What Does Maritime Law Cover?

The word ‘maritime’ means ‘connected with the sea’.

Maritime law is the body of law dealing with such matters as marine commerce, navigation, shipping, sailors, transportation of passengers and goods by sea and other marine affairs.

However, maritime matters are not restricted to matters that actually occur at sea. Many activities (especially commercial matters), although land based or occurring wholly on land, are maritime in character.

Outside the special field of prize in times of hostilities there is ‘no maritime law of the world’. However there are a significant number of multilateral treaties dealing with a variety of maritime issues and a number of international bodies involved in the development of international maritime law. Admiralty jurisdiction deals with the right of action in any person who suffers an injury to his or her person or property caused by the maritime fault of the owner or operator of a ship. The jurisdiction is civil only, criminal and prize jurisdiction being outside its ambit.

International Maritime Bodies

International Maritime Organisation
The International Maritime Organisation has its headquarters in London. Its functions are consultative and advisory and extend to drafting conventions and agreements in the field of governmental regulation and practices on technical matters affecting shipping engaged in international trade and in the areas of maritime safety and marine pollution prevention. Membership is open to all states.

http://www.imo.org

Comité Maritime International
The Comité Maritime International (the ‘CMI’) was established in 1897 and is a non-governmental organisation whose object is to contribute to the unification of maritime and commercial law, maritime customs usages and practices. Membership is open to individuals and to national or multinational associations of maritime law. The CMI has its headquarters in Belgium.

http://www.comitemaritime.org

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (‘UNCITRAL’) was established in 1966 and has as its object the progressive harmonisation and unification of international trade law. UNCITRAL’s membership consists of 29 elected states. It meets each year alternately in New York and Geneva.

http://www.uncitral.org

Glossary Of Maritime Law Terms

Free glossary of maritime and admirality terms by William Tetley, Q.C - McGill University

Maritime Glossary - Maritime Dictionary

Maritime Loose-leaf Services

Transport Law Journals

Meaning Of ‘prize’ Jurisdiction

The meaning of ‘prize’ - Prize jurisdiction arises for exercise during time of war. A court having jurisdiction in prize is invested with authority to take cognisance of, and judicially proceed in, matters of prize.

The word ‘prize’ means maritime capture effected by maritime force only. What a land force takes by itself is not prize but booty.

International Maritime Agreements

Maritime safety

• International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974
• International Convention on Load Lines (LL), 1966
• Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement (STP), 1971
• Protocol on Space Requirements for Special Trade Passenger Ships, 1973
• Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), 1972
• International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972
• Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), 1976
• The Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels (SFV), 1977
• International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978
• International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), 1995
• International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979
  

Liability and compensation

• International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), 1969
• International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (FUND), 1971
• Convention relating to Civil Liability in the Field of Maritime Carriage of Nuclear Material (NUCLEAR), 1971
• Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea (PAL), 1974
• Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC), 1976
• International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS), 1996
• International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001
  

Seamen/Seafarers

• ILO Convention Concerning Seamen's Articles Of Agreement (Convention 22 Of 1926)
• ILO Convention Concerning The Medical Examination Of Seafarers (Convention 73 Of 1946) Seattle, June 29, 1946
• Convention Concerning Seafarers' Hours Of Work And The Manning Of Ships
• ILO Convention Concerning Vacation Holidays With Pay For Seafarers (Revised 1949) (Convention 91 Of 1949) Geneva, June 13, 1949
• Convention Concerning Annual Leave With Pay For Seafarers (Convention 146 Of 1976) Geneva, October 29, 1976
• Revised Convention Concerning The Repatriation Of Seafarers
• ILO Convention Concerning The Minimum Requirement Of Professional Capacity For Masters And Officers On Board Merchant Ships (Convention 53 Of 1936) Geneva,
• International Convention On Standards Of Training, Certification And Watchkeeping For Seafarers
• International Convention On Standards Of Training, Certification And Watchkeeping For Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (STCW-F)
• Convention Concerning Crew Accommodation On Board Ship (Revised 1949) (Convention 92 Of 1949) Geneva, June 18, 1949
• ILO Convention Concerning Crew Accommodation On Board Ship (Supplementary Provisions) (Convention 133 Of 1970) Geneva, October 30, 1970
• Revised Convention Concerning Social Security For Seafarers
• ILO Convention Concerning Seafarers' Pensions (Convention 71 Of 1946) Seattle, June 28, 1946
• ILO Convention Concerning The Liability Of Shipowner In Case Of Sickness, Injury Or Death Of Seamen (Convention 55 Of 1936) Geneva, October 24, 1936
• Convention Concerning Minimum Standards In Merchant Ships (Convention 147 Of 1976)
• Protocol Of 1996 To The Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976
• Convention Concerning Certification Of Able Seamen (Convention 74 Of 1946) Seattle, June 29, 1946
• Convention Concerning Occupational Safety And Health In Dock Work ILO No. 152 Geneva, June 25, 1979
• Convention Concerning Seafarers' Welfare At Sea And In Port, 1987 ILO No. 163 Geneva, October 8, 1987
• Convention Concerning Health Protection And Medical Care For Seafarers ILO No. 164 Geneva, October 8, 1987
• Convention Concerning The Inspection Of Seafarers' Working And Living Conditions ILO No. 178 Geneva, October 22, 1996
• Convention Concerning The Recruitment And Placement Of Seafarers ILO No. 179 Geneva, October 22, 1996
  

Maritime Liens And Ship Mortgages

• Convention On Maritime Liens And Mortgages, 1993
• International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Relating To Maritime Liens And Mortgages (With Protocol Of Signature)
• International Convention Relating To The Arrest Of Sea-Going Ships
• International Convention On Arrest Of Ships, 1999
• Collapse table of contents listingChapter 10. Carriage Of Goods (And Passengers)
• United Nations Conference On Trade And Development. Resolution Establishing The Committee On Shipping, April 29, 1965
• Establishment Of The (Uncitral) United Nations Commission On International Trade Law, December 17, 1966
• Statutes Of The International Maritime Committee (1981)
• United Nations Convention On Contracts For The International Sale Of Goods, Vienna, 1980
• International Convention On Load Lines, London, Apr. 5, 1966
• Protocol Of 1988 Relating To The International Convention On Load Lines, Nov. 11, 1966
• International Convention On Tonnage Measurement Of Ships, London, June 23, 1969
• International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Of Law Relating To Bills Of Lading, Brussels, August 25, 1924 ("Hague Rules")
• Protocol To Amend The International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Of Law Relating To Bills Of Lading
• Protocol Amending The International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Of Law Relating To Bills Of Lading
• United Nations Convention On The Carriage Of Goods By Sea, 1978 ("Hamburg Rules")
• United Nations Convention On International Multimodal Transport Of Goods
• Draft Convention On Combined Transport ("Tokyo Rules")
• Uniform Rules For A Combined Transport Document
• Rules For Multimodal Transport Documents
• United Nations Convention On The Liability Of Operators Of Transport Terminals In International Trade
• CMI Uniform Rules For Sea Waybills
• CMI Draft Instrument on Transport Law
• Rules For Electronic Bills Of Lading
• International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Relating To The Carriage Of Passengers By Sea
• Convention Relating To The Carriage Of Passengers And Their Luggage By Sea
• Protocol To The (1974) Convention Relating To The Carriage Of Passengers And Their Luggage By Sea
• Protocol Of 1990 To Amend The Athens Convention Relating To The Carriage Of Passengers And Their Luggage By Sea, 1974
• Protocol Of 2002 To The Athens Convention Relating To The Carriage Of Passengers And Their Luggage By Sea, 1974
  

Collision And Maritime Casualty

• International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Of Law With Respect To Collision Between Vessels
• International Convention On Certain Rules Concerning Civil Jurisdiction In Matters Of Collision
• International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Relating To Penal Jurisdiction In Matters Of Collisions Or Other Incidents Of Navigation
• Draft Rules For The Assessment Of Damages In Maritime Collisions
• Draft International Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Concerning Civil Jurisdiction, Choice Of Law, And Recognition And Enforcement Of Judgm
• International Convention On Maritime Search And Rescue, Hamburg, April 27, 1979
• Draft International Convention On Wreck Removal Imo Legal Committee, 76th Session (Leg 76/5) London, October, 1997
• Convention For The Suppression Of Unlawful Acts Against The Safety Of Maritime Navigation, Rome, Mar. 10, 1988
• Protocol For The Suppression Of Unlawful Acts Against The Safety Of Fixed Platforms Located On The Continental Shelf, Rome, Mar. 10, 1988
  

Limitation Of Liability

• International Convention Relating To The Limitation Of The Liability Of Owners Of Sea-Going Ships
• International Convention On Limitation Of Liability For Maritime Claims
• Protocol Amending The International Convention Relating To The Limitation Of The Liability Of Owners Of Sea-Going Ships
• Protocol Of 1996 To Amend The Convention On Limitation Of Liability For Maritime Claims, 1976
  

Salvage

• Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Of Law Relating To Assistance And Salvage At Sea
• Protocol To Amend The Convention For The Unification Of Certain Rules Of Law Relating To Assistance And Salvage At Sea Signed At Brussels
• International Convention On Salvage
• Procedures And Guidelines Of The Salvage Awards Committee Of The American Institute Of Marine Underwriters
• Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage

Marine pollution

• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78)
• International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties (INTERVENTION), 1969
• Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (LDC), 1972
• International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC), 1990
• Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000 (HNS Protocol)
• International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS), 2001
• International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004
• International Convention For The Prevention Of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL 1973/1978)
• Standards For Procedures And Arrangements For The Discharge Of Noxious Liquid Substances Called For By Annex II Of MARPOL 73/78
• Guidelines For The Implementation Of Annex V Of MARPOL 73/78
• Protocol To The International Convention On Civil Liability For Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, London, November 19, 1976
• Protocol To The International Convention On Civil Liability For Oil Pollution Damage
• Protocol Of 1992 To Amend The International Convention On Civil Liability For Oil Pollution Damage, 1969
• International Convention For The Prevention Of Pollution Of The Sea By Oil
• International Convention Relating To Intervention On The High Seas In Cases Of Oil Pollution Casualties, Brussels, November 29, 1969
• Protocol To The International Convention Relating To Intervention On The High Seas In Cases Of Pollution By Substances Other Than Oil
• International Convention On The Establishment Of An International Fund For Compensation For Oil Pollution Damage
• Protocol To The International Convention On The Establishment Of An International Fund For Compensation For Oil Pollution Damage 1971, London, November 1
• Protocol To The International Convention On The Establishment Of An International Fund For Compensation For Oil Pollution Damage
• Protocol Of 1992 To Amend The International Convention On The Establishment Of An International Fund For Compensation For Oil Pollution Damage, 1971
• Convention On Pollution Of The Seas By The Dumping Of Wastes And Other Matter (With Annexes)
• 1996 Protocol To The Convention On The Prevention Of Marine Pollution By Dumping Of Wastes And Other Matter, 1972 And Resolutions Adopted By The Special
• Tanker Owners Voluntary Agreement Concerning Liability For Oil Pollution (TOVALOP)
• Contract Regarding A Supplement To Tanker Liability For Oil Pollution
• Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization: International Convention For The Safety Of Life At Sea, 1974, (Done At London, November 1, 1974)
• Solas Protocol 1988
• Liability And Compensation For Damage In Connection With The Carriage Of Hazardous And Noxious Substances By Sea, 1996
• Protocol On Preparedness, Response And Co-Operation To Pollution Incidents By Hazardous And Noxious Substances, 2000 (Hns Protocol) (London, 15 March 200
• Draft International Convention On The Establishment Of An International Insurance Scheme For Compensation For Damage Resulting From The Carriage Of Noxio
• International Safety Management (Ism) Code
• 18.27. International Convention On The Control Of Harmful Anti- Fouling Systems On Ships (London, 5 October 2001)
  

MORE AGREEMENTS

• International Convention on Limitation of Liability of Owners of Seagoing Vessels
• International Maritime Jurisdiction And The Law Of The Sea
• Convention On The Territorial Sea And The Contiguous Zone, Geneva, April 29, 1958
• Convention On The High Seas, Geneva, April 29, 1958
• Convention On The Continental Shelf, Geneva, April 29, 1958
• Convention On Fishing And Conservation Of The Living Resources Of The High Seas, Geneva, April 29, 1958
• United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Sea, Montego Bay, December 10, 1982
• Convention On The International Maritime Organization, Geneva, March 6, 1948
• Convention And Statute On The International Regime Of Maritime Ports, Geneva, December 9, 1923
• United Nations Convention On Conditions For Registration Of Ships, Geneva, February 7, 1986
• Agreement Relating To The Implementation Of Part XI Of The United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Sea Of 10 December, 1982
• Guidance To Assist Flag States In The Self-Assessment Of Their Performance
• Procedures For Port State Control
• Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), 1965
• International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (TONNAGE), 1969
• Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA), 1988
• International Convention on Salvage (SALVAGE), 1989