1 Concept, Sources, and International Organizations Relating to Shipping Law

Subject(s):

NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) — Maritime boundaries — Seafarers — Nationality of ships — Straits

This chapter examines the different concepts, sources, and international organizations relating to shipping law. It analyses the various international maritime conventions than constitute shipping law, such as ship registration and maritime liens and mortgages. It then describes the two types of international maritime organizations: intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The intergovernmental maritime entities such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are exclusively composed of Member States, although some private organizations may be invited to participate as observers in working groups depending on the agenda. On the other hand, intergovernmental maritime organizations are made up of private companies. Both types have contributed to produce sources of maritime law, unification of the rules and guidelines, and criteria to avoid problems of interpretation.