“喜马拉雅”条款的目的是解决承运人与其雇佣人、代理人的责任分担问题。《维斯比规则》将“喜马拉雅”条款的效力法定化，但没有解决独立合同人的法律地位问题。各国司法实践中，“喜马拉雅”条款的效力不尽相同。海运履约方制度是“喜马拉雅”的新发展，对港口经营人来说有利有弊。作为世界第一大港口国，我国应当慎重对待海运履约方制度。
The function of Himalaya Clause is to channel the liability issues among carrier，its employees and agents. The Visby Rules give this clause the force of law. However，the legal status of the independent contractor is not resolved. In practice，different jurisdictions treat this clause differently. The maritime performing party regime is the new development of the Himalaya Clause. It has both advantages and disadvantages to the port operators. As the world’s biggest port country，China should take a cautious attitude to the maritime performing party regime.
