Javier Portales’ intervention in the panel on “The new regulations on the Spanish Shipping Act” focused on the liability regime in maritime transport, where Javier highlighted the change this Act has supposed in the harmonization, development and modernization of the maritime transport legal framework.

Even though its publication is quite recent and that it might be too soon to assess its efficiency in its practical application, it is beyond dispute that the Act provides legal coverage to maritime carriage.

Javier Portales stressed several positive aspects of the Spanish Shipping Act, among others:

– Freedom of contract between the ship-owner and charterer.

– Unification of both domestic and international regimes by applying the Hague-Visby Rules.

– Limitation of liability for delay in the delivery of goods, which was not contemplated in previous regulations.

It is vital, therefore, from this moment on, to adjust the documentation and transport contracts to the new Spanish Shipping Act.