Modernizing Iranian Maritime Law in regard to Liability of Sea Carrier: Can Rotterdam Rules find a word in edge ways? *

Iranian Maritime Code (1964) adopts its regulating system of maritime transportation from that of Hague Rules. The system does not incorporate the modern practice of maritime transportations, nor does it include the amendments of later conventions yet. This article takes an assessing approach in regard to this code with an overview to some cases set forth in Iran judicial system. It then appraises the possible ratification of the Rotterdam Rules by the country and the change it might leave on these cases. It also enjoys the experience of common law countries which are based on Hague/Hague-Visby Rules. Finally, it suggests that the Rotterdam Rules might enable the country toward fulfillment of its own objectives, besides facilitating its international trade with other European and Western countries whose ratification of the Rotterdam Rules is not far-fetched