The law of carriage of goods by sea is a body of law that governs the rights and duties of shippers carriers and consignees of marine cargo primarily concerned with cargo claims this body of law is an aspect of international commercial law and maritime law the typical obligations of a carrier by sea to a shipper of cargo are to provide a seaworthy ship to issue a bill of lading to properly and carefully load handle stow carry keep care for and discharge the goods carried to proceed. The carriage of goods by sea act is a united states statute governing the rights and responsibilities between shippers of cargo and ship owners regarding ocean shipments to and from the united states it is the us enactment of the international convention regarding bills of lading commonly known as the hague rules it was found in title 46 appendix of the united states code starting at section 1301 but has been moved to a note in 46 united states code 30701 the united states congress co. Carriage of goods by sea laws0241 this module offers an in depth study of the two main forms of contract of carriage namely charter parties and bills of lading english law enjoys a long standing predominance in the international shipping market as it is frequently chosen by the parties to govern their contracts of carriage. this bill of lading so far as it relates to the carriage of goods by water shall have effect subject to the provisions of the carriage of goods by sea act of the united states approved april 16 1936 which shall be deemed to be incorporated herein and nothing herein contained shall be deemed a surrender by the carrier of any of its rights or immunities or an increase of any of its responsibilities or liabilities under said act