The title 'Commercial Maritime Law' is a misnomer. There is a patchwork of different commercial maritime laws around the world. However, the title is a true reflection of what many legal scholars and practitioners in the field have long desired: a common framework of commercial maritime law. This book unravels the complexities of bridging the gap between common law and civil law and will discuss whether the title will remain a misnomer despite the countless attempts at harmonisation. Internationally renowned legal scholars and practitioners discuss herein the areas in which the common law and civil law are divided; the impact of these differences on the drafting and ratification of international conventions; the search for a common framework; and the procedural aspects of the common law and civil law divide embedded within commercial maritime law.
The Chinese maritime and shipping market has been expanding enormously in recent times as its commercial capacity to perform shipping, ship building, banking and insurance activities grows and the role of the State as guarantor of commerce is gradually reduced. This book provides a detailed guide to current Chinese maritime law, written by an expert team of contributors and systematically covering key areas such as carriage of goods by sea, international trade, vessels and seafarers and maritime liabilities. The authors explore cutting-edge issues within each topic, and analyse current trends in law reform. The book will be of interest to academics researching commercial and maritime law, as well as maritime law practitioners and shipping industry professionals working with aspects of Chinese maritime practice.
The Commercial Shipping Handbook is an invaluable reference tool for anyone involved in international trade and a first step towards understanding the framework within which the international movement of goods by sea is conducted. The handbook gives concise explanations of the many activities that comprise shipping, explaining the terms and how they interrelate. Areas covered include: Documents used in international transport by sea e.g. the bill of lading and the charter-party – what they contain, the different types and examples of each Generic types of ships, cargoes, containers and ports Details of all the major maritime associations prominent in contract drafting and policy making, together with a brief explanation of their objectives The many extra costs and surcharges found in shipping, particularly in liner shipping Chartering terms, an explanation of each and their context Clauses appearing in bills of lading, in voyage charters and time charters Technical elements of shipping as they relate to the commercial operation of ships, for example tides and draughts Examples of principal documents Discussing over 1250 commercial shipping terms, this book will be an essential reference for all shipowners, charterers, managers and brokers and will also be of use to legal, insurance and banking professionals.
Both China and Europe have a long tradition of commercial and maritime law; and this new book examining various topics from their particular perspectives is both timely and important. It links the vital component of maritime law with commercial law, financial law and trade policy. The book has performed a remarkable task in making connections between China and Europe through the lenses of substantive and procedrual laws, covering a wide range of areas, including commercial law, insurance law, salvage, EU maritime law and Brexit, carriage of goods by sea, arbitration, mediation, litigation, the recently formed China International Commercial Court, and different liability regimes, as well as a brief look forward into new initiatives and artificial intelligence in the digital age. In these challenging times, we all have much to learn from each other in seeking to find answers to what are often difficult problems. This book provides a welcome opportunity for anyone interested in commercial and maritime law to engage in that learning exercise and, looking ahead, thereby to help solve such problems as may arise in the future – in a practical and fair manner. It is therefore of great relevance to both the academic field and the legal practice field in China and Europe.
Theory, Law and Practice of Maritime Arbitration The Case of International Contracts for the Carriage of Goods by Sea Eva Litina It is estimated that over 80% of global trade by volume is carried by sea, making maritime transport a cornerstone of the global economy. Most disputes in the shipping industry are settled by distinctive, private arbitral proceedings that are best understood by a close examination of the standard form contracts that are used in practice and of the case law arising therefrom. Extrapolating insightfully from these sources, the author of this book examines in depth the phenomenon of maritime arbitration with a specific focus on contracts for the carriage of goods by sea. She offers the first comprehensive and comparative analysis of arbitral practice in the three jurisdictions where the most frequently selected maritime arbitral seats are located: London, New York, and Singapore. An analysis of the applicable rules and relevant case law in each jurisdiction provides the basis from which a comparative assessment of maritime arbitral seats is achieved. The book addresses the following key aspects of maritime arbitration: maritime arbitration’s definition, origins, theoretical underpinnings, socioeconomic context, and significance; the maritime-specific reasons for wide use of ad hoc versus institutional arbitration; the international instruments governing arbitration in contracts for the carriage of goods by sea; the shipping industry’s pursuit of self-regulation via standard form contracts; the arbitration agreement contained in standard form charterparties and bills of lading; maritime arbitration’s unique approach to judicial review, confidentiality, and arbitrator impartiality; the specific dispute resolution objectives that compel a comparative assessment of maritime arbitral seats; and the future of maritime arbitration in light of international political, financial, and technological developments. In addition to the three main maritime arbitral seats, the analysis touches on maritime arbitration in other relevant jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong, Greece, Japan, and Korea, thus affording a comparison of the process in common and civil law jurisdictions. The book concludes by considering the potential impact of the current international political landscape, and suggesting future perspectives and research in international maritime arbitration. An important addition to scholarship in this field of law, the book’s thorough assessment of the merits of the competing maritime arbitral seats—and its specific focus on maritime disputes—will prove of significant importance to arbitrators, law firms, in-house counsel of shipping companies, international organizations, and arbitration institutions and associations. Practitioners will discover all tools necessary to examine any case before the main maritime arbitral seats with full awareness of each applicable legal regime and its distinguishing features.
This book provides valuable insights into various contemporary issues in public and private maritime law, including interdisciplinary aspects. The public law topics addressed include public international law and law of the sea, while a variety of private law topics are explored, e.g. commercial maritime law, conflict of laws, and new developments in the application of advanced technologies to maritime law issues. In addition, the book highlights current and topical discussions at international maritime forums such as the International Maritime Organization on regulatory and private law matters within the domain of marine environmental law, the law respecting seafarers’ affairs and maritime pedagogics, maritime security, comparative law in the maritime field, trade law, recent case law analysis, taxation law in the maritime context, maritime arbitration, carriage of passengers, port law, and limitation of liability.
