Maritime & Shipping Law

Maritime and Shipping law is concerned with the contracts, rules and regulations of international trade by sea. It is a body of laws, conventions, and treaties that govern private maritime business and other nautical matters, such as shipping or offences which occur on open waters.

Maritime law follows a separate code and is an independent jurisdiction from national laws. There are numerous conventions that can be enforced by the navies and coast guards of countries that have signed treaties outlining these rules. Maritime law governs many of the insurance claims relating to ships and cargo; civil matters between shipowners, seamen, and passengers; and piracy. Maritime law also regulates registration, license, and inspection procedures for ships and shipping contracts; maritime insurance; and the carriage of goods and passengers.