What is cabotage transportation?

Cabotage is the transport of goods within the same country but involving a foreign carrier. This type of transport is regulated by national and international laws and often requires special permits.

For example, if a foreign Polish transport company delivers cargo to Ukraine and then within Ukraine transports another cargo between two cities, this would be considered cabotage transport.

In Ukraine, penalties are provided for violations in cabotage transport, which are regulated by the country's legislation. The main provisions on this issue are contained in the Law of Ukraine "On Road Traffic" and other legal acts regulating road transport.

Specific details of cabotage road transport include:

🟢Regulation and permits: In many countries short sea transport is regulated to protect national transport companies. Foreign carriers often need to obtain special permits to undertake such transport.

🟢Rules and restrictions: Each country can set its own rules and restrictions on the number and frequency of short sea shipping. For example, the EU has its own rules that allow foreign carriers to carry out up to three short sea operations within seven days of an international carriage.

🟢Competition and market protection: Cabotage restrictions are aimed at preventing unfair competition and ensuring employment of local carriers.

Therefore, cabotage road transport plays an important role in regulating international logistics and maintaining a balance in national transport markets.