Average

“Average”, translated from English as ‘average’, is a term that has a specific meaning in shipping and insurance. In the context of shipping, “average” refers to damage or loss that occurs during the transportation of goods on a ship. This damage can be caused by various factors, including accidents, storms, theft or average.

There are two main types of average in shipping:

1. **General Average (GA):** General Average occurs when action must be taken to protect the ship and cargo from a hazard. In such cases, the various parties – shipowner, charterer and carrier – share the costs of these measures according to a certain percentage of the value of the rescued goods.

2 **Particular Average (PA):** Particular Average occurs when damage or loss occurs that affects only certain goods or interests. The parties whose goods are affected are responsible for covering the costs incurred. This may be the case, for example, if a particular cargo is damaged and only the owner of that cargo is liable for the costs incurred.

In the insurance world, “average” refers to the portion of the claim costs that the policyholder must bear themselves, depending on the terms of the insurance contract.

The term “average” therefore plays an important role in shipping and insurance, as it regulates the distribution of costs and responsibilities in cases of damage or loss. A clear understanding of this term is essential for all parties involved in shipping and insurance in order to adequately assess potential risks and protect themselves from financial loss.