LAW AND PROCEDURE FOR SECURING AND ENFORCING MARITIME CLAIMS UNDER THE NIGERIAN LAW

Abstract

Among the traditional principles of international maritime still in use today are maritime insurance, general average and salvage. The welfare of the seaman, the ancient concept of maintenance and cure is also still in use. The reason for the continuation in the use of ancient principles is that the hazard of seafaring has not changed. In the last decades, however, naval architecture and cargo handling have changed in significant ways. The extensive use of crude oil carriers as well as carriers of liquefied natural gas posed new hazards and new questions for liability for oil pollution and damage to the marine ecology and the shorelines. This paper has examined the various types of claims and the procedure for filling such claims. The writers adopted doctrinal research method which methodology placed whole reliance on primary and secondary sources. Some observations and recommendations were made in line with the suggestions proffered by the writers in the course of the research.