Can cargo owners claim compensation for goods damaged in transit?

Liability for cargo damage during maritime transport is generally governed by the specific terms of the bill of lading or contract of carriage under which the goods were shipped, together with applicable international conventions on carriage of goods by sea that Malta, as a maritime nation, generally recognises and applies, meaning the carrier's specific liability, any applicable limitation of liability amounts, and the required claims procedure and timeframes would primarily depend on exactly what terms and conventions apply to your particular shipment rather than a single universal Maltese rule covering all cargo claims. Your first practical steps should include properly documenting the damage immediately upon discovery, ideally before removing the goods further from the port or accepting delivery without noting the damage, since prompt notation of damage upon delivery is often a critical procedural requirement for preserving your right to claim, along with gathering the relevant shipping documentation, including the bill of lading, packing lists, and any survey reports documenting the extent and nature of the damage. Given that maritime cargo claims often involve fairly strict procedural requirements and time limits for notifying the carrier and formally lodging a claim, which can vary depending on the specific contract and applicable convention, it would be important to consult a maritime lawyer promptly, since delay in properly pursuing this kind of claim can itself jeopardise your ability to recover compensation regardless of the merits of the underlying damage claim.