Understanding Short Sea Transportation Trade: A Legal Perspective
Definition & Meaning
Short sea transportation trade refers to the movement of cargo by vessel over relatively short distances. This typically involves:
- Cargo that is either contained in intermodal cargo containers, which are loaded onto the vessel using cranes, or cargo that is loaded using wheeled technology.
- Cargo that is loaded at a port in the United States and unloaded either at another port in the United States or at a Canadian port within the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System, or vice versa.
Legal Use & context
This term is relevant in maritime law and trade regulations. It is often used in discussions about shipping, logistics, and transportation law. Legal professionals may deal with short sea transportation trade in contexts such as:
- Regulatory compliance for shipping companies.
- Contracts related to shipping and cargo handling.
- Environmental regulations affecting maritime transport.
Users can manage certain aspects of short sea transportation trade using legal templates available through US Legal Forms, which are drafted by qualified attorneys.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A shipping company transports goods from a port in Chicago to a port in Detroit using a container ship. This qualifies as short sea transportation trade.
Example 2: A vessel carries cargo from Toronto, Canada, to a port in Cleveland, Ohio, utilizing wheeled technology for loading. This also falls under short sea transportation trade.
Relevant laws & statutes
Short sea transportation trade is defined under 46 USCS § 53501. This statute outlines the criteria for what constitutes short sea transportation and the legal framework surrounding it.