Maritime law is the body of law that governs activities that take place on or around the sea, including shipping, navigation, and the transportation of goods and people by sea. It is a specialized area of law that deals with a wide range of legal issues that arise from the operation of ships and other vessels, as well as the exploitation of natural resources from the sea. Some of the key areas of maritime law include the law of the sea, marine insurance, marine pollution, and admiralty jurisdiction.
Principles Of Maritime Law
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 is a treaty that ensures minimum safety standards for construction workers on ships and requires merchant ships with signatory flags to comply with these regulations.
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships is legislation passed by the International Maritime Organization to prevent various types of pollution, including oil spills, noxious gas pollution, sewage and garbage pollution, and carbon emissions from ships.
The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 updates the previous Merchant Shipping Act 1894 and includes measures to ensure the rights of owners, the safety of workers, legal trade, and pollution and wreckage prevention under UK maritime jurisdiction.
The Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976 requires ship owners and sailors under UK law to provide compensation in the event of an accident that causes loss of life or property.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971 regulates contract agreements for trading businesses, limits on cargo, and ensures that cargo does not violate the laws of the country and does not cause pollution in the maritime environment.
