ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the ideology behind the concept of maritime cabotage. It describes the maritime cabotage legislations of selected sovereign maritime countries. The chapter identifies a theme for querying the rationales behind the different approaches of maritime cabotage adopted in these sovereign states. It shows that the general premise for enacting maritime cabotage law in many countries is strongly connected to sovereignty and economic development rationales. These two rationales represent the strongest pillars of the theoretical framework of the maritime cabotage concept. As the concept of maritime cabotage covers a wider range of commercial maritime activities, the theoretical and legislative frameworks of maritime cabotage law in many countries have become more focused on promoting the national economic development agenda. The choice of a maritime cabotage approach in a country depends very much on the theoretical framework guiding government decisions on specific issues.
