ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses attention on a wide range of both national and international shipping and trade organizations which exist to facilitate the development of international shipping and promote professionalism at all levels and in all activities. Understandably the number of organizations annually tend to increase and existing ones change their focus to respond to a changing international shipping and trade scene embracing technology, political, economic and commercial factors. Safety remains paramount in the conduct and operation of a maritime fleet and its interface operations. Attention is focused in this chapter on the WTO and former GATT Uruguay round of trade negotiations.
