KEYWORDS: maritime law; international conventions; EU law; Croatian Maritime Code; judicial and arbitral practice; carriage by sea.

SUMMARY:

The principal goal set by this project is providing a doctrinal background for the further development of the entire maritime legislation of the Republic of Croatia, as well as for its adjustment to internationally adopted standards and the law of the European Union. The development of maritime law is of utmost significance for the economic prosperity of our country, and one of the conditions for its integration into European structures. For this reason, the permanent and systematic analysis of maritime legislation belongs equally to the short-term, as well as to the long-term strategies of scientific research in the Republic of Croatia.

The current maritime regulations in Croatia by no means fall behind the regulations of the leading maritime states. The new Croatian Maritime Code entered into force in December 2004. It is necessary to follow how this integral and systematic legislative codex is applied to domestic judicial practice and business. However, new international instruments of unification will be adopted after its entering into force. New trends and legal solutions are already in view in some important domains, such as the carriage of goods by sea; safety of navigation; pollution of marine environment; electronic transport documents; etc.

Therefore, it will be essential to amend or modify the provisions of the new Code in conformity with internationally adopted standards. Having in mind the efforts of the Republic of Croatia to accede to the European Union, the project researchers shall put special emphasis on the adjustment of the Croatian Maritime Code to the law of the European Union. Particular attention will also be paid to the study of current solutions in comparative law, as well as to the international codification and unification of maritime law. Taking into consideration modern trends in the transport sector, the project researchers shall carry out a comparative analysis of relevant institutes in different branches of transport.

Project financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.