Multimodal Transport: The Global Roadmap of Network Liability System and Uniform Liability System 多式联运：网状责任制与统一责任制的全球路线图
When a shipment of Chinese photovoltaic modules travels from a Suzhou factory to Shanghai Port by road, then by sea to Rotterdam, and finally by rail to Berlin, Germany, this cross-modal journey is a classic example of international multimodal transport. It seamlessly connects different transport modes, greatly improving logistics efficiency, but also raises a thorny legal question: if cargo is lost or damaged en route and the specific segment where the loss occurred cannot be determined, how is liability determined?
This introduces two core liability systems in multimodal transport: the Network Liability System and the Uniform Liability System. The Network Liability System is the most widely applied model. It acts like a “net,” breaking multimodal transport into distinct segments, with liability for each governed by its specific transport convention. For example, the maritime segment applies the Hague Rules, the rail segment applies the CIM, and the road segment applies the CMR. While this system offers clear liability and compatibility with existing legal frameworks, its drawback is evident: determining liability becomes extremely complex if loss occurs in a “hidden segment” (e.g., during container transfer at a depot).
The Uniform Liability System seeks to break these segmental barriers, stipulating that multimodal transport operators (MTOs) bear uniform liability for the entire journey, with the same set of rules applying regardless of where the loss occurs. The United Nations Convention on International Multimodal Transport of Goods adopts this model, prescribing “complete fault liability” for MTOs and setting uniform liability limits. This simplifies liability determination and protects cargo owners but, due to the significant increase in MTO risk, has not been ratified by major shipping nations to date.
In 2022, a shipment of medical devices from Shenzhen to Amsterdam went missing during multimodal transport. Unable to determine if the loss occurred at sea or on rail, the cargo owner and MTO engaged in lengthy legal disputes. The court ultimately applied the contractually agreed Network Liability System, presuming the loss occurred during the maritime segment and adjudicated under the Hague Rules. This case vividly demonstrates the practical impact of the two liability systems and reminds us that when selecting multimodal transport services, we must carefully review liability clauses in contracts to clarify risk allocation.
当一批中国的光伏组件从苏州工厂出发，先通过公路运至上海港，再海运至鹿特丹，最后经铁路运往德国柏林，这趟跨越海陆的旅程，就是典型的国际多式联运。它将不同的运输方式无缝衔接，极大地提高了物流效率，但也带来了一个棘手的法律问题：当货物在运输途中发生损失，且无法确定损失发生的具体区段时，责任该如何认定？
这就引出了多式联运领域的两大核心责任制度：网状责任制（Network Liability System）与统一责任制（Uniform Liability System）。网状责任制是目前应用最广泛的模式，它像一张“网”，将多式联运拆解为不同的运输区段，每个区段的责任适用其专属的运输公约。比如，海运区段适用《海牙规则》，铁路区段适用《国际货协》，公路区段适用《国际公路货物运输合同公约》。这种模式的优点是责任清晰，与现有法律体系兼容，但缺点也很明显：一旦损失发生在“隐藏区段”（如集装箱在堆场转运时），责任认定就会变得异常复杂。
统一责任制则试图打破这种区段壁垒，规定多式联运经营人对全程运输承担统一的责任，无论损失发生在哪个区段，都适用同一套责任规则。联合国《国际货物多式联运公约》就采用了这种模式，它规定了经营人的“完全过失责任”，并设定了统一的赔偿限额。这种模式简化了责任认定，保护了货主权益，但因大幅增加了经营人的风险，至今未被主要航运国家批准生效。
2022年，一批从深圳运往阿姆斯特丹的医疗器械在多式联运途中丢失，由于无法确定丢失发生在海运还是铁路区段，货主与多式联运经营人陷入了漫长的法律纠纷。最终，法院依据合同约定的网状责任制，推定损失发生在海运区段，适用《海牙规则》进行了裁决。这一案例生动地展示了两种责任制度的现实影响，也提醒我们，在选择多式联运服务时，必须仔细审查合同中的责任条款，明确风险归属。
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Suzhou Victory Textile Co., Ltd. （苏州维特瑞纺织有限公司）is located in Changshu city(belongs to Suzhou District) Jiangsu,China. 80 Kilometers away from Shanghai Port.
Our team has been working in textile over 18 years.Our mainly products are Tie dyed Fabric,Velour/Velvet,Quilt Fabric,Jacquard Fabric,Single Jersey, Pique,Rib Fabric,Bird Eyes/Mesh Fabric, Interlock, French Terry/Fleece, Polar Fleece, Coral Fleece, Flannel Fleece, PV Plush, Sherpa Fleece,Coarse Needle Fabric etc Fabrics.
Compositions include Polyester,Cotton,Spandex/Lycra,Nylon/Polyamide,Rayon/Viscose,Modal/Tencel,Bamboo,Arcylic,Soybean,Wool,Flax/Linen,etc.
Functional Fabric:Sportswear Fabric(Coolmax,Coolpass,Coolplus,X-dry,Cooldry,Feelcool Ice,Topcool,Sorona,Supplex etc.),Waterproof,Fireproof(Aramid,Polyimide),Heat(Thermolite),Antibiosis(Sanitized),Uvioresistant,Radiation-proof,Recycle,BCI,Organic,Pima/Supima etc Fabrics.
We also have invested a home textiles & garments factory where we move our fabrics to sew many kinds of Garments, blankets etc.
Our marketing team and QC department are checking all the day in every process and keep close contact with customers to make sure customer knows every stage of the production. All the fabrics and blankets are inspected by our QC before packaging and shipping. Also we can provide some certifications Such as Oeko-Tex standard 100, SGS, Intertek etc.
We have production capability 5000 tons of various type of fabrics annually.Our products are mainly transported to China, southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe and America etc.
Welcome to our company. We will highly appreciate any inquiry and question from you and respond asap.We believe you will enjoy one-stop service from us if you work together with us.