Maritime Law Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

Deviation means a departure from the voyage or route specified in the contract of carriage, i.e., an unauthorized detour. In a sea carriage contract, the carrier undertakes to deliver the goods along the agreed path and schedule. When the ship deviates without proper authorization, that departure from the agreed performance disrupts the risk allocation the contract creates.

Because the voyage is a key part of the carrier’s risk assumption, an unauthorized deviation is treated as a breach of contract. That breach generally exposes the carrier to higher liability for losses or damage that occur as a result of the detour and can undermine the usual contractual protections or liability limitations contained in the bill of lading or governing conventions. However, if the deviation is justified—such as to save lives, protect the cargo, or other urgent safety needs—or expressly authorized by the contract, then the deviation may not trigger the heightened liability or loss of protections.