• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2008

According to the trend of a large-sized vessel and a industrial carrier, the role of the independent contractors such as transport terminal operators, stevedores and warehousemen is increasing the base of cargo distribution that include the function of storage, warehousing, loading, unloading, trimming, dunnaging and lashing. But the common law doctrine of privity of contract has been a perennial source of difficulty for litigants seeking to enforce rights and obligations arising under a bill of lading contract. When carriage contract is negotiated, the concerned parties will be aware that some portion of obligations arising from the contract will be performed by the independent contractors engaged to carry out a particular function. It is reasonable for the independent contractors to be allowed the benefit of the carrier under the contract of carriage. As a part of the alleviating measures for the liability of independent contractors has been allowed various schemes, specially including 'Himalaya Clause'. Therefore, this study performed the validity of 'Himalaya Clause' by means of a recent judicial precedent by the Supreme Court and analyzed the rights of third parties, specially transport terminal operators, under the contract of carriage.