
to
2.
Land, water, air Phils.)
transportation
Note: subject to the rule
3. Carriage of goods
on Paramount Clause
2. Water/maritime
transportation
3. Carriage of goods
Notice of damage
1. Condition precedent
1. Not a condition
2. 24-hour period for
precedent
claiming latent damage
2. 3-day period for
claiming latent damage
Prescriptive period
None provided; Civil One year from the date
Code applies.
of delivery (delivered
but damaged goods), or
date when the vessel
left port or from the
date of delivery to the
arrastre (non-delivery
or loss).
COMBINED CARRIER AGREEMENT (ART. 373)
GENERAL RULE: In case of a contract of
transportation of several legs, each carrier is
responsible for its particular leg in the contract.
EXCEPTION: A combined carrier agreement where
a carrier makes itself liable assuming the obligations
and acquiring as well the rights and causes of action of
those which preceded it.
A.
MARITIME COMMERCE
(Arts. 573-869)
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS:
1. Merchant vessel
2. Maritime lien and Preference of Credit
3. Doctrine of limited liability
4. Causes of revocation of voyage
5. Participants in maritime commerce
6. Charter party
7. Loans on bottomry and respondentia
8. Accidents in maritime commerce
MARITIME/ADMIRALTY LAW
It is the system of laws which particularly relates to
the affairs and business of the sea, to ships, their
crews and navigation, and to maritime conveyance of
persons and property. (Notes and Cases on the Law
on Transportation and Public Utilities, Aquino &
Hernando, citing Francisco, p.254)
Maritime laws apply only to maritime trade and sea
voyages. (Pandect of Commercial Law and
Jurisprudence, Justice Jose Vitug, 1997 ed.)
Arrastre service is not maritime in character. It
refers to a contract for the unloading of goods from a
vessel. (ICTSI vs. Prudential Guarantee, 320 SCRA
244)
CHARACTERISTICS OF MARITIME TRANSACTION
1. Real - similar to transactions over real property with
respect to effectivity against third persons which is
done through registration. (Rubiso vs. Rivera, 37 Phil.
72). The evidence of real nature is shown by: 1) the
limitation of the liability of the agents to the actual
value of the vessel and the freight money; and 2) the
right to retain the cargo and embargo and detention of
the vessel (Luzon Stevedoring Corp v. CA, 156 SCRA
169);
2. Hypothecary - the liability of the owner of the value
of the vessel is limited to the vessel itself (Doctrine of
Limited Liability).
The real and hypothecary nature of maritime law
simply means that the liability of the carrier in
connection with losses related to maritime contracts is
confined to the vessel, which stands as the guaranty
for their settlement. (Aboitiz Shipping Corp. vs.
General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corp. 217
SCRA 359).
MERCHANT VESSEL
Vessel engaged in maritime commerce, whether
foreign or otherwise. (Bar Review Materials in
Commercial Law, Jorge Miravite, 2002 ed.)
Constitutes property which may be acquired and
transferred by any of the means recognized by law.
They shall continue to be considered as personal
property. (Arts. 573, 585)
They are susceptible to maritime liens such as for
the repair, equipping and provisioning of the vessel in
the preparation of a voyage, as well as mortgage
liabilities, in satisfaction of which a vessel may be
validly arrested and sold. (Ship Mortgage Decree of
1978)
MARITIME LIEN
It constitutes a present right of property in the ship, a
jus in re, to be afterward enforced in admiralty by
process in rem. (PNB vs. CA, 337 SCRA 381)
If the maritime lien arose prior to the recording of a
preferred mortgage, it shall have priority over the said
mortgage lien. (PNB vs. CA, 337 SCRA 381)
ORDER OF PREFERENCE IN CASE OF SALE OF
VESSEL
R.A. 6106
P.D. 1521
Effectivity date
1969
1978
Applicability
Overseas shipping only
Both domestic and
overseas shipping
Kind of sale
Judicial
Judicial and
extrajudicial
Order of Preference
A preferred mortgage The preferred mortgage
shall have priority over lien shall have priority
all claims against the over all claims against
vessel,
except
the the vessel, except the
following preferences in
the order stated:
1. Judicial costs of the
proceedings;
2. Taxes due the
Philippine Government;
3. Salaries and wages
of the Captain and
Crew of the vessel
during its last voyage;
4. General average or
salvage
including
contract
salvage,
bottomry loans, and
indemnity due shippers
for the value of goods
transported but which
were not delivered to
the consignee;
5. Costs of repair and
equipment
of
the
vessel,
and
provisioning of food,
supplies and fuel during
its last voyage; and
6. Preferred mortgages
registered prior in time.
following preferences in
the order stated:
1. Expenses and fees
allowed
and
costs
taxed by the court and
taxes due to the
Government;
2. Crews wages;
3. General average;
4. Salvage, including
contract salvage;
5. Maritime liens arising
prior in time to the
recording
of
the
preferred mortgage;
6. Damages arising out
of tort; and
7. Preferred mortgage
registered prior in time.
6.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Engineers
Officers of the vessel but have no authority except in
matters referring to the motor apparatus. When two or
more are hired, one of them shall be the chief
engineer.
Duties:
1. In charge of the motor apparatus, spare
parts, and other instruments pertaining to
the engines;
2. Keep the engines and boilers in good
condition;
3. Not to change or repair the engine without
authority of the captain;
4. Inform the captain of any damage to the
motor apparatus;
5. Keep an Engine Book;
6. Supervise all personnel maintaining the
engine. (Art. 632)
Crew
The aggregate of seamen who man a ship, or the
ships company.
Hired by the ship agent, where he is present and in
his absence, the captain hires them, preferring
Filipinos, and in their absence, he may take in
foreigners, but not exceeding 1/5 of the crew. (Art.
634)
Classes of Seamans Contracts
1. By the voyage;
2. By the month; and
3. By share of profits or freightage.
Just Causes for the Discharge of Seaman While
Contract Subsists
1. Perpetration of a crime;
2. Repeated insubordination, want of discipline;
3. Repeated incapacity and negligence;
4. Habitual drunkenness;
5. Physical incapacity;
6. Desertion. (Art. 637)
Rules in case of Death of a Seaman
The seamans heirs are entitled to payment as
follows:
1. If death is natural:
a. compensation up to time of death if engaged
on wage
b. if by voyage - half of amount if death occurs
on voyage out; and full, if on voyage in
c. if by shares - none, if before departure; full,
if after departure
2. if death is due to defense of vessel - full payment;
3. if captured in defense of vessel - full payment;
4. if captured due to carelessness - wages up to the
date of the capture. (Art. 645)
Complement of the Vessel
a fixed price.
A contract by which an entire ship, or some principal
part thereof is let/leased by the owner to another
person for a specified time or use. (Planters Products,
Inc. vs. CA, 226 SCRA 476)
Parties:
1. Ship owner or ship agent
2. Charterer
Classes:
1. Bareboat or demise The charterer provides crew,
food and fuel. The charterer is liable as if he were the
owner, except when the cause arises from the
unworthiness of the vessel. The shipowner leases to
the charterer the whole vessel, transferring to the latter
the entire command, possession and consequent
control over the vessels navigation, including the
master and the crew, who thereby become the
charters servants. It transforms a common carrier into
a private carrier.
The charterer becomes the owner of the
vessel pro hac vice, just for that one particular
purpose only. Because the charterer is treated
as owner pro hac vice, the charterer assumes the
customary rights and liabilities of the shipowner to
third persons and is held liable for the expense of
the voyage and the wages of the seamen.
2. Contract of Affreightment A contract whereby the
owner of the vessel leases part or all of its space to
haul goods for others.
The shipowner retains the possession,
command and navigation of the ship, the
charterer merely having use of the space in the
vessel in return for his payment of the charter
hired.
Kinds:
a. Time charter vessel is chartered for a fixed
period of time or duration of voyage.
b. Voyage or trip charter the vessel is leased
for one or series of voyages usually for
purposes of transporting goods for charterer.
LEASE
If for a definite period,
lessee cannot give up
the lease by paying a
portion of the amount
agreed upon.
If the leased property is
sold to one who knows
of the existence of the
lease, the new owner
must respect the lease.
Civil law concept
CHARTER PARTY
An entire or complete
contract.
Consensual contract
CHARTER PARTY
Charterer may rescind
charter party by paying
half of the freightage
agreed upon.
The new owner is not
compelled to respect the
charter party so long as
he can load the vessel
with his own cargo. (Art.
689)
Commercial law concept
BILL OF LADING
More like a private
receipt
which
the
captain gives to accredit
goods received from
persons
Real contract
BAREBOAT OR
DEMISE CHARTER
Charterer
becomes
liable to others caused
by its negligence
Charterer regarded as
owner pro hac vice for
the voyage
Owner
of
vessel
relinquishes possession,
command
and
navigation to charterer
Common
converted
carrier.
carrier
is
to private
CONTRACT OF
AFFREIGHTMENT
(TIME OR VOYAGE
CHARTER)
Owner remains liable as
carrier and must answer
for any breach of duty
Charterer
is
not
regarded as owner.
The
vessel
owner
retains
possession,
command
and
navigation of the ship
Common carrier is not
converted to a private
carrier.
Clause paramount or
paramount clause
A stipulation in a charter
party that in case of a
maritime accident for
which the shipowner is
not responsible by law,
contract or otherwise,
the
cargo
shippers,
consignees or owners
shall contribute with the
shipowner in general
average. (Pandect of
Commercial Law and
Jurisprudence, Justice
Jose Vitug, 1997 ed.)
A clause in a charter
party providing that the
COGSA shall apply,
even
though
the
transportation
is
domestic, subject to the
extent that any term of
the bill of lading is
repugnant
to
the
COGSA or applicable
law, then to the extent
thereof the provision of
the bill of lading is void.
(Pandect of Commercial
Law and Jurisprudence,
Justice Jose Vitug, 1997
ed.)
CHARTERER
1. To pay the agreed
charter price;
2. To pay freightage
on unboarded cargo;
3. To pay losses to
others
for
loading
uncontracted cargo and
illicit cargo;
4. To wait if the
vessel needs repair;
5. To pay expenses
for deviation. (Arts.
679-687)
Fortuitous
causes
(Art. 690)
1. War or
interdiction of
commerce;
2. Blockade;
3. Prohibition
to receive
tonnage
or
flag;
3. Failure to
place
the
vessel at the
charterers
disposal;
4. Return of
the vessel due
to
pirates,
enemies
or
bad weather;
5. Arrival at a
port for repairs.
alongside the
vessel;
2. Sale by the
owner of the
vessel before
loading by the
charterer;
cargo;
4. Embargo;
and
5. Inability of
the vessel to
navigate.
Terms:
1. Primage - bonus to be paid to the captain after
the successful voyage.
2. Demurrage the sum fixed in the charter party as
a remuneration to the owner of the ship for the
detention of his vessel beyond the number of
days allowed by the charter party for loading or
unloading or for sailing.
3. Deadfreight the amount paid by or recoverable
from a charterer of a ship for the portion of the
ships capacity the latter contracted for but failed
to occupy.
4. Lay Days - days allowed to charter parties for
loading and unloading the cargo.
5. Extra Lay Days days which follow after the lay
days have elapsed.
USUAL FORMS OF CONSUMMATING CONTRACTS
1. C.I.F. cost, insurance and freight;
2. F.O.B. - free on board;
3. F.A.S. - free alongside ship; and
4. C. & F. - cost and freight.
TRANSSHIPMENT OF GOODS
The act of taking cargo out of one ship and loading it
in another, or the transfer of goods from the vessel
stipulated in the contract of affreightment to another
vessel before the place of destination named in the
contract has been reached, or the transfer for further
transportation from one ship or conveyance to another.
It is not dependent on the ownership of the
transporting ships or in the change of carriers, but
rather on the fact of actual physical transfer of cargo
from one vessel to another.
If done without legal excuse, however competent
and safe the vessel into which the transfer is made, is
a violation of contract and infringement of right of
shipper and subjects carrier to liability if freight is lost
event by cause otherwise excepted. (Magellan
Manufacturing vs. CA, 201 SCRA 102)
LOAN ON BOTTOMRY AND RESPONDENTIA
A real, unilateral, aleatory contract, by virtue of
which one person lends to another a certain amount of
money or goods on things exposed to maritime risks,
which amount, with its earnings, is to be returned if the
things are safely transported, and which is lost if the
latter are lost.
LOAN ON
BOTTOMRY
LOAN ON
RESPONDENTIA
Definition
Loan
made
by Loan taken on security
shipowner
or
ship of the cargo laden on a
agent guaranteed by vessel, and repayable
vessel
itself
and upon safe arrival of
repayable upon arrival cargo at destination.
of vessel at destination. (Art. 719)
(Art. 719)
Who may contract
Shipowner
or
ship Only the owner of the
agent. Outside of the cargo.
residence
of
the
owners - the captain.
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Common elements:
Exposure of security to marine peril;
Obligation of the debtor conditioned only
upon safe arrival of the security at the point
of destination.
Forms:
Public instrument
Policy signed by the contracting parties and
the broker taking part therein
Private instrument (Art. 720)
Contents:
Kind, name and registry of the vessel;
Name, surname and domicile of the captain;
Names, surnames and domiciles of the
borrower and the lender;
Amount of the loan and the premium
stipulated;
Time for repayment;
Goods pledged to secure repayment;
Voyage during which the risk is run (Art.721)
BOTTOMRY/
RESPONDENTIA
ORDINARY LOAN
(MUTUUM)
3.
LOAN ON
BOTTOMRY OR
RESPONDENTIA
Indemnity is paid in
advance by way of
a loan
In case of loss of
the vessel due to a
marine peril, the
obligation of the
borrower to pay is
extinguished
Real contract
PARTICULAR OR
GROSS OR GENERAL
SIMPLE
Definition
Damages or expenses Damages or expenses
caused to the vessel or deliberately caused in
cargo that did not inure order to save the
to the common benefit, vessel, its cargo or both
and borne by respective from real and known
owners. (Art. 809)
risk. (Art. 811)
Requisites
1. common danger;
2. deliberate
sacrifice;
3. success;
4. proper formalities
and legal steps.
Liability
The owner of the goods All the persons having
which gave rise to the an interest in the vessel
expense or suffered the and the cargo therein at
damage shall bear this the
time
of
the
average. (Art. 810)
occurrence
of
the
average shall contribute
to satisfy this average.
(Art. 812)
The
insurers
(Art.859) and lenders
on
bottomry
and
respondentia
shall
likewise
contribute.
(Art.732).
Number of interests involved
Only
one
interest Several
interests
involved
involved
Share in the damage or expense
100% share
In proportion to the
value of the owners
property saved
Right to recover
No reimbursement
There
may
be
reimbursement
Kinds (not exclusive)
Art. 809
Art. 811
Procedure for recovery
1. Assembly
and
deliberation
2. Resolution of the
captain
3. Entry
of
the
resolution
in
the
logbook
4. Detailed minutes
5. Delivery
of
the
minutes to the maritime
judicial authority of the
first port, within 24
hours from arrival,
6. Ratification
by
captain under oath.
(Arts. 813-814)
GOODS NOT COVERED BY GENERAL AVERAGE
EVEN IF SACRIFICED
1. Goods carried on deck. (ART.855)
2. Goods not recorded in the books or records
of the vessel. (ART.855 (2))
3. Fuel for the vessel if there is more than
sufficient fuel for the voyage. (Rule IX,
York-Antwerp Rule)
Jettison
Act of throwing cargo overboard in order to lighten
the vessel.
Order of goods to be cast overboard:
1. Those which are on the deck, preferring the
heaviest one with the least utility and value;
2. Those which are below the upper deck,
beginning with the one with greatest weight
and smallest value. (Art. 815)
Jettisoned goods are not res nullius nor deemed
abandoned within the meaning of civil law so as to be
the object of occupation by salvage. (Pandect of
Commercial Law and Jurisprudence, Justice Jose
Vitug, 1997 ed.)
In order that the jettisoned goods may be included
in the gross or general average, the existence of the
cargo on board should be proven by means of the bill
of lading. (Art. 816)
York-Antwerp (Y-A) Rules on Determining Liability
for Averages With Regard To Deck Cargo
1. Deck
cargo
is
allowed
only
in
domestic/coastwise/inter-island shipping, and is
prohibited in international/overseas/foreign shipping.
2. If deck cargo is loaded with the consent of the
shipper on overseas trade, it must always contribute to
general average, but should the same be jettisoned, it
would not be entitled to reimbursement because there
is violation of the Y-A Rules.
3. If deck cargo is loaded with the consent of the
shipper on coastwise shipping, it must always
INTERNATIONAL
Deck cargo is not
allowed
With shippers consent
General average
Particular average
Without shippers consent
Captain is liable
Captain is liable
When
unlawful
Who
bears
expenses:
The inability to
continue
voyage is due
to
lack
of
provisions,
well-founded
fear of seizure,
privateers,
pirates,
or
accidents
of
the
sea
disabling it to
navigate. (Art.
819)
1. Lack
of
provisions due
to negligence to
carry according
to usage and
customs;
2. Risk
of
enemy not well
known
or
manifest
3. Defect of
vessel due to
improper repair;
and
4. Malice,
negligence,
lack of foresight
or
skill
of
captain.
(Art.
820)
The shipowner
or ship agent is
liable in case of
unlawful arrival
under stress.
But they shall
not be liable for
the damages
caused
by
reason of a
lawful arrival.
(Art. 821)
5.
COLLISION
Impact of two vessels both of which are moving.
Allision
Impact between a moving vessel and a stationary
one.
Nautical Rules to Determine Negligence
1. When two vessels are about to enter a port, the
farther one must allow the nearer to enter first; if
they collide, the fault is presumed to be imputable
to the one who arrived later, unless it can be
proved that there was no fault on its part.
2. When two vessels meet, the smaller should give
the right of way to the larger one.
3. A vessel leaving port should leave the way clear
for another which may be entering the same port.
4. The vessel which leaves later is presumed to
have collided against one which has left earlier.
5. There is a presumption against the vessel which
sets sail in the night.
6. There is a presumption against the vessel with
spread sails which collides with another which is
at anchor and cannot move, even when the crew
of the latter has received word to lift anchor, when
there was not sufficient time to do so or there was
fear of a greater damage or other legitimate
reason.
7. There is a presumption against an improperly
moored vessel.
8. There is a presumption against a vessel which
has no buoys to indicate the location of its
anchors to prevent damage to vessels which may
approach it.
9. Vessels must have proper look-outs or persons
trained as such and who have no other duty aside
therefrom. (Smith Bell v. CA)
Nautical Rules as to Sailing Vessel and Steamship
1. Where a steamship and a sailing vessel are
approaching each other from opposite directions,
or on intersecting lines, the steamship from the
moment the sailing vessel is seen, shall watch
with the highest diligence her course and
movements so as to be able to adopt such timely
means of precaution as will necessarily prevent
the two boats from coming in contact.
2. The sailing vessel is required to keep her course
unless the circumstances require otherwise.
Zones of Time in the Collision of Vessels
1. First zone all time up to the moment when risk of
collision begins.
No rule is as yet applicable for none is necessary.
2. Second zone time between moment when risk of
collision begins and moment it becomes a practical
certainty.
It is in this period where conduct of the vessels is
primordial. It is in this zone that vessels must strictly
observe nautical rules, unless a departure therefrom
PRESCRIPTIVE PERIOD
Action for loss or damage to the cargo should be
brought within one year after:
a. Delivery of the goods (delivered but
damaged goods); or
b. The date when the goods should have been
delivered (non-delivery). (Sec. 3[6])
CONTAINERIZATION/
SAID-TO-CONTAIN/
SHIPPERS LOAD AND COUNT SYSTEM
System whereby the shipper loads his cargoes in a
specially designed container, seals the container and
delivers it to the carrier for transportation. The carrier
does not participate in the counting of the merchandise
for loading into the container, the actual loading, and
the sealing of the container. (US Lines v. Comm. Of
Customs, ICTSI v. Prudential Guarantee)
The matter of quantity, description and conditions of
the cargo inside the container is the sole responsibility
of the shipper, unless there is stipulation to the
contrary. (US Lines vs. Comm. Of Customs, Reyma
Brokerage v. Phil. Home Assurance)
BAGGAGE
CHECK
Checked-in
baggage
AIR WAYBILL
Goods to be
shipped
2. Checked-in baggage
GENERAL RULE: $20 per kilogram
EXCEPTION: In case of special declaration of value
and payment of a supplementary sum by consignor,
carrier is liable to not more than the declared sum
unless it proves the sum is greater than actual value.
3. Hand-carried baggage
$1000/passenger
4. Goods to be shipped
GENERAL RULE: $20 per kilogram
EXCEPTION: In case of special declaration of value
and payment of a supplementary sum by consignor,
carrier is liable to not more than the declared sum
unless it proves the sum is greater than actual value.
An agreement relieving the carrier from liability or
fixing a lower limit is null and void. (Art. 23)
Carrier is not entitled to the foregoing limit if the
damage is caused by willful misconduct or default on
its part. (Art. 25)
Thus, the WC does not operate as an exclusive
enumeration of the instances of an absolute limit of the
extent of liability. It does not preclude the application
of the Civil Code and other pertinent local laws. It
does not regulate or exclude liability for other breaches
of contract by the carrier, or misconduct of its
employees, or for some particular or exceptional type
of damage. (Alitalia vs. CA)
In PanAm v. IAC, the WC was applied as regards
the limitation on the carriers liability, there being a
simple loss of baggage without any improper conduct
on the part of the officials or employees of the airline
or other special injury sustained by the passenger.
In KLM Royal v. Tuller, the WC has invariably been
held inapplicable, or as not restrictive of the carriers
liability, where there was satisfactory evidence of
malice or bad faith attributable to its officers and
employees. (Alitalia vs. IAC)
2. Prescriptive period
Action must be filed within 2 years from:
a. date of arrival at the destination
b. date of expected arrival
c. date on which the transportation stopped.
(Art. 29)
In United Airlines vs. Uy the two-year prescriptive
period was not applied where the airline employed
delaying tactics.
RULE IN CASE OF VARIOUS SUCCESSIVE
CARRIERS
1. Carriage of passengers
GENERAL RULE: Action is filed only against the
carrier in which the accident or delay occurred.
EXCEPTION: Agreement or contract whereby the
first carrier assumed liability for the whole journey.
2. Carriage of baggage or goods
a. Passenger or consignor can file an action
against the first carrier and the carrier in
which the damage occurred
b. Passenger or consignee can file an action
against the last carrier and the carrier in
which the damage occurred.
These carriers are jointly and severally liable.
(Art. 30)
A contract of international carriage by air, although
performed by different carriers under a series of airline
tickets constitutes a single operation. Members of the
International Air Transportation Association (IATA) are
under a general pool partnership agreement wherein
they act as agent of each other in the issuance of
tickets to contracted passengers to boost ticket sales
worldwide and at the same time provide passengers
easy access to airlines which are otherwise
inaccessible in some parts of the world. (American
Airlines vs. CA)
Under a general pool partnership agreement, the
ticket-issuing airline is the principal in a contract of
carriage while the endorsee-airline is the agent. The
obligation of the former remained and did not cease
even when the breach occurred not on its own flight
but on that of another airline which had undertaken to
carry the passengers to one of their destinations.
(China Airlines vs. Chiok)
JURISDICTION
At the option of the plaintiff, the action for damages
may be filed in the:
a. Court of domicile of the carrier;
b. Court of its principal place of business;
c. Court where it has a place of business
through which the contract has been made; or
d. Court of the place of destination. (Art. 28(1))
NOTE: It is the passengers ultimate destination not
an agreed stopping place that determines the country
where suit is to be filed.
The forum of action provided in Art. 28(1) is a
matter of jurisdiction rather than of venue. (Santos III
vs. Northwest; 2A C.J.S.)
V. SALVAGE LAW (Act No. 2616)
SALVAGE
Two concepts:
1. Services one person renders to the owner of a
ship or goods, by his own labor, preserving the goods
or the ship which the owner or those entrusted with the
care of them have either abandoned in distress at sea,
or are unable to protect or secure.
2. Compensation allowed to persons by whose
voluntary assistance a ship at sea or her cargo or both
have been saved in whole or in part from impending
sea peril, or such property recovered from actual peril
or loss, as in cases of shipwreck, derelict or recapture.
Requisites:
1. Valid object of salvage;
2. Object must have been exposed to marine
peril (not perils of the ship);
3. Services rendered voluntarily (neither an
existing duty nor out of a pre-existing
contract);
4. Services are successful, total or partial.
Subjects of Salvage:
1. Ship itself;
2. Jetsam goods which are cast into the sea, and
there sink and remain under water;
3. Floatsam or Flotsam goods which float upon the
sea when cast overboard;
4. Ligan or Lagan goods cast into the sea tied to a
buoy, so that they may be found again by the owners
(p.173, Judge Diaz).
Persons who have no right to a reward for
salvage:
1. Crew of the vessel saved;
2. Person who commenced Salvage in spite of
opposition of the Captain or his representative;
3. In accordance with Sec. 3 of the Salvage Law, a
person who fails to deliver a salvaged vessel or cargo
to the Collector of Customs.
Derelict a ship or her cargo which is abandoned
and deserted at sea by those who are in charge of it,
without any hope of recovering it, or without any
intention of returning to it.
The intention of those in charge must be
ascertained. If those in charge left with the intention of
returning, or of procuring assistance, the property is
not derelict, but if they quitted the property with the
intention of finally leaving it, it is derelict and a change
of their intention and an attempt to return will not
change its nature (Erlanger & Galinger vs. Swedish
East Asiatic Co. Ltd.).
If it is clear that the intention to return is slight, the
salvage which was done thereafter is considered valid.
(Notes and Cases on the Law on Transportation and
Public Utilities, Aquino, T. & Hernando, R.P. 2004 ed.
p. 616)
CONTRACT OF TOWAGE
A contract whereby one vessel, usually motorized,
pulls another, whether loaded or not with merchandise,
from one place to another, for a compensation. It is a
contract for services rather than a contract of carriage.
SALVAGE
TOWAGE
Governed by special
law (Act No. 2616)
Governed
by
Civil
Code on contract of
lease
Requires success,
otherwise no payment
Success
required
Vessel must be
involved in an accident
Fees distributed
among crewmen
is
not
CERTIFICATE
OF
PUBLIC
CONVENIENCE AND
NECESSITY (CPCN)
An
authorization
issued
by
the
appropriate
government agency for
the operation of public
services for which no
franchise,
either
municipal
or
legislative, is required
by law, e.g., common
carriers.
An authorization
issued
by
the
appropriate
government agency for
the operation of public
service for which a
prior
franchise
is
required by law; e.g.
telephone and other
services.
POWERS
REQUIRING PRIOR
NOTICE AND
HEARING
POWERS
EXERCISABLE
WITHOUT PRIOR
NOTICE AND
HEARING
1. Issuance of CPC
or CPCN;
2. Fixing of rates,
tolls, and charges;
3. Setting up of
standards
and
classifications;
4. Establishment of
rules
to
secure
accuracy of all meters
and all measuring
appliances;
5. Issuance
of
orders
requiring
establishment
or
maintenance
of
extension of facilities;
6. Revocation, or
modification of CPC
or CPCN;
7. Suspension of CPC
or CPCN, except
when it is necessary
to avoid serious and
irreparable damage or
inconvenience to the
public
or
private
interest,
in
which
case, a suspension
not more than 30
days may be ordered,
prior to the hearing.
(Soriano v. Medina,
1. Investigation any
matter
concerning
public service;
2. Requiring
operators to furnish
safe, adequate, and
proper service;
3. Requiring
public
services
to
pay
expenses
of
investigation;
4. Valuation
of
properties of public
utilities;
5. Examination and
test
of
measuring
appliances;
6. Grant of special
permits to make extra
or special trips in
territories specified in
the certificate;
7. Uniform
accounting system and
furnishing of annual
reports;
8. Compelling
compliance with the
laws and regulations.
3.
4.
5.