A Study On The Legal Problems Of Multi-modal Transport Document

As the development of container shipping, the position of multimodal transport in economy is more and more important. But the UN Convention on International Multi-modal Transport has not been into effect for long time, either could the UNTDC/ICC Regulations on Multi-modal Transport be applied compulsively, which impeded the International Multi-modal Transport greatly from developing. There are simple provisions for multi-modal transport in China Maritime Code and Contract Law, which is not perfect and need to be improved.The MTD (Multi-modal Transportation Document), takes an important role in this respect, but up to now, there is no effective international convention which could be applied to MTD compulsively, there are few studies on this area in China neither. The paper, beginning from the history and developing of the other transportation documents, analyzes and discusses deeply the function and character of MTD, with the contrast to the other transport documents; enumerate some popular MTD used now, compare the different clauses of these document, try to summarize the key point and character of all of clauses. The paper also analyzes the difference between MTD and Through Bill of Lading, introduce the special provisions in UCP500 for MTD; as to familiar trouble with MTD, the paper also gives the suggestion for solution and legislation advise.The author wishes that this paper could contribute to the perfection of the legal system of multi-modal transport document, also to the practice of multi-modal transportation.