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Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo)

Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo)

CONTRATO DE TRANSPORTE MARITIMO

(Maritime Transport Contract)

CCo Arts. 1578-1656 -- Ley 1/1991

En [Sign City], a los [Sign Date], entre:

CARGADOR / REMITENTE:

[Shipper Name], NIT [Shipper NIT], representada por [Shipper Rep Name], con domicilio en [Shipper Address].

TRANSPORTADOR:

[Carrier Name], NIT [Carrier NIT], representada por [Carrier Rep Name], con domicilio en [Carrier Address]. Registro DIMAR: [Carrier DIMAR].

Quienes en adelante se denominaran "LAS PARTES", celebran el presente Contrato de Transporte Maritimo conforme a las siguientes clausulas:

PRIMERA. -- OBJETO

EL TRANSPORTADOR se obliga a transportar por via maritima la siguiente carga: [Cargo Description], con un peso estimado de [Cargo Weight], desde el puerto de embarque de [Port of Loading] hasta el puerto de descarga de [Port of Discharge], conforme a las condiciones establecidas en el presente contrato y las disposiciones del Codigo de Comercio (Titulo VIII -- Del Transporte Maritimo).

SEGUNDA. -- BUQUE Y PERIODO DE EMBARQUE

El transporte se realizara en el buque [Vessel Name] o buque sustituto de caracteristicas similares, sujeto a aprobacion del CARGADOR. El periodo de embarque sera: [Loading Period].

El buque debera contar con patente de navegacion vigente emitida por la DIMAR y cumplir con los requisitos de navegabilidad del Articulo 1599 del Codigo de Comercio y las normas SOLAS ratificadas por Colombia.

TERCERA. -- FLETE Y FORMA DE PAGO

El flete convenido es de [Freight Rate], pagadero en [Payment Currency].

Condiciones de pago: [Freight Payment].

Recargos adicionales: [Additional Charges].

Conforme al Articulo 1648 del Codigo de Comercio, EL TRANSPORTADOR tendra derecho de retencion sobre las mercancias por flete no pagado hasta tanto se cancele la totalidad del flete y recargos convenidos.

CUARTA. -- ESTADIAS Y SOBREESTADIAS

El tiempo de plancha (laytime) para las operaciones de carga y descarga sera de [Laytime Hours]. Transcurrido el tiempo de plancha sin que se hayan completado las operaciones, el CARGADOR o consignatario pagara sobreestadia (demurrage) a razon de [Demurrage Rate], conforme al Articulo 1617 del Codigo de Comercio.

Si las operaciones se completan antes del vencimiento del tiempo de plancha, EL TRANSPORTADOR pagara al CARGADOR un premio de despacho (dispatch money) de [Dispatch Rate].

QUINTA. -- OBLIGACIONES DEL TRANSPORTADOR

EL TRANSPORTADOR se obliga a: (a) proporcionar un buque en condiciones de navegabilidad conforme al Articulo 1599 del CCo; (b) recibir, estibar y asegurar la carga adecuadamente a bordo; (c) emitir el Conocimiento de Embarque conforme a los Articulos 1644 a 1646 del CCo; (d) transportar la carga por la ruta convenida o habitual con razonable diligencia; (e) entregar la carga en el puerto de destino en las mismas condiciones en que fue recibida; (f) notificar al consignatario la llegada del buque al puerto de descarga.

SEXTA. -- OBLIGACIONES DEL CARGADOR

EL CARGADOR se obliga a: (a) entregar la carga al TRANSPORTADOR en el puerto de embarque dentro del periodo convenido y en condiciones adecuadas para el transporte; (b) proporcionar informacion veraz sobre la naturaleza, peso, volumen y valor de la carga; (c) entregar toda la documentacion requerida por DIAN, DIMAR y demas autoridades (Declaracion de Exportacion, factura comercial, certificado de origen, permisos sanitarios ICA/INVIMA segun corresponda); (d) pagar el flete y recargos en los terminos convenidos.

SEPTIMA. -- RESPONSABILIDAD DEL TRANSPORTADOR

La responsabilidad del TRANSPORTADOR por perdida o dano de la carga se regira por: [Liability Regime]. El periodo de responsabilidad comprende desde el momento del embarque hasta la descarga en el puerto de destino (tackle-to-tackle), conforme al Articulo 1649 del Codigo de Comercio.

EL TRANSPORTADOR queda exonerado de responsabilidad en los casos previstos en el Articulo 1650 del CCo: fuerza mayor o caso fortuito, vicio propio de la mercancia, culpa del cargador, incendio no imputable al transportador, y actos de autoridad publica.

Las reclamaciones por perdida o dano deben presentarse por escrito dentro del plazo de un (1) ano conforme al Articulo 1655 del CCo.

OCTAVA. -- SEGURO

Seguro de carga requerido: [Insurance Required].

Detalles del seguro: [Insurance Details].

NOVENA. -- FUERZA MAYOR

Ninguna de las partes sera responsable por el incumplimiento de sus obligaciones cuando dicho incumplimiento sea consecuencia de fuerza mayor o caso fortuito conforme al Articulo 64 del Codigo Civil, incluyendo pero no limitandose a: fenomenos naturales, guerras, bloqueos navales, huelgas portuarias, actos de pirateria, restricciones gubernamentales, pandemias, o cualquier otro evento imprevisible e irresistible. La parte afectada notificara a la otra por escrito dentro de las cuarenta y ocho (48) horas siguientes al evento.

DECIMA. -- LEY APLICABLE Y RESOLUCION DE DISPUTAS

El presente contrato se rige por las leyes de la Republica de Colombia: Codigo de Comercio (Decreto 410 de 1971), Codigo Civil (Ley 57 de 1887), Ley 1 de 1991, y las convenciones maritimas internacionales ratificadas por Colombia.

Las controversias seran resueltas mediante: [Dispute Method].

FIRMAS

CARGADOR / REMITENTE:

[Shipper Name]

NIT: [Shipper NIT]

Representante Legal: [Shipper Rep Name]

Firma: _________________________

TRANSPORTADOR:

[Carrier Name]

NIT: [Carrier NIT]

Representante Legal: [Carrier Rep Name]

Firma: _________________________

Shipper (Cargador)

________________

Signature

Carrier (Transportador)

________________

Signature

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What Is a Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo)?

A Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo) is a bilateral commercial agreement through which a carrier (transportador) undertakes to transport goods by sea from one port to another in exchange for payment of freight (flete), governed by Codigo de Comercio (CCo -- Decreto 410 de 1971) Articles 1578 through 1656 and supplemented by Ley 1 de 1991 (Estatuto de Puertos Maritimos) which regulates the port infrastructure and operations essential to maritime commerce in Colombia.

CCo Article 1578 defines the contrato de transporte as the agreement by which a person (transportador) undertakes to carry persons or things from one place to another in exchange for a price (flete or porte). Articles 1597 through 1656 specifically address maritime transport, establishing the rights and obligations of the shipper (cargador or remitente), carrier (transportador or armador), and consignee (consignatario or destinatario). Under CCo Article 1602 of the Codigo Civil, read with CCo Article 1578, the maritime transport contract constitutes law between the parties (ley entre las partes) and must be performed in good faith (buena fe) under CC Article 1603.

The Direccion General Maritima (DIMAR) -- established under Decreto 2324 de 1984 as Colombia's maritime authority attached to the Ministerio de Defensa Nacional through the Armada Nacional -- regulates all maritime transport activities in Colombian territorial waters, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone, and the continental shelf. DIMAR issues patentes de navegacion, regulates vessel registration under the Colombian flag, controls port access through Capitanias de Puerto, and enforces maritime safety standards in compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions ratified by Colombia.

The Superintendencia de Transporte (Supertransporte) -- reorganized under Decreto 2741 de 2001 -- supervises transport operators and enforces compliance with transport regulations. Under Ley 336 de 1996 (Estatuto Nacional de Transporte) Article 8, the maritime transport service is considered a public service (servicio publico) subject to state regulation. Carriers must obtain habilitacion (operating authorization) from the Ministerio de Transporte and register with Supertransporte before offering maritime cargo services.

Colombia has ratified several international maritime conventions that apply to maritime transport contracts. The Convencion Internacional para la Unificacion de Ciertas Reglas en Materia de Conocimiento de Embarque (Reglas de La Haya), ratified through Ley 11 de 1990, establishes minimum standards for carrier liability. The Convenio Internacional sobre Busqueda y Salvamento Maritimos (SAR Convention) and the Convenio Internacional para la Seguridad de la Vida Humana en el Mar (SOLAS) apply to vessel safety requirements. Under Decreto 804 de 2001, Colombia adopted the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) administered by DIMAR.

The Ley 1 de 1991 transformed Colombian port operations by privatizing port services through Sociedades Portuarias (port operating companies) holding concesiones portuarias granted by the Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI). Major port operators include the Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Buenaventura, Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena, SPRB Barranquilla, and Sociedad Portuaria de Santa Marta. The maritime transport contract must account for port tariffs, terminal handling charges, and port regulations specific to the loading and discharge ports.

The legal framework governing the Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo) in Colombia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Codigo de Comercio (Decreto 410 de 1971), the Camara de Comercio maintains the Registro Mercantil of Colombian companies. The Ley 1258 de 2008 governs Sociedades por Acciones Simplificadas (SAS). The Superintendencia de Sociedades supervises corporate governance. The DIAN (Direccion de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales) administers the Impuesto de Renta and IVA under the Estatuto Tributario (Decreto 624 de 1989). Parties executing a Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo) in Colombia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The CCo arts. 1578-1656; Ley 1/1991 sets the foundational requirements.

When Do You Need a Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo)?

A Maritime Transport Contract Colombia is needed whenever a shipper engages a carrier for the transport of goods by sea to, from, or between Colombian ports, formalizing the commercial relationship beyond the summary terms typically found in a Bill of Lading.

The Contrato de Transporte Maritimo is needed when Colombian exporters contract with shipping lines for regular or spot cargo movements from Colombian ports. Under Decreto 1165 de 2019 (Estatuto Aduanero) and DIAN regulations, the existence of a valid transport contract is a prerequisite for filing the Declaracion de Exportacion through the VUCE (Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior) system. Colombian coffee exporters shipping through the Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Buenaventura, flower exporters using Cartagena, and coal exporters operating from Puerto Bolivar (La Guajira) require formal transport agreements with carriers.

The contract is needed when importers arrange maritime shipments of raw materials, machinery, consumer goods, or other products destined for Colombian ports. Under CCo Article 1599, the shipper must deliver goods to the carrier in proper condition for transport -- the contract specifies delivery timelines, documentation requirements (factura comercial, packing list, certificado de origen), and the allocation of costs between the port of loading and the port of discharge according to Incoterms (ICC 2020).

A Maritime Transport Contract is needed when parties enter into volume contracts or Contracts of Affreightment (COA) for the transport of bulk commodities -- petroleum products shipped through Ecopetrol's maritime terminal at Covenas, coal from Cerrejon or Drummond's Puerto Drummond, or nickel from Cerro Matoso. These long-term contracts establish freight rates, vessel nomination procedures, laytime (tiempo de plancha) calculations, and demurrage (sobreestadia) penalties under CCo Article 1617.

The contract is needed when parties charter vessels under time charter (fletamento por tiempo) or voyage charter (fletamento por viaje) arrangements governed by CCo Articles 1666 through 1677. Under CCo Article 1666, the fletamento transfers the use and commercial operation of a vessel while the owner retains navigation control -- the contract must specify the charter period, charter hire (precio del fletamento), vessel specifications, and the allocation of port charges and bunker costs.

A maritime transport contract is required when multimodal transport involves a maritime leg -- goods transported by truck from Bogota to Buenaventura and then by sea to an international destination require coordination between the land carrier (regulated under Decreto 173 de 2001) and the maritime carrier. Under Ley 336 de 1996 and Decreto 1609 de 2002, the transport of hazardous goods (mercancias peligrosas) by sea requires specific contractual provisions regarding the IMDG Code classification, packaging, labeling, and documentation.

What to Include in Your Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo)

A valid Maritime Transport Contract Colombia under CCo Articles 1578 through 1656 and Ley 1 de 1991 must contain the following essential elements to establish an enforceable agreement between shipper and carrier for sea cargo transport.

Party Identification: Full legal identification of the shipper (cargador/remitente) and the carrier (transportador/armador or naviero). For Colombian entities: razon social, NIT (Numero de Identificacion Tributaria assigned by DIAN), Camara de Comercio registration number, and representante legal. For foreign carriers operating in Colombia: the name of the authorized agent (agente maritimo) registered with Supertransporte under Decreto 2741 de 2001. Under DIMAR Resolution 378 de 2009, the carrier or its agent must be registered with DIMAR and the Capitania de Puerto at the relevant Colombian port.

Object of the Contract (Objeto): Clear description of the transport service to be provided -- the obligation to transport specified goods from the port of loading to the port of discharge by sea. Under CCo Article 1578, the essential obligation (obligacion esencial) of the carrier is the safe transport and delivery of goods at the agreed destination. The contract should reference applicable Incoterms (ICC 2020) to allocate responsibilities for loading, insurance, and delivery.

Cargo Description: Detailed specification of the goods to be transported including: nature and type of cargo (carga general, contenedorizada, a granel, liquida, refrigerada), estimated volume and weight, packaging requirements, hazardous goods classification under the IMDG Code (if applicable, per Decreto 1609 de 2002), and any special handling or stowage requirements.

Ports and Routing: Specification of the port of loading (puerto de embarque), port of discharge (puerto de descarga), and any permitted transhipment ports. Under Ley 1 de 1991 and the concesion portuaria terms, each Colombian port has specific operating rules, berthing procedures, and cargo handling regulations administered by the Sociedad Portuaria. The contract should address whether the carrier may substitute vessels or modify routing.

Freight and Payment Terms: The freight rate (tarifa de flete) expressed as a rate per ton, per container, or lump sum. Under CCo Article 1598, the flete is the price paid for the transport service. Payment terms (prepaid or collect), currency, invoicing procedures, and any additional charges (recargos) such as BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor), CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor), THC (Terminal Handling Charges), and documentation fees must be specified. Under CCo Article 1648, the carrier has a derecho de retencion (lien) over the goods for unpaid freight.

Laytime and Demurrage: For non-containerized cargo, the contract must specify laytime (tiempo de plancha) -- the number of hours allowed for loading and discharge operations. Under CCo Article 1617, if laytime is exceeded, the shipper or consignee must pay demurrage (sobreestadia) at the contractual daily rate. Conversely, dispatch money (premio de despacho) may be payable if operations are completed ahead of schedule.

Carrier Liability and Insurance: The carrier's liability regime under CCo Articles 1649 through 1652 and the Reglas de La Haya (Ley 11 de 1990). The contract should specify liability limits, the claims notification period (CCo Article 1655 -- one year), and insurance requirements. Under Decreto 1609 de 2002, carriers of hazardous goods must maintain specific insurance coverage.

Force Majeure and Exclusions: Circumstances excusing performance under CCo Article 1650 -- fuerza mayor, vicio propio de las mercancias, culpa del cargador, incendio no imputable, and acts of public authority. The contract may expand or limit force majeure events subject to the principle of good faith under CC Article 1603.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution: The contract is governed by Colombian law -- CCo, CC, Ley 1 de 1991, and applicable international conventions. Dispute resolution may be through Juzgados Civiles del Circuito, arbitration under Ley 1563 de 2012, or, for international disputes, arbitration before institutions such as the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) or the Society of Maritime Arbitrators (SMA) in New York.

Forms-legal.com provides this Maritime Transport Contract Colombia template as a starting point for formalizing sea cargo transport arrangements. Given the complexity of maritime law and international trade regulations, consultation with an abogado maritimo or abogado de comercio exterior is recommended for high-value or complex shipments.

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@misc{formslegal-maritime-transport-contract-colombia,
  author       = {{Forms Legal}},
  title        = {Maritime Transport Contract Colombia (Contrato de Transporte Maritimo) (Colombia)},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/colombia/business/shipping/maritime-transport-contract-colombia}},
  note         = {Free legal document template}
}

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