Because the liability of ship owners is limited, classification societies have been considered as exempt from liability. This book analyses which actions of classification societies may give rise to claims and whether or not the societies can be held liable under English, German or American maritime law. In addition, it develops the fundamental aspects of an international convention on the limitation of the liability of classification societies.
With the worldwide upsurge of lawsuits against classification societies, their liability towards third parties has become one of the most contentious issues in contemporary maritime law. Against this background, the authors analyze potential third-party claims and examine to what extent classification societies may limit their liability. The study highlights the development in Australian, English, French, New Zealand, U.S. and German law.
Because the liability of ship owners is limited, classification societies have been considered as exempt from liability. This book analyses which actions of classification societies may give rise to claims and whether or not the societies can be held liable under English, German or American maritime law. In addition, it develops the fundamental aspects of an international convention on the limitation of the liability of classification societies.
The purpose of this book is to provide a clear guide to tort law, examining the main principles and areas of the subject. It includes text emphasizing the main issues of liability. The text incorporates relevant materials, extracts from leading judgments, articles and reports of review bodies on tort law. It should prove especially useful for those who do not have access to a law library, as for those whose library is under severe pressure from users. It will be useful to those participating in seminars and tutorials and will enable them to take part in a good level of discussion. This new edition of Sourcebook on Torts has been fully revised and incorporates the Human Rights Act 1998. The effect of the European Courts decision in Osman is now being felt, as is evident from the judgments of the House of Lords in Barrett v Enfield BC. The Law Commission's proposals on liability for psychiatric illness are included. Developments in the tort of nuisance, the defence of qualified privilege and damages are also scrutinized. Several Law Commission reports and the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 are also extracted, as are other new pieces of legislation, such as the Damages Act 1996 and the Defamation Act 1996.
Both volumes present an in depth analysis of actual marine insurance relative to hull insurance, cargo insurance and P&I insurance. The impact of European law on marine insurance and, more specifically, European Competition Rules in relation to P&I insurance are covered. In addition, specific issues such as the future Belgian Marine Insurance statute and the Antwerp Marine Policy are dealt with. The subjects are covered in a broad comparative law perspective, combining practice and theory. Also topics such as the ISM code and its relation to marine insurance and the position of classification societies and quality insurance are considered.
Ship Construction is a comprehensive text for students following BTEC courses in nautical science, naval architecture and shipbuilding, and courses leading to BSc (Nautical Science) or Extra Masters Certificate. The author presents seven sections that begin with an introduction to ship building and conclude with the finished product. There is a concise description of all the relevant international regulations. The seven sections cover the development of ship types, materials and strengths of ships, welding and cutting, shipyard practice, ship structure and outfitting. Each section is broken down into several chapters that explore the topics in depth. The fifth edition expands further on the development of ship types over the last few years - discussion focussing on the latest views on bulk carrier safety. Welding and shipyard practices have been reviewed and revised in line with current practice. In addition, the book covers all the latest IMO and SOLAS information. Follows, chapter by chapter, the construction of a ship from start to finish. IMO and SOLAS: latest information covered. Essential for both nautical students and professional students of naval architecture.
Third-Party Certifiers Jan De Bruyne Third-party certifiers are organisations that are independent a requesting entity. They attest that a product, service, information or person possesses certain qualifications or meets safety, quality or technical standards. This important book presents an in-depth analysis of the liability and obligations of certifiers, evaluates existing certification processes in selected fields and proposes new mechanisms which could increase the accuracy and reliability of certifiers’ ratings, marks or reports. Highlighting the risks of errors in this activity – inaccurate certification was a major factor in the global financial crisis of 2008 – the author takes a comparative approach, looking at the certification process in several European countries, Australia and the United States. Such aspects of the process as the following are thoroughly described: obligations and liability of certifiers during the certification process; risk of ‘information asymmetry’ between the requesting entity and the end user; and relationship between the civil liability of certifiers and public law aspects. The analysis includes detailed research on key industries and jurisdictions and a specific proposed framework for more accurate and reliable certification. Because the efficient and effective functioning of third-party certifiers is extremely important in today’s world – especially in such areas as health, the environment, safety or economic values – this deeply researched contribution to an important area of commercial law, combining analysis of current issues with proposed reforms, will be welcomed by practitioners when confronted with legal issues with regard to the certification process. The book’s conceptual framework will also prove highly useful for policymakers charged with developing reliable certification mechanisms.
An examination of the role and responsibilities of classification societies which should be of interest to those involved in the international shipping and marine insurance industries. Classification societies are now regarded not only as monitors of the fitness and safety of vessels but also as promoters of international maritime regulations concerning safety of life, environment and property. Contributors from the UK, the US, Europe and the Far East representing the viewpoints of the societies, lawyers and underwriters cover such major issues as third party claims made against classification societies, balancing governmental obligations with economic temptations, major and subordinate obligations both implicit and explicit, immunity from liability and the ultimate liability and recent decisions and landmark cases.
Analysing the regulation of vessel-source pollution from the perspective of the political interests of key players in the ship transportation industry, this 2005 book by Alan Khee-Jin Tan offers a comprehensive and convincing account of how pollution of the marine environment by ships may be better regulated and reduced. In this timely study, he traces the history of regulation at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and investigates the political, economic and social forces influencing the IMO treaties. Also examined are the efforts of maritime states, ship-owners, cargo owners, oil companies and environmental groups to influence IMO laws and treaties. This is an important book, which uncovers the politics behind the law and offers solutions for overcoming the deficiencies in the regulatory system. It will be of great interest to professionals in the shipping industry as well as practitioners and students.
