Main contents:

(1) Brief Introduction to Road Transportation

(2) Types of Road Transport

(3) CMR (Convention de Merchandises Par Routes)

(4) TOFC and COFC

7.2.1 Brief Introduction to Road Transportation

 Roads are the most convenient way of transporting goods. 便利

 Truck operations are characterized by low fixed and high variable costs. 

低固定成本，高可变成本

 Motor carriers more efficiently handle small shipments moving short distances.

小运量，短距离运输效率高

7.2.2 Types of Road Transport

(1) Scheduled Operators (定期运输服务提供商)

(2) Chartered Operators (租车运输服务提供商)

(3) Own Account Operators (自用运输)

(4) Freight Forwarder (汽车货运代理)

(1) Scheduled Operators (定期运输提供商)

major operation modes include: 

1) it operates at regular schedule and regular route regardless of the cargo 

固定路线上按固定时间表

2) vehicles are spread out at regular routes without regular schedules 

固定路线上没有固定的时间表

3) vehicles are spread out at fixed areas 

在固定区域内根据货载需要

(2) Chartered Operators (租车运输)

 having no fixed time schedules or even designated routes

没有固定的时间表也没有指定的运输路线

 the shipper may charter the entire vehicle between specific points

按照运输契约运送货物

(3) Own Account Operators (自用运输)

 the corporations undertake their own in-house, or own account, transport service.

企业拥有自己的运输服务

 Customer service and economic factors are frequently the reasons. 

通常是出于顾客服务和经济性方面的考虑

(4) Freight Forwarder (汽车货运代理)

• the forwarder contracts to make all the arrangements for the client. 

代理依合同为客户做好安排，将货物运至别处

• It may also include use of rail, storage and distribution functions.

其中可能包含提供铁路运输，仓储及配送服务。

7.2.3 CMR (Convention de Merchandises Par Routes)

 It is the convention on contract for international carriage of goods by road 

  国际公路货物运输合同公约

 was adopted in 1956 and governs international transport of goods by road.  1956年被采用

 The CMR convention has been ratified only by countries in Europe.  仅被欧洲国家认可

 road transport outside Europe is governed by national laws and ordinances which vary from country to country.  其他各国规定不同

Responsibility and relief of liability for the carrier：

Under CMR, the carrier is responsible for:

① The acts and omissions of their agents and servants. 代理人和受雇人不作为

② Loss of or damage to the goods occurring between the time they take over and delivery as well as for any delay in delivery. 

从接管到交付期间的货损

The carrier is relieved of liability due to:

① wrong act or neglect of the consignor 发货人过失

② Inherent vice of the goods; and circumstances which they could not avoid. 货物缺陷，不可预见情况

• The carrier shall not be relieved of liability by reason of the defective condition of vehicle, or by reason of the wrong act or neglect of the person

7.2.4 TOFC and COFC

 TOFC and COFC services offer the economy of rail or water movements combined with the flexibility of trucking. 

  提供水路、铁路和汽车运输的联运

 Truck trailers or containers are delivered to the rail terminals. They are off-loaded and deliver to the consignee. 

  拖车或集装箱直接放到火车平板，到达目的地分离，交付给收货人。

TOFC and COFC