🇨🇦🇺🇸 CANADA-US Border: Saint-Bernard-de Lacolle After several months of tensions, unsuccessful negotiations, and reciprocal tariff measures, an important question deserves to be asked: what is, or what will be, the real outcome of this trade war for both economies? In short term, each side may claim a form of victory. United States holds significant leverage over Canada, given importance of U.S. market for Canadian exporters. According to Reuter (Reuters), for example, U

When Bill of Lading Becomes the Instrument for Choosing Applicable Legal Regime In maritime law, Paramount Clause occupies a particular place in the contract of carriage by sea. But what exactly does it mean? Put simply, an international convention does not necessarily apply automatically to every contract of carriage, particularly with regard to carrier’s liability. The parties may, however, agree to subject their contract to a specific international legal regime (generally

By Jean-Désiré Groguhé Ph.D CMA CGM Notre Dame On July 2, 2026, the Port of Le Havre hosted a landmark event with the official inauguration of CMA CGM Notre Dame, the largest container ship sailing under French flag and first of a series of ten ultra-large container vessels exceeding 24,000 TEU ordered by French shipping company CMA CGM. Powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)1*, and equipped with the latest technological innovations, this impressive vessel symbolizes both mod

By Jean-Désiré Groguhé, Ph.D. Maritime Law Consultant, Transport and International Trade expert. Whenever tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz once again becomes the focus of international attention. While the media primarily emphasize the geopolitical and military dimensions of this strategic maritime corridor, the legal and commercial implications of such crises deserve equal attention from maritime transport professionals. Situated between the Islamic

By Jean-Désiré GROGUHÉ Ph.D. Logistics and supply chain management are two closely related activities in international trade. However, they do not refer to the same reality. The distinction between them is often misunderstood, as the boundary separating the two concepts is not always obvious, even to some professionals. In this article, we will attempt to clarify this ambiguity by providing a clear definition of each concept, examining their respective objectives, and illust

By Jean-Désiré GROGUHÉ Ph.D International trade offers significant opportunities for Canadian businesses seeking to import goods or expand their exports into foreign markets. However, the success of an international commercial transaction depends not only on product quality or successful business negotiations. It also relies on a solid understanding of the applicable customs regulations. In Canada, several customs regimes allow businesses to tailor their operations to their l

By Jean-Désiré GROGUHÉ, Ph.D. In international trade, payment is often the greatest challenge. Geographic distance, unfamiliarity between business partners, currency fluctuations, political risks, and the diversity of legal systems all increase uncertainty, particularly when payment is involved. Whether you are exporter or importer, one essential question remains: how can payments be secured without blocking the transaction? It is precisely in this context that the Documentar

By Jean-Désiré Groguhé, Ph.D. Incoterms (short for International Commercial Terms) are international rules established by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Their purpose is to clarify the respective responsibilities of sellers and buyers in international sale contract. They define the allocation of carriage costs, risks during carriage, customs clearance obligations, responsibilities related to insurance and delivery. Incoterms therefore clearly specify who is resp

By Jean-Désiré Groguhé, Ph.D. The bill of lading plays a central role in maritime carriage and international trade operations. Serving simultaneously as a receipt for the goods, proof of the transport contract, and document representing the cargo, it constitutes an essential legal instrument for securing international commercial transactions. In maritime practice, a recurring difficulty concerns the delivery of goods by the carrier without presentation of the original bill of

By Jean-Désiré Groguhé, Ph.D. Maritime transport plays a central role in international trade. In fact, more than 80% of goods traded worldwide are carried by sea. In this context, the bill of lading (B/L) is one of the most important documents in international maritime carriage of goods by sea. It fulfills several essential functions, both legal and practical/logistical. A good understanding of the bill of lading and all its details is therefore essential for exporters, impor