This book arose from my doctoral thesis written during my time as a scholar of the
International Max Planck School for Maritime Affairs in Hamburg.
Upon its publication, I am in particular indebted to the International Max Planck
Research School for Maritime Affairs. The time as a scholar of the Research School
broadened my field of knowledge in maritime law much beyond the topic of my
own subject of research and granted valuable insights into the shipping reality. I am
grateful to my supervisor Prof. Dr. Ulrich Magnus for his continuous support and
sound advice. I am grateful also to the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and
International Private Law in Hamburg for putting its facilities and administrative
support at the disposal of me and the other scholars of the Research School. In
particular, I would like to thank Michael Friedman at the Institute for proof-reading.
I would like also to use this opportunity to express my appreciation for having been
given the chance to spend the last years in the good company of and with support of
my fellow scholars and associates of the Research School. Without you, many days
spent at the Institute would not have passed by as fast and many evenings time spent
outside of the Institute been much less enjoyable. Last but not least, thank you
Adrian for always being there.