Article 2 - Scope of application

1. The provisions of this Convention are applicable to all contracts of carriage by sea between two different States, if:

(a)The port of loading as provided for in the contract of carriage by sea is located in a Contracting State, or

(b) The port of discharge as provided for in the contract of carriage by sea is located in a Contracting State, or

(c) One of the optional ports of discharge provided for in the contract of carriage by sea is the actual port of discharge and such port is located in a Contracting State, or

(d) The bill of lading or other document evidencing the contract of carriage by sea is issued in a Contracting State, or

(e) The bill of lading or other document evidencing the contract of carriage by sea provides that the provisions of this Convention or the legislation of any State giving effect to them are to govern the contract.

2. The provisions of this Convention are applicable without regard to the nationality of the ship, the carrier, the actual carrier, the shipper, the consignee or any other interested person.

3. The provisions of this Convention are not applicable to charter-parties. However, where a bill of lading is issued pursuant to a charter-party, the provisions of the Convention apply to such a bill of lading if it governs the relation between the carrier and the holder of the bill of lading, not being the charterer.

4. If a contract provides for future carriage of goods in a series of shipments during an agreed period, the provisions of this Convention apply to each shipment. However, where a shipment is made under a charter-party, the provisions of paragraph 3 of thisArticle apply.