498. Responsibilities as to seaworthiness.

There is not to be implied in any contract for the carriage of goods1 by sea to which the Hague-Visby Rules2 apply3 any absolute undertaking by the carrier4 of the goods to provide a seaworthy ship5.

Before and at the beginning of the voyage6, the carrier is bound to exercise due diligence7 to make the ship seaworthy8. The words 'before and at the beginning of the voyage' mean the period from at least the beginning of the loading until the ship starts on her voyage9, that is to say the obligation extends over the whole period and is not broken