Explanatory note

This Order extends to the territories specified in Schedule 1, with the necessary adaptations, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971, which gives effect to the International Convention for the Unification of certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading signed at Brussels on 25th August 1924 (Cmd. 3806), as amended by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 23rd February 1968 (Cmnd. 6944) (“the Hague-Visby Rules”).

The Order also extends to those territories the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1981 which amend the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971 and those other provisions of the 1981 Act which give effect to the Protocol signed at Brussels on 21st December 1979 (Cmnd. 7969) amending the Hague-Visby Rules. The Protocol substitutes special drawing rights for gold francs as the unit of account to be used in connection with the Rules.

The provisions of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971 and the Merchant Shipping Act 1981 will come into force on the day appointed by the High Commissioner, Governor or Civil Commissioner as the case may be.