Whether we attribute the history of Maritime law to Phoenicians or to the residence of Rhodes Island in the east of middle east 900 years BC, Maritime law was recognized by nation-states after establishment of modern Westphalian order. Related principles and concepts were codified and different special courts emerged to settle disputes among sailors and businessmen throughout the years.

Laws and regulations ratified by developed countries, most notably England, were followed not only by common wealth countries but also in all common law and civil law systems subsequently with the beginning of 20th century various international conventions on shipments, insurance, marine pollution and etc. were ratified. The problem was the so-called developing countries were absent from the beginning or they haven’t been taken into account in the process of law making. As a result, neither their needs and conditions received enough attention nor they did get the chance to introduce national regulations in order to fill the gap.  For example, Iran with its unique geographical condition, a country which is surrounded by Caspian Sea in north and Persian Gulf in south, was deprived from having a maritime regulation until 20th century. Today that maritime industry has faced so many changes, we need lawyers who are specialized in modern maritime law and related international customs. This helps us to be able to use the limited resources of national law to protect merchants in a country in which the vast majority of transportations are done through international waters.