The concept of “ship”: an Italian perspective

From the time of the Vikings and ancient Greeks to modern times, ships have played a key role in the course of human events, in times of peace and war. Over the centuries, ships have undergone many changes in design, structure, technical characteristics, and also in the functions they perform. This in turn has led to the need for a renewed and deeper enquiry into the concept of a “ship” as referred to in national law and international conventions. Such an enquiry is of prime importance, as it affects matters related to law and economics – insurance regulation, environmental protection, and international trade – and transverses the interests of different stakeholders. For these reasons this article analyses the concept of “ship” against the backdrop of some of the related legal issues.