ARREST OF SHIPS ESTONIAN MARITIME: LAW AND PRACTICE UNDER REVIEW

Abstract

This article is written solely by the author as the primary expert on the basic elements of the arrest of ships and is devoted to the general analysis of past and present international commitments and national legislation of Estonia concerning the arrest of ships. This has been conducted without thoroughly dealing with the contradictory and disputable court and bailiff practice in this century, which has been covered in detail by Indrek Nuut and Indra Kaunis. The analysis conducted on this important topic shows unequivocally that revision of the existing law is imminent and definitely necessary not only in order to meet the interests of the creditors of shipping but also to improve the image of Estonia as arrest issues have arisen with foreign flagged vessels. Therefore, the arrest of ships calling on Estonian ports or terminals is prevalent as an international commercial law problem, not a domestic one.