The focus of this work is on a single source of pollution, namely that by vessels from the perspective of the coastal state. This implies that exercises of jurisdiction with other objectives, for example security, are in general not dealt with even though these could also impede or entirely frustrate navigation. State practice is given a prominent place in this study. Relevant collective state practice exists in the form of bilateral or multilateral conventions or other international instruments, such as IMO Resolutions. Individual state practice can consist of unilateral declarations, legislation, and actual exercises of enforcement. The book gives insight into the way in which the LOSC legal regime of coastal state jurisdiction over vessel-source pollution operates in practice. Safeguards form an inseparable part of the jurisdictional balance in general, and that of enforcement jurisdiction in particular. The jurisdictional balance for vessel-source pollution in the LOSC is complemented by an innovative system of dispute settlement.
The wide range of issues brought forward illustrates the extremely complex, but equally fascinating character of coastal state jurisdiction over vessel-source pollution.