Towards a more sustainable multimodal transport through effective contract management

Multimodal transport is considered to be sustainable. Legal uncertainties, however, put this at risk as legal costs will inevitably increase transaction costs and render transport unsustainable. This article uses a doctrinal and comparative approach to suggest bottom-up initiatives by means of contract management. It analyses the mandatorily applicable unimodal international Transport Conventions. Due to their nature and the absence of a multimodal transport convention, major legal uncertainties exist. The mandatory nature of the Transport Conventions complicates contractual arrangements. However, this article shows that room for contractual freedom exists. This should be used for sustainable contract management. The article emphasises crucial aspects of sustainable multimodal transport contract management. It will also critically discuss remaining obstacles, ie regarding court jurisdiction.