Navigating the Waters of Commerce: A Deep Dive into the Ethiopian Maritime Code
Navigating the Waters of Commerce: A Deep Dive into the Ethiopian Maritime Code. Ethiopia, despite being a landlocked nation, possesses a robust maritime legal framework. This may seem counterintuitive, but Ethiopia's historical ties to the sea, its reliance on maritime transport through neighboring countries, and its participation in international maritime conventions necessitate a comprehensive legal structure governing maritime activities. The Ethiopian Maritime Code, the subject of the attached PDF, is the cornerstone of this legal framework. Historical Context and the Need for a Maritime Code While Ethiopia itself does not have a coastline, its economic activities are intricately linked to maritime trade. 1 Historically, Ethiopia had access to the sea through Eritrea. 2 Even after Eritrea's independence, Ethiopia remains heavily reliant on ports in Djibouti, Sudan, and Kenya for its import and export activities. 3 This dependence underscores the critical need for a we...