论承运人免责事由之船舶潜在缺陷
On the Exemption of Carriers for Latent Defects in Ships

文章深入探讨了船舶潜在缺陷作为承运人免责事由的相关法律问题。首先，明确了船舶潜在缺陷的定义，即那些即使由熟练技术人员在常规检查和详尽检查后也难以察觉的瑕疵，并比较了不同法律体系下对“潜在”一词的判定标准。进一步探讨了船舶潜在缺陷免责的适用条件与限制，指出承运人需证明潜在缺陷的存在及其与货物损失之间的因果关系，并讨论了“谨慎处理”的认定标准。同时，指出当前法律实践中存在的举证责任分配问题，并提出了完善船舶潜在缺陷免责适用规则的建议，包括明确承运人适航义务与船舶潜在缺陷免责的关系，以及完善多因致损案件下损失赔偿分摊制度。在当前全球经济环境下，对船舶潜在缺陷免责事由进行系统化理论研究的重要性。这不仅有助于保护承运人的合法权益，促进海上运输行业的稳健发展，还能为航运市场的复苏和健康发展提供有力的法律支撑。
This article delves into the legal issues surrounding the exemption of carriers for latent defects in ships. Firstly, it clarifies the definition of latent defects in ships, namely, flaws that are difficult to detect even by skilled technicians after routine and thorough inspections, and compares the criteria for determining the term “latent” across different legal systems. It further explores the applicable conditions and limitations of exemption for latent defects in ships, pointing out that carriers need to prove the existence of latent defects and their causal relationship with cargo loss, and discusses the criteria for determining “due diligence”. Meanwhile, it highlights the issues of allocation of the burden of proof in current legal practice and proposes suggestions for improving the rules applicable to exemption for latent defects in ships, including clarifying the relationship between the carrier’s obligation of seaworthiness and exemption for latent defects, as well as enhancing the system for allocating loss compensation in cases involving multiple causes of damage. In the current global economic environment, the systematic theoretical study of the exemption for latent defects in ships is of great importance. It not only helps protect the legitimate rights and interests of carriers and promotes the robust development of the maritime transport industry but also provides strong legal support for the recovery and healthy development of the shipping market.