This book examines the concept of nationality of means of transportation by placing it in the general framework of jurisdiction in international law and reassesses what nationality is and how it is conferred.
The various means of transportation ships, aircraft, and spacecraft on which nationality can be conferred are considered, looking at the law of the sea conventions and air and space treaties. The book then analyses the legal status of international organizations to determine whether the right to register a means of transportation, which is a question of jurisdiction, is exclusively reserved to States and whether, and under what conditions, international organizations may also act as a 'State' of registration.
It goes on to distinguish between means of transportation that are registered in a State and used by an international organization such as a vessel on official mission for an international organization and means of transportation registered by international organizations and the concrete legal regime applicable on board the latter.