LEGAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF SHIP MANAGEMENT IN THE LIFE CYCLE OF A MERCHANT SHIP

The life cycle of a merchant ship encompasses a broad range of managerial and legal activities, united under the concept of “ship management.” The article traces the development of the vessel from the commissioning of a project and its approval by a classification society, through construction and registration under a national flag, to its entry into service. Key aspects such as ship insurance, implementation of the ISM Code requirements, crew management, technical maintenance, and repairs are discussed. Special attention is given to the specifics of chartering the vessel under different types of charter, as well as the procedures for changing classification society or flag. Considerable attention is also paid to risk management as an integral part of the ship’s life cycle, covering both operational and legal dimensions of maritime activity. The final part analyzes the process of decommissioning and sale for scrap as the concluding stage of its life path.