Legal Definitions - law of shipping

The law of shipping is a specific branch of law that governs all legal matters related to ships and their activities. It encompasses the rules and regulations concerning how ships are constructed, outfitted, registered, owned, maintained, and used for transporting goods and people. This legal field also addresses the rights, responsibilities, and duties of individuals involved in shipping, such as ship captains (often called shipmasters), shipping agents, crew members, and the legal aspects surrounding the goods (cargo) being transported.

Here are some examples to illustrate the law of shipping:

• Imagine a company that designs and builds large container ships. If they enter into a contract with an international shipping line to construct a new vessel, and a dispute arises regarding the quality of materials used or a significant delay in the ship's delivery, the law of shipping would govern the terms of that contract, the construction standards, and the resolution of any legal claims between the builder and the owner. This covers the "building" and "owning" aspects of ships.

• Consider a situation where a crew member working on a commercial fishing trawler suffers a serious injury while at sea due to faulty equipment. The law of shipping would determine their rights to medical treatment, compensation, and potential claims against the vessel's owner or operator. This specifically addresses the "laws applicable to ... crews" and their employment conditions and safety at sea.

• Suppose a manufacturing company ships a large consignment of electronic components from Asia to Europe. If the cargo arrives at its destination damaged because the shipping company failed to properly secure the containers, or if the shipment is significantly delayed due to a navigational error by the ship's master, the law of shipping would dictate the liability of the carrier, the rights of the cargo owner to claim damages, and the legal responsibilities of the ship's captain. This illustrates the legal framework around "transporting" and "cargoes."