Multimodal Transport Act 2021

• Act Code: MTA2021
• Edition: 2020 Rev Ed
• Commencement: 27 Nov 2021
• Version as at: 25 Mar 2026
• Enacted by: Parliament

Section 1 — Short title

This Act is the Multimodal Transport Act 2021.

Section 2 — Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —“ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport” means the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport, signed at Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on 17 November 2

Section 3 — Application of Parts 3 to 6

(1) Parts 3 to 6 apply in relation to any civil claim relating to the carriage of goods that are the subject of a multimodal transport contract but only if either or both of the following are satisfied:(a) the place for the taking in charge

Section 4 — Registration

(1) A person who desires to be under the register of the Singapore competent national body must apply to the Singapore competent national body for a registration certificate under this section.(2) An application under subsection (1) must —(

Section 5 — Renewal of registration certificate

(1) An application for the renewal of a registration certificate must —(a) be made to the Singapore competent national body at least 3 months before the date the registration certificate expires; (b) be made in the form and manner that the

Section 6 — Cancellation of registration certificate

(1) If the Singapore competent national body is satisfied that the holder of a registration certificate —(a) has, when making an application under section 4 or 5 relating to the registration certificate, made any statement that is incorrect

Section 7 — Minister may designate others to hear appeals

(1) The Minister may designate any of the following persons to hear and determine, in the Minister’s place, any appeal under section 4, 5 or 6:(a) the Second Minister for his or her Ministry; (b) any Minister of State, including a Senior Mi

Section 8 — Register

The Singapore competent national body must keep and maintain a register containing —(a) the name of each person who is issued with a registration certificate under section 4, or whose registration certificate is renewed under section 5; and

Section 9 — Issue of multimodal transport document

(1) When goods are taken in charge in Singapore by a multimodal transport operator pursuant to a multimodal transport contract, the multimodal transport operator must issue to the consignor of the goods a multimodal transport document.(2) T

Section 10 — Contents of multimodal transport document

(1) A multimodal transport document must contain such particulars as may be prescribed.(2) A document is a multimodal transport document despite the absence of any of the prescribed particulars if there is evidence to establish that it is a

Section 11 — Multimodal transport document as prima facie evidence

(1) A multimodal transport document issued by a multimodal transport operator is prima facie evidence that the multimodal transport operator has taken in charge the goods as described in that document, unless a contrary indication, such as

Section 12 — Period of responsibility of multimodal transport operator

For the purposes of this Part, the period of responsibility of a multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract starts at the time the multimodal transport operator takes in charge the goods that are the subject of the con

Section 13 — Multimodal transport operator liable for acts of servants or agents

(1) A multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract is liable for any act or omission described in subsection (2), of —(a) any servant or agent of the multimodal transport operator, when acting within the scope of the ser

Section 14 — Multimodal transport operator to ensure delivery of goods

A multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract for the international multimodal transport of any goods is taken to have given an undertaking to the following persons to perform, or to procure the performance of, all acts

Section 15 — Multimodal transport operator liable for loss resulting from loss of or damage to goods, etc.

(1) Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), a multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract is liable for loss resulting from the loss of, damage to, or delay in the delivery of, any goods that are the subject of the con

Section 16 — Assessment of compensation

(1) An assessment of compensation by a multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract for the loss of or damage to the goods that are the subject of the contract, and for which the multimodal transport operator is liable u

Section 17 — Limit on liability of multimodal transport operator

(1) Subject to subsection (2) and sections 18, 19, 21 and 22, a multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract is not liable under section 15 for any loss of or damage to the goods that are the subject of the contract, in

Section 18 — Liability of multimodal transport operator if no carriage of goods by sea, etc.

If a multimodal transport contract does not provide for the carriage of goods by sea or inland waterways, the liability of the multimodal transport operator under section 15 for the loss of or damage to the goods is limited to an amount not

Section 19 — Liability to be determined in accordance with other conventions or law

If the loss of or damage to the goods that are the subject of a multimodal transport contract occurred during a particular stage of the international multimodal transport of the goods, in respect of which a mandatory law would have provided

Section 20 — Liability of multimodal transport operator other than for loss of or damage to goods

Subject to sections 19, 21 and 22, the liability of a multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract under section 15 for loss resulting from delay in the delivery of the goods that are the subject of the contract, or any

Section 21 — Aggregate liability of multimodal transport operator

The aggregate liability of a multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract under this Part must not exceed the limits of liability for the total loss of the goods that are the subject of the contract calculated in accorda

Section 22 — Aggregate liability of multimodal transport operator and servant, agent, etc.

The aggregate liability of —(a) a multimodal transport operator of a multimodal transport contract; and (b) any servant or agent of the multimodal transport operator, or other person whose services the multimodal transport operator has used

Section 23 — Multimodal transport operator and servant, agent, etc., not entitled to limitation of liability if loss, etc., resulted from personal act or omission

(1) The multimodal transport operator is not entitled to the benefit of the limitation of liability under this Part for the loss of, damage to, or delay in the delivery of the goods if it is proved that the loss, damage or delay resulted fr

Section 24 — Responsibilities of consignor

(1) The consignor of any goods that are the subject of a multimodal transport contract is deemed to have guaranteed to the multimodal transport operator of the contract that, at the time the goods were taken in charge by the multimodal tran

Section 25 — Handing over of goods prima facie evidence of delivery

(1) Unless written notice of loss of or damage to any goods that are the subject of a multimodal transport contract, specifying the general nature of such loss or damage, is given by the consignee of the goods to the multimodal transport op

Section 26 — Time bar

Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the parties to a multimodal transport contract, no action in a court or arbitral proceedings relating to the international multimodal transport of any goods that are the subject of the contract may be br

Section 27 — Dispute may be referred to arbitration

(1) Any dispute relating to the international multimodal transport of any goods is capable of settlement by arbitration in Singapore between parties to the multimodal transport contract relating to the goods but only if —(a) the principal p

Section 28 — Multimodal transport document void if it departs from provisions of Act

(1) Any stipulation in a multimodal transport document relating to any goods is void and of no effect to the extent —(a) it is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act; and (b) it is prejudicial to the consignor or consignee of the good

Section 29 — Rules of general average

Nothing in this Act prevents the application of any rules pertaining to general average adjustment —(a) contained in a multimodal transport contract; or (b) under any law, to the extent they are applicable.

Section 30 — Act does not affect certain written laws

(1) This Act does not affect any rights or obligations of a multimodal transport operator, carrier, consignor or consignee provided under —(a) any written law implementing any treaty, convention or other international agreement or arrangeme

Section 31 — Regulations

The Minister may make regulations necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to this Act, and for prescribing anything which under this Act is to be or may be prescribed.