Authored by: Lakshmi Narasimhan

INTRODUCTION

Multimodal transportation of goods is the transportation of goods (under a single contract between a consignor and a carrier) from one place to another through at least two (2) modes of transportation. Carriers engaged in the business of freight forwarding may employ a combination of the various means of transportation available (including by way of roadways, waterways, airways, transport by rail etc.) to ensure that goods which are sought to be transported by a consignor to a consignee involve minimal costs and reach at faster speeds. MTOs may also act as clearing agents (licensed under the Customs Act, 1962) who also assist in the import and export of goods across jurisdictions after obtaining due qualifications, approvals and licenses (as applicable) under the Customs Act, 1962 and the rules and regulations thereunder.

This article seeks to give an overview of certain fundamental legal aspects governing multimodal carriage of goods, registration of multimodal transport operators, other laws governing the carriage of goods and a peek into prospective regulatory evolution.

LAWS GOVERNING MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES

OVERVIEW:

In India, Multimodal Transport Operators are governed by the Multimodal Transportation of Goods Act, 1993 (“MMTG Act