Maritime cabotage has been a topic of discussion on various platforms as a driver in promoting intra-regional trade. In a recent forum organized in September 2019 by Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping (ISCOS), that brought together various representatives from the Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, various issues were discussed among which was,‘ the continued need for the application of cabotage against the increasing role of shipping in promoting intra-regional trade’. It was noted that, cabotage laws were being applied all over the world with a purpose of protecting national interest especially indigenous shipping business. In some cases, these laws were being flexibly applied when demand for ships becomes higher than the available ships ina given territory. In this case, ships in the other territories would be given permission to trade beyond its territory for a specified period. In principle, cabotage laws in Eastern Coastal states needed to be reviewed so that the region can have a regional cabotage policy.