In the United Kingdom the maritime industry is a vital organ of the economy. Maritime trade contributes around ninety-five per cent in the United Kingdom’s international trade.
The aggregate net earnings of UK’s maritime services abroad and shipping is worth about £2.5 billion a year. The leading maritime centre of the world situates in London which dominates about one fifth of the world fleet. More than 4,500 City jobs including shipping law, banking and insurance are supported by overseas owners with agencies in the United Kingdom. The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) is stationed in London. The Department for Transport is responsible for the maritime industry in the UK. The policy of the government of UK has been designed to ensure a balance of commercial interests with safety, security and environmental considerations. Further, the policy also promotes a successful, safe and sustainable UK ports sector that meets the needs of its customers; encourage shipping companies to be British registered; implement and influence European Union legislation and ensure efficient delivery and modernization of marine aids to navigation. A Modern Ports policy framework has been set up to ensure that development is integrated with policies of the Department for Transport on road and rail networks. Maritime and Coastguard Agency ensures that ships meet the UK and international safety rules and also works to prevent coastal pollution and to prevent the loss of lives at the coast and at sea. The British Maritime Law Association established in 1908, aims to encourage the study and advancement of British maritime and mercantile law to promote and consider (with foreign and other maritime law associations) proposals for the unification of maritime and mercantile law in the practice of different nations and to provide opportunities for members to discuss matters of national and international maritime law, etc. The Association advises the U.K. Government bodies responsible for maritime regulation and also cooperates with its international parent body, the Comite Maritime International (CMI) in research and drafting of international instruments for the purpose of harmonizing maritime and mercantile law.
