The term “Customer” is defined as the shipper, receiver, owner, consignor, consignee, or any other person with a legitimate interest in the cargo.

1. Booking

Cargo for all routes can be booked online: Cargo booking, via Color Line´s offices or by phone or email:

• Email: cargobook@colorline.com
• Phone: +47 22 94 44 44

At the time of booking, it is essential that correct information is supplied such as length, width, height, and weight, and name of driver(s) if applicable.

IMDG goods must be notified at the time of booking no later than 24 hrs before departure. See section 6 and 15.

Special requirements such as power supply etc. must be ordered when booking.

Special vehicles on belts/tracks will only be accepted for carriage when transported on a Mafi/roll trailer. Cargo exceeding 2,60 width and/or over 60 metric tons must be approved by Color Line before actual booking.

The booking will be confirmed by email. In the event of change or cancellation Color Line requires the booking reference number.

Boarding cards/shipping documents etc. will be issued at the check-in counter on the departure date. For unaccompanied units the booking party will receive an email notification of departure/arrival when unit is loaded.

Please note that Color Line reserves the right to perform the transport by use of a different vessel than that stated at the time of booking.

2. Priority space

Priority space for regular cargo Customers may be granted at Color Line’s discretion.

Confirmation of granted priority space will be sent to cargo Customers by email in advance.

The number of granted priority spaces for cargo units will vary throughout the year as the transportation of passenger vehicles will have priority especially at peak seasons.

Cargo Customers must confirm the booking of a priority space no later than 24 hours before departure.

Color Line reserves the right to cancel, or change granted priority space at any given time.

Customers will be informed by email accordingly.

Cancellation of priority space is not subject to any financial compensation from Color Line.

3. Rates and terms of payment

Color Line reserves the right to change freight rates, fees, services, terms of payment and departure times listed at colorline-cargo.com.

Color Line reserves the right to amend prices without prior notice due to fluctuations in currency rates (CAF), fuel prices (BAF), EU ETS surcharges, taxes, and duties.

Color Line also reserves the right to change the sailing schedule and routes for all Color Line vessels.

Generally, Color Line does not give credit on shipment, but Customers may be granted credit at Color Line’s discretion.

Any credit account or quoted rate may at the discretion of Color Line be withdrawn at any time. The withdrawal is valid for future consignments and notice will be given to the Customer in advance.

Regardless of any counterclaim, Customers are not entitled to offset any amounts against any outstanding debts they may have with Color Line.

Further reference is made to Color Line’s current «Conditions of Carriage».

4. Extraordinary units

For transport of oversized and heavy units, rates will be given on request.

For standard units with a width of over 2,60 m, a surcharge will be added on the sea freight and BAF/EU ETS surcharge:

• 2,61 – 3.00 m: + 25 %
• 3.01 – 3,25 m: + 50 %
• 3,26 – 3,75 m: + 75 %
• 3,76 – 4,25 m: + 100 %

For widths over 4,25 m. freight rates will be evaluated individually.

For heavy weight units with a total weight above or equal to 60 metric tons, a heavy weight surcharge of minimum 100 % will be added to the base sea freight.

For all units/cargo with a total weight above or equal to 60 metric tons, a complete technical drawing must be provided at the time of request for acceptance. 

The unit/cargo must be approved by the ramp manufacturer, crew, and Color Line vessel before the unit is accepted for transport.

5. Electric plug-in

If the transport unit needs an electric plug-in during transport, it must be advised at time of booking. If the transport unit also needs to be plugged in at the departure/arrival terminal a request per email must be sent to Color Line, whereupon a confirmatory email or information from the booking system will be sent.

The Customer is solely responsible for and must ensure that the refrigeration/heating unit is already switched on and set at the correct set-point temperature at the time of delivery. The temperature set-point will not be adjusted by Color Line.

Color Line as carrier will in no circumstances be liable for consequences arising from

• any failure of the Customer to correctly plug in the refrigeration/heating unit.
• any failure of the Customer to set the correct temperature on the refrigeration/heating unit.
• any malfunctioning of the refrigeration/heating unit attached to the transport unit.

6. Check-in

The following deadlines for check-in will apply according to type of cargo unit:

• Vehicles with driver: At least 1 hour (60 minutes). Exeption Sandefjord/Strömstad: at least 30 minutes.

• Unaccompanied trailers/units Oslo/Kiel: At least 3 hours (180 minutes)

• Unaccompanied trailers/units Larvik/Kristiansand/Hirtshals: At least 2 hours (120 minutes)

• Unaccompanied trailers/units Sandefjord/Strömstad: At least 1 hour (60 minutes)

• General cargo, dangerous goods, and unaccompanied vehicles: At least 4 hours (240 minutes). NB! Earliest delivery time is the day before departure, and always during our opening hours.

Other cargo units must comply with the terms in the «Conditions of Carriage» or special conditions in the respective ports.

If delivered later than times noted above before departure, Color Line is entitled to perform the transport by use of a different vessel/departure time than stated at the time of booking.

Empty unaccompanied units will be shipped on space available terms.

Check-in will close 30 minutes before departure at all ports, except for Sandefjord/Strømstad 15 minutes before departure.

7. No-show fee

A No-show fee is charged by Color Line for confirmed bookings that fail to show up before departure. 

To avoid the charge, any cancellation or alteration to confirmed bookings must be made within the following deadlines before the scheduled departure:

• Oslo/Kiel: 4 hours
• Larvik/Kristiansand/Hirtshals: 2 hours
• Sandefjord/Strömstad: 1 hour

8. Accompanied vehicles/units with drivers

Vehicle drivers are responsible for leaving their vehicles at the place instructed onboard the vessel. Likewise, vehicles must be left secured by use of hand brake, in lowest gear, and properly locked. 

All driving whether ashore or onboard the vessel is done at the driver’s own risk and without liability to Color Line unless negligence or fault on Color Lines part can be proved.

Any damages to the vehicle which are alleged to have occurred during the carriage must be reported immediately to the ship’s officer before disembarking from the vessel.

Drivers are advised to follow and adhere to Color Line’s applicable Safety on Board rules,  and any relevant disease prevention regulations at the time of boarding, and during transport onboard the vessel.

Breach of safety and disease prevention rules can result in refusal to board and/or a permanent ban from Color Lines vessels.

Drivers must always comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding the consumption of alcohol and drugs during embarkment, transport, and discharge from the vessel. If Color Line has any reason to believe that vehicles/units are loaded on board a vessel whilst accompanied by any person under the improper influence of alcohol or drugs, Color Line is entitled to refuse carriage of those vehicles/units and will have no liability to any person as a result of such refusal.

The company responsible for booking of units with drivers is required to communicate and instruct drivers to follow the applicable rules.

At check inn Color Line will communicate same to each driver.

Color Line’s liability for vehicle drivers and their baggage is regulated by the Norwegian Maritime Act of 24 June 1994 no. 39, including Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents (Athens Convention of 1974 and Protocol of 2002 to the Convention)

Please note that Color Line is not liable for loss of or damage to personal items carried on board such as money, securities, gold, silverware, jewellery, art objects and other valuables, except where such valuables have been deposited with Color Line for the purpose of safe keeping. It should be noted that storage in locked cabinets in public areas is not considered as delivered to Color Line for safe keeping. 

9. Unaccompanied trilers/units

Cargo units delivered to Color Line for transport either at night or day(s) prior to loading is at the Customer's sole risk and expense.

Color Line’s period of responsibility (custody) does not start until the transport documentation is issued, and the cargo unit is cleared for loading. The transport document/contract of carriage will be proof of delivery of goods into Color Line’s custody.

Cargo units unloaded at our terminals may remain for an additional 1 day after the date of arrival free of charge. Thereafter Color Line reserves the right to charge rent for each additional storage day at cargo receiver/owners’ sole risk and expense.

Color Line reserves the right to move trailers that are not picked up immediately after unloading at the port, to a specified place at the disposal of the owner, and at the Customers own expense and risk, ref. the Maritime Code § 274, third para.no. 2.

NB! Special conditions apply to the following ports:

• Port of Hirtshals: Unaccompanied units arriving at the Port of Hirtshals will be moved over to the public area “Godsbanen” directly after arrival for the owner's own risk and expense. This area is under surveillance by the Port of Hirtshals, and the gates are locked between 23:00 hrs and 07:00 hrs. Color Line will control the unit for any damages before deployment and any notations / remarks will be added to the corresponding Damage / Interchange Report. 
• Port of Oslo: At the port of Oslo units carrying dangerous goods cannot be delivered or picked up outside opening hours.

Any visible damages discovered at the time of pick-up at the destination port must be reported to Color Line Cargo staff in charge at the terminal/quayside and jointly noted on the Damage/Survey report or Interchange Report as applicable.

Color Line is not responsible for old damages on trailer units or other used transport units.

Further reference is made to Color Line’s «Conditions of Carriage» and NSOCC Green Card 2011.

10. High value transport

High value transport is not accepted for transport unless approved by Color Line at the time of booking. 

For transportation of cash, bank notes or other forms of currency, bullion, works of art, precious or rare metals or stones, plate, or other objects of a rare or precious nature, specie, bonds or other negotiable instruments, special conditions will apply. Such goods are accepted for carriage solely at the risk of the shipper. Please refer to the document Disclaimer High Value Transport, see colorline-cargo.com/terms-and-conditions.

11. Used/unregistered vehicles

Color Line is not responsible for dents, scratches or other minor damages to vehicles, and the condition report will only record major damages. 

Color Line recommends that all shippers have transport insurance in place before delivery of the vehicle to Color Line terminals.

The earliest delivery time is the day before departure, and the latest delivery time is 4 hours before departure, always within Color Line Cargo opening hours.

The vehicle must have a confirmed booking before delivery to Color Lines terminals.

Unless export/import documentation is made by Color Line, documentation must be completed before delivery of the vehicle to Color Lines terminals.

The vehicle must have displayed an A4 sheet on the dashboard inside the windshield with name of shipper corresponding with the booking. 

The vehicle registration certificate must be placed in the glove compartment.

Please also note the following:

• Commercial vehicles older than 7 years will not be accepted for shipment.
• Private vehicles older than 10 years will not be accepted for shipment. (Exceptions (including vintage/old timer vehicles) to be approved by EVP Cargo).
• The vehicle must be approved for road use.
• The vehicle must start by using the ignition key. Breaks should be in good working order.
• No loose parts, private or commercial items inside and/or attached to the vehicle.
• An extra set of tires can follow private vehicles if placed inside the vehicle and documented in the export/import documentation.
• The vehicle must be reasonably clean both inside and outside.
• The vehicle must have no leakage, including hydraulic liquids, oil, fuel etc.
• The vehicle must have sufficient fuel for loading and discharge.
• All keys must be stripped together including name-tag with vehicle brand, colour, and win number.
• Vehicles that experience loading/unloading difficulties, spills/leakage and so forth will be subject to extra costs.

12. Transport of seafood and products subject to run-off water

Transporters of seafood, slaughter waste, household waste and/or other products or residues thereof that may involve the run-off of unclean water must ensure that this does not occur onboard the vessel or terminal area. 

Such cases will be subject to fines and direct costs for cleaning the vessel and quayside. This applies to all vessels and terminal facilities.

13. ISPS

Color Line will give admission to the terminals according to the requirements given in the ISPS-code part A. The following points state the minimum requirements for admission to the ISPS-controlled area:

• The driver must carry a valid ID.
• Valid transport documents must accompany the unit.
• Transport to the terminal must be executed in a way that ensures that no unauthorized persons have had unnoticed access to the cargo.
• Transport to the terminal must if possible be carried out without unnecessary delays. Unsealed or unlocked units must not be left without supervision.
• Color Line will notify the shipper/consignee, and if necessary, the appropriate authority of any indication of unauthorized access to the cargo or the cargo unit. 
• When permission has been given to enter the controlled area, the driver must follow the requirements for admission and traffic on the ISPS-controlled area.
• It is assumed that the driver is aware of the above requirements, and that the transport has been executed according to the requirements above. The driver must sign in at the entrance to the terminal and state that he will follow these requirements.
• The Customer/driver accepts that ISPS-inspection may be carried out on the unit without advance warning and must be willing to give the inspector access to the unit. The inspector must in these circumstance present valid ID.

14. Securing of cargo

Vehicles and cargo at sea may be exposed to considerable movements and heavy stress. 

All cargo goods on/in vehicles or ro-ro units must therefore:

• be properly secured according to sea transport regulations and be equipped with lashing hooks.
• be secured to prevent injury/damage to the ship, the crew, other vehicles, and cargo.

Color Line complies with all international regulations for securing vehicles and cargo at sea and places importance on preventing all types of damage. 
Color Line is therefore dependent on good cooperation with freight forwarders, carriers, and drivers.

Please note:

• Vehicle drivers are responsible for ensuring that cargo inside the vehicle is properly secured.
• The approved total capacity of a vehicle or trailer must not be exceeded.
• Random inspections of the cargo lashing may be conducted. If Color Line finds securing to be inadequate, the Customer will be contacted. Additional securing can be arranged at the terminals at the Customer´s expense.

The vessel’s Master or loading officer reserves the right to decide whether to accept or reject cargo.

Further reference is made to Color Line’s «Conditions of Carriage» and NSOCC Green Card 2011.

15. International maritime dangerous goods – IMDG

Goods that are subject to the rules and regulations under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code are prohibited onboard Color Lines vessels without Color Line’s prior written approval.

Shipment of dangerous goods that comply with these regulations will be charged with an additional fee.

Specifications referring to the IMDG code, UN-number, class number and packing group must be received before confirmation of shipment. 

All units/vehicles carrying dangerous goods must bring a signed “Dangerous Goods Declaration” and a “Container Packing Certificate” and labelled in accordance with the IMDG-code. 

This also applies to empty uncleaned tank units that have previously carried dangerous goods and must therefore be declared in accordance with the IMDG code. 

If the unit is missing any labels, these can be purchased at our cargo office before departure. Color Line can also assist with placing/covering old labels for a fee.

All units carrying dangerous goods must be delivered to the port at least 4 hours before departure. A “Dangerous Goods Declaration” related to a booking must be sent to the port of departure within 24 hours before departure. If no declaration is received by Color Line before check-in, an additional fee will be charged (if space is available for the unit on board). 

Units carrying dangerous goods cannot be delivered outside opening hours.
If the Customer wilfully gives incorrect information regarding dangerous cargo, Color Line will hold the Customer liable for any damages or the like.

Further reference is made to Color Line’s «Conditions of Carriage» and NSOCC Green Card 2011.

16. Claims

All claims are considered in accordance with the current “Terms and Conditions” and the Norwegian Maritime Code of 24 June 1994 no. 39, Chapter 13 - Carriage of General Cargo. 

Further reference is made to Color Line’s «Conditions of Carriage» and NSOCC Green Card 2011.

Please note:

• Color Line as carrier can limit or disclaim any liability that may lawfully be excluded under the above provisions or regulations.
• Valid claims will only be accepted where it can be clearly demonstrated that the loss or damage occurred while the cargo unit was in Color Line’s custody, and Color Line fails to demonstrate that the loss or damage was not caused by a fault or neglect by Color Line, its servants, or agents.
• Claims of any kind against Color Line cannot be offset against any freight/payment due to Color Line under these terms.
• Claimants are always expected to mitigate any losses.
• Processing of claims may take longer during National Holidays, vacation/peak seasons and/or if it is necessary to obtain additional information.
• Invoiced claims sent to Color Line without prior “Notice of Claim”, or before claims are processed will not be accepted by Color Line and will be returned.

Notice of Claims:

Written Notice of Claims must be sent without undue delay to Color Line by e-mail to forsikring@colorline.no or by letter to Color Line Marine AS, c/o Claims department, PO Box 2090, N-3202 Sandefjord, Norway, and must include:

• Copy of signed damage/survey/interchange report + any pictures if available.
• Name of the carrying vessel + route/departure date.
• Damage date + Description of event/damages.
• Unit registration/chassis no. etc.

Claims process and settlement:

Where liability has been accepted by Color Line, a written confirmation will be sent with information on further processing of the claim regarding documentation of necessary repairs etc.

Valid claims must be supported by documented evidence of the paid repair invoice and/or documented estimate of the repair/replacement costs.

As soon as the claim has been processed information will then be given regarding the outcome and details for full and final settlement including correct invoice details for prompt payment of accepted amount ex vat.

17. Insurance

Please note that Color Line has no direct loss insurance coverage on goods/cargo units transported or stored by us. Color Line has however taken out a liability (P&I) insurance cover at Gard AS.

As Color Line’s liability is limited and/or can be excluded under the current Conditions of Carriage and/or the Norwegian Maritime Code, it is therefore encouraged that the Customer takes out own transport insurance to cover potential loss of and/or damage to goods/cargo units during transport, handling, and storage.

18. General

For carriage of goods under the contracts such as Waybills, Bills of Lading or equivalent, the Norwegian Maritime Code of 24 June 1994 no. 39 as amended will apply, unless otherwise agreed herein.