12.10 The regulatory role of the co

12.10 The regulatory role of the coastal states
Now we come to the ‘coastal states’ and the part they play in regulating merchant
shipping. As the wider use of flags of convenience has diluted the supervisory role
of the flag states, the coastal states have played an increasingly important part in
the regulatory system. The 1982 Law of the Sea Convention permits coastal states
to legislate for the ‘good conduct’ of ships in their territorial seas, but otherwise
not to interfere with them. The Convention lists eight specific areas in which
legislation is permitted. The main ones are safety of navigation; protection of
navigational aids; preservation of the environment and prevention, reduction and
control of pollution; and the prevention of infringement of customs and sanitary
laws, etc. From an economic viewpoint the two areas in which legislation has been
most significant are safety and pollution.