Principles of Determining Ship Nationality (A Comparative Study)

Abstract

Abstract: The ship is the lifeline of maritime navigation. It is one of the means of maritime transport since ancient times, characterized by ease and appropriate financial cost. The ship has a different legal nature due to its legal specificity. Also, granting citizenship to the ship has become one of the necessary issues to ensure the safety of maritime security, as granting citizenship to the ship gives many privileges that may be economic or legal. of a specific nationality of a ship has negative effects, reduces the rights of workers on board the ship, and weakens the control of ships. Therefore, most legislations have permitted the granting of nationality to ships due to the necessity of this matter in cross-border trade and the international economy. However, countries have differed in challenging the criterion by which nationality is granted to a ship, between the criterion of national ownership, the nationality of the crew, and the place of construction of the ship.