Maritime Law and International Conventions
This domain tests the legal framework: UNCLOS zones, IMO certificates, flag and port State duties, and cargo liability. Kazakhstan's administration applies these instruments through national legislation, so know the instrument and the certificate.
Jurisdiction and certificates
Under UNCLOS, the territorial sea is 12 nm, the contiguous zone 24 nm, and the exclusive economic zone 200 nm. SOLAS certificates include Safety Construction, Safety Equipment, Safety Radio, and the International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate, with the ISSC issued for five years. The ISM Code produces the DOC and SMC. Hague-Visby package limitation is 666.67 SDR per package or 2 SDR per kilogram, whichever is higher.
Worked example
A cargo claim involves 100 packages weighing 20,000 kg. Package limit: 100 × 666.67 = 66,667 SDR. Weight limit: 20,000 × 2 = 40,000 SDR. The higher figure is 66,667 SDR, so that is the limitation unless the carrier has broken the contract in a way that destroys the limitation.
Traps
Confusing 12, 24, and 200 nm; treating port State control as flag State responsibility; assuming a certificate remains valid without surveys; and quoting the wrong limitation unit.