States have agreed to recommend to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elements to be considered in the development of a new treaty on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). A Preparatory Committee was tasked with advising the UNGA on the elements of a draft text of an international legally binding instrument under the UNCLOS. It recommended that the UNGA take a decision, as soon as possible, on the convening of an intergovernmental conference to consider the recommendations on the elements and elaborate the text of a treaty. The UNGA is to decide at its next session on the convening and starting date of an intergovernmental conference to elaborate on a treaty. More information is available here.
Monthly Archives: July 2017
Colloquium: Maritime Liabilities in a Regional and Global Context
The Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law at Swansea University is organizing its thirteenth International Colloquium, entitled Maritime Liabilities in a Regional and Global Context: the EU and beyond. It homes in on emerging issues and unresolved questions about all types of maritime liabilities of contemporary importance. Discussion will cover national, international, and EU dimensions, including topics such a liabilities for ship recycling, cyber risks and liabilities for marine sector or jurisdiction and choice of law after Brexit. The event is set to happen on September 4-5 2017. Registration details and more information available here.
Filed under Events
PCA: Arctic Sunrise Arbitration (Netherlands v. Russia) Award on Compensation
The Tribunal constituted under Annex VII of the UNCLOS in the matter of the Arctic Sunrise Arbitration (Netherlands v. Russia) has rendered its Award on Compensation (see previous posts here and here). In a decision dated 10 July 2017, the Tribunal unanimously determined the quantum of compensation owed by Russia to the Netherlands. The Award may be found here. The press release, which also features the quantum of compensation, may be found here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
IMO: MEPC agrees on implementation schedule for BMW Convention
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed, during its 71st session, to an implementation schedule for ships to comply with the IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, set to enter into force on 8 September 2017. More information about this agreement may be found here.
Filed under International Organizations, Treaties
PCA: Arbitration Between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia
In the arbitration concerning a territorial and maritime dispute between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia, the Tribunal issued a unanimous Final Award on 29 June 2017.
For more information see the Final Award, press release and case page. Croatia has responded it is not bound by the Final Award and shall not implement it, here. Slovenia’s responses may be found here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
UK: withdrawal from London Fisheries Convention to be triggered
The UK Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, has announced the UK shall notify the other Member States of its withdrawal from the London Fisheries Convention on 3 July 2017, triggering a two-year withdrawal period.
For more information see the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs press release and the London Fisheries Convention.
Filed under Treaties
De Maribus 