cabotage
KAB-uh-tahzh
/ˈkæb.ə.tɑːʒ/
The transport of goods or passengers between two ports or places in the same country by a foreign transport operator, or laws restricting this rights.
Usually refers to statutory legal restrictions (cabotage laws) protecting domestic shipping companies from foreign competition.
The story behind the word. Derived from French 'caboter' (to sail from cape to cape along the coast without going out to open sea), which originated from Spanish 'cabo' (cape). Historically, coastal traders navigated by hopping from one headland or cape to another along the shore.
Word relationships
- coastal trading: 'Coastal trading' describes the physical act of shipping along coastlines, whereas 'cabotage' is the legal term specifically governing domestic transport rights.
Commonly confused with
- sabotage: 'Sabotage' is deliberate damage or destruction, whereas 'cabotage' is coastal navigation trade regulation.
Collocations
- cabotage laws
- cabotage restrictions
- coastal cabotage
- cabotage rights
- cabotage policy
Example sentences
- "Strict cabotage regulations in the United States require goods shipped between domestic ports to be carried on US-built and flagged vessels." Maritime law regulation
- "Proponents of reforming cabotage laws argue that opening coastal transport to foreign vessels would reduce domestic freight costs." Trade policy debate
Memory hook
CABOTAGE: Imagine a ship sailing from CABO (cape) to CABO along a single country's coast. Cape-to-cape domestic trade.
When not to use
Do not use for international trade between two different sovereign nations.
Fun facts
- In the United States, cabotage is regulated by the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the 'Jones Act'.
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