What does 'cabotage' refer to in maritime law?

Cabotage refers specifically to the transport of goods or passengers between two points within the same country's territory. In maritime law, this term is crucial as it pertains to the legal framework that governs the movement of vessels and cargo domestically. This can include the navigation of ships along the coastline or rivers, where connections between ports happen without crossing international borders.

By focusing on domestic routes, cabotage laws often serve to protect local shipping industries from foreign competition, ensuring that local carriers can transport goods efficiently and maintain economic stability within the country. Therefore, the definition of cabotage directly aligns with the concept of transporting goods within a country.

The other options deal with broader concepts that do not capture the specific meaning of cabotage in the context of maritime law. International shipping protocols, limiting shipping competition, and regulations on foreign vessels all imply aspects of maritime operations but do not specifically define cabotage's role in domestic transport.