Maritime Commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Maritime Commerce - Essay Example The late 17th century saw the entrenchment of the United Kingdom as the supreme master of the world seas. Specifically by 1880, UK had proudly showcased the world's largest naval and mercantile fleets as well as the biggest overseas empire the world has ever seen since Alexander the Great (Killingray 2004, p. 1). The Industrial Revolution and the expanding slave trade necessitated an increased exportation of manufactured goods. Outside UK, the rest of the world was flung in a global system of expanding commerce. All of these necessitated navigation laws, maritime trade laws and international conflict of laws to settle the increasing strife and contentions between the parties to maritime trade i.e. the common carriers , the shippers and the consignees who most of the time represented buyers or importers of products. Today, maritime trade has been complicated with the maritime transportation of hazardous cargoes that brings about degradation in the world ecological and environmental system not to mention wanton destruction, ruin and loss of lives. With the onset of g