---
title: "International Maritime Conventions"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/aviation-and-maritime-law-en/international-maritime-conventions-en"
field: "Aviation & Maritime Law"
description: "International maritime disputes: which country's law governs general average, collisions and salvage under the Code. Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-15"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# International Maritime Conventions

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/aviation-and-maritime-law-en/international-maritime-conventions-en

## Cross-Border Maritime Disputes and the Georgian Code

A maritime dispute almost always carries a foreign element: the ship flies another state's flag, the cargo originates from another country, the incident occurs on the high seas, and the parties are residents of different states. That is why the first question to be settled in such a dispute is which country's legislation applies. The Maritime Code of Georgia answers this directly, with connecting-factor rules for individual relationships — Articles 19, 20, 23, 298 and 321 of the Code govern general average, collisions of ships, salvage and damage caused by pollution of the sea. Here the Georgian Code carries the national expression of the international maritime order: its rules regulate the same situations that international maritime practice knows, and it is precisely these norms that apply in a Georgian court or at the enforcement stage.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/aviation-and-maritime-law-en/international-maritime-conventions-en

### Which law governs general average?

That of the country whose port the ship entered after the event; where all parties are Georgian residents — Georgian legislation.

### What rule applies to collisions?

In territorial waters — the law of the place; before a Georgian forum on the high seas — the Code's rules; for same-flag ships — the flag state's law.

### Who answers for pollution of the sea?

The shipowner or the person defined by the Code, including preventive costs.

### What is a salvage operation?

Any act in any waters to rescue persons, a ship or property in danger.