In its ruling of 8 February 2017, the Higher Regional Court of Saarbrücken dealt with the question of in which cases the shipper is liable for damage to the truck with which the carrier is transporting the goods.
Facts of the case:
The carrier had been commissioned as a subcontractor to transport eleven metal sheets weighing over 6 tonnes within Germany. At the loading point, the metal sheets were loaded onto the lorry standing upright on anti-slip mats and secured there by the driver with five lashing straps. When the carrier expressed his concerns about the method of transport, the sender explained that the sheets had already been transported in this way several times before without any damage occurring. During the transport, the metal sheets toppled over and damaged the body and tarpaulin of the lorry. As a result of the accident, the carrier was unable to continue transporting the goods. The carrier demanded compensation from its client and explained that the overturning of the metal sheets was due to a lack of packaging in conjunction with improper loading of the goods. The client was liable for the resulting damage, regardless of fault. There had been no extraordinary driving manoeuvres that would have exposed the transported goods to particular forces.
Obligations of the shipper and carrier during loading
Responsibility for transports within Germany is regulated in § 412 sec. 1 German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch), hereinafter HGB. According to this, the sender is generally responsible for loading of the cargo. The sender must load the freight in such a way that it is protected from external influences during transport and that the carrier does not suffer any damage. Loading includes placing the transported goods on the lorry trailer and securing it safely. If the lorry is damaged during transport due to improper loading, load securing and/or packaging, the carrier may be entitled to claim reimbursement of the necessary repair costs, replacement vehicle costs and lost freight during the necessary repair time from the sender.
The carrier, on the other hand, has a duty of so-called safe loading. This means that the carrier must ensure that the operational safety and thus also the road safety of the lorry are not impaired by the way in which it is loaded.
Possible contributory negligence of the carrier in the event of loading by the shipper
A contributory negligence of the carrier is possible according to § 414 sec. 2 HGB if it is recognisable to the driver during loading that the goods are not properly packed by the sender and that damage to the load is possible during the execution of the transport. In such cases, the driver must obtain instructions from the customer. If he fails to obtain instructions from the customer, he shall be partly responsible in the event of damage.
Responsibility for proper packaging
The sender is responsible for the proper packaging of the transported goods. In accordance with § 414 sec. 2 HGB, he is liable for any damage and expenses incurred by the carrier due to improper packaging, even if he is not at fault. Packaging that is safe for transport in accordance with § 411 sentence 1 HGB requires that the goods must be packaged if they can only be transported in a packaged condition using the means of transport provided in accordance with the contract, and that the packaging in this case must ensure that foreseeable transport influences such as typical vibrations, centrifugal forces in tight curves, braking effects and the movement of the goods on the means of transport cannot have a damaging effect on the goods themselves or on the carrier’s means of transport.
Cancellation of liability
The carrier is not liable if the sender insists on carrying out the transport despite clear warnings and the driver’s concerns are allayed by assuring the safety of the transport.
Decision of the court
The main carrier, who does not execute a contract of carriage himself, but commissions another carrier, the sub-carrier, to do so in his own name and for his own account, concludes an independent (sub) contract of carriage with the latter. He is the sender within the meaning of § 407 HGB because he is the contractual partner of the (sub-) carrier.
The sub-carrier is only entitled to claims under $ 414 HGB against its shipper, i.e. the main carrier, and not against the original shipper.
The decisive factor for joint responsibility of the carrier in accordance with § 414 sec. 2 HGB is whether the carrier recognises that the goods are not packed safely for transport or operation, or whether the risk of damage occurring is readily apparent to him in the circumstances. If he recognises or becomes aware of the packaging defect, he must notify the sender in order to give him the opportunity to issue instructions (§ 418 HGB).
Since the carrier in the case had communicated his concerns and had obtained instructions from the shipper, i.e. the main carrier, he was able to claim compensation for the damage caused to the lorry. The carrier is not liable under § 425 HGB if the sender insists on starting the journey despite clear warnings.
Recommendations and information
We recommend that both carriers and forwarders familiarise themselves with the provisions of the HGB so that they are fully aware of their rights and obligations. As the case shows, a brief explanation can lead to a reversal of liability and thus to the liability of the company.
Grau Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB advises and represents freight forwarders and carriers, as well as transport and liablity insurers from Germany and abroad in the area of transport law.
If you have any further questions, please contact our law firm on +49 (0) 40 180 364 020 or office@graulaw.eu.