MARITIME GENERAL AVERAGE

When any extraordinary sacrifice or expenditure is intentionally and reasonably made or incurred for the common safety for the purpose of preserving from peril, the property (ship and cargoes) involved in a common maritime adventure, The interests saved, are required to make contributions in general average to the owner of lost or damaged property. general average rules originates from ancient maritime customs and laws. In cours of time, these rules were involved in changes and adopted, gradually, in national statues. of course, for the reason of some differences of national maritime laws, that its consequences affected, in case of conflict of laws, the parties to the disputes, the uniform York- Antwerp rules, were adopted in international level. The rules have been amended periodically, the latest changes were agreed upon at Sydney in 1994. In practice, owing to special clauses in standard from contracts - principally bills of lading – general average is adjusted according to these rules.