Moldova is integrating into the international maritime legal system and will accede to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims and the 1996 Protocol amending it
Specifically, the Parliament voted in the first reading to have Moldova accede to the aforementioned Convention and the Protocol amending it, which were adopted by the International Maritime Organization in London on November 19, 1976, and May 2, 1996, respectively. Thus, our country is integrating into the international maritime legal system by establishing uniform rules that ensure the protection of ship-owners, ship operators, persons on board, and port infrastructure. This will provide a higher degree of predictability for maritime creditors. With the practical implementation of the aforementioned convention, Moldovan vessels or vessels transiting through our country’s ports will be able to operate under limited liability, which will promote bilateral investment and partnership. In addition, Moldovan ship-owners will benefit from the same limitations on liability as other international operators, thereby avoiding discrimination in bilateral relations. Authorities note that the aforementioned convention facilitates bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as it provides a common legal framework for dispute resolution and the mitigation of commercial risks, while ensuring predictability for our country’s partners in maritime transport and reducing the risk of costly litigation. According to statistics, 335,169 thousand tons of cargo were transported across the territory of Moldova in 2018–2024, of which only 3.17% was by river transport. The bill will be put to a vote in Parliament in the second reading. // 20.03.2026 — InfoMarket
