大部分运输合同，租船合同和提单中都含有隐含或明确的规定，即航程要履行”最大速遣” (或类似的措辞)，并且采用地理上或习惯上的最短航线。违反合约规定，可能会被视为不合理偏离航线，一般简称为”绕航”。
然而，以下情况下的偏离合同航线（绕航）可以是合理的：不自主的；法律允许的；相关合同中允许的；或可被视为”合理” 的。例如，船长有权利和义务为救助海上人命改变航线，这通常可被视为允许的”绕航”。
详细信息请参阅附件。
Deviation
Most contracts of carriage, charter parties as well as bills of lading, contain implied or explicit provisions that voyages will be carried out with utmost despatch’ (or similar wording) and by the shortest geographical or customary route. Any failure to do so could be regarded as an unjustifiable departure from the voyage agreed in the contract, generally referred to as a deviation’.
A departure from the contractual voyage (a diversion’) can, however, be justifiable if it is involuntary; if it is permitted in law; if it is permitted in the relevant contract; or if it can be regarded as reasonable’. The usual example of a permissible diversion’ is the master’s right and duty to divert to save life at sea.
See attached file: ALCO20130041 Deviation.pdf
