Because marine governance in most countries is sectoral, maritime policies are frequently fragmented, reactive, and even contradictory, meaning that marine resources are underutilized and poorly protected. To avoid these problems, the concept of integrated national maritime policy (INMP) has been developed. This book examines this concept, analysing its current application in four countries – Australia, Canada, UK and USA – whilst discussing at length how it might be applied to Saudi Arabia. Based on extensive fieldwork carried out in Saudi Arabia – including interviews with officials in government departments with maritime responsibilities, and a survey administered to 230 stakeholders – the book offers a unique insight into INMP in the Kingdom. The book provides a practical template for developing the political will and civil constituency in Saudi Arabia necessary for the introduction of INMP. In setting out in detail its benefits, this book could help build the momentum in Saudi Arabia required to implement the concept as well as attract other countries to do the same. A significant contribution to the growing literature on ocean governance, this book will be of great importance to policy makers and scholars of Middle Eastern studies, marine governance and comparative politics.

The past ten years have seen rapid growth in the economic and maritime importance of the Arabian GCC states and an equally rapid modernisation of their domestic laws. Nevertheless, much of the maritime law and procedure in the region remains unknows or misunderstood both outside and even inside the region. Since the region is likely to remain significant in terms of maritime commerce, a better understanding of the law and regulations is required. The Maritime Laws of Arabian Gulf Cooperation States is intended as a guide not only for lawyers concerned with maritime law in the Gulf region, but also for all sectors of the shipping community with an involvement in the region. After a brief description of the historical maritime and legal background, Volume I discusses in detail the operation and application of GCC maritime law. The major areas are analysed and placed in the context of the accepted regime of international maritime law. The author finally draws some important general conclusions and looks to the future of maritime law in the Gulf - including the movement for the unification of the laws of the GCC. Volume II of the work contains translations of the major GCC maritime legislation as well as tables if International Conventions that have been ratified by the GCC States.

The title 'Commercial Maritime Law' is a misnomer. There is a patchwork of different commercial maritime laws around the world. However, the title is a true reflection of what many legal scholars and practitioners in the field have long desired: a common framework of commercial maritime law. This book unravels the complexities of bridging the gap between common law and civil law and will discuss whether the title will remain a misnomer despite the countless attempts at harmonisation. Internationally renowned legal scholars and practitioners discuss herein the areas in which the common law and civil law are divided; the impact of these differences on the drafting and ratification of international conventions; the search for a common framework; and the procedural aspects of the common law and civil law divide embedded within commercial maritime law.