SafeSeas shall host a webinar, entitled, What are the root causes of maritime piracy?, 29 April 2021 (online).
For more information see here.
Yearly Archives: 2021
Webinar: EU International Ocean Governance Forum 2021
The European Commission in association with the European External Action Service shall host an event, entitled, EU International Ocean Governance Forum 2021: Setting the Course for a Sustainable Blue Planet, 20 April 2021 (online).
For more information see here (registration closes 19 April 2021).
Filed under Events
Webinar: Piracy, Kidnap and Ransom on Africa’s Seas
The Chatham House Africa Programme shall host a webinar, entitled, Piracy, Kidnap and Ransom on Africa’s Seas: Risks and Policy Options, 15 April 2021 (online).
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Call for Abstracts: Environmental Law and Governance
The Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law Governance shall host the IX Strathclyde Postgradate Colloquium on Environmental Law and Governance, 2-3 June 2021 (online). Abstracts are welcome until 15 April 2021, while the organizers “encourage in particular presentations that touch upon climate change law and governance in the run up to COP 26 and on ocean law and governance topics linked to the One Ocean Hub“.
For more information see here.
Vacancy: researchers at the National University of Singapore
The Centre for Maritime Law (CML) at the National University of Singapore is inviting applications from suitable candidates, who are at the beginning of their professional careers, to conduct research and to participate in the work of the centre. Depending on qualifications, background and expertise, suitable applicants will be appointed as a Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Fellow, or Senior Research Fellow.
Applications are invited from those with interests in any branch of commercial maritime or shipping law or admiralty law or marine insurance law, including the international sale of goods carried by sea, maritime conflict of laws, maritime dispute resolution (including maritime arbitration, especially in Asia), and offshore oil and gas law. A demonstrated passion for contemporary research on maritime law (such as autonomous shipping, the impact of COVID–19 on the maritime sector, ship finance in the 21st century, and decarbonisation and the shipping industry) may be an advantage. The closing date for the receipt of applications and references is 30 April 2021. Further information can be found here.
Filed under Vacancies
Webinar: Interpreting Seaspiracy
Hakai Magazine shall host a webinar, entitled, Interpreting Seaspiracy, 8 April 2021 (online).
Filed under Events
Vacancy: postdoctoral research associate at Kiel University
The Walther Schücking Institute for International Law (WSI) at the University of Kiel (Germany) seeks a postdoctoral research associate for an interdisciplinary third-party funded project on marine carbon dioxide removal and relating synthesis of knowledge (ASMASYS). This is a three year position, starting August 2021. Deadline for applicants is 17 May 2021. More details can be found here.
Filed under Vacancies
Webinar: Private Oil Companies Operating in Contested Waters
The Department of Law at the University of Cyprus shall host a research seminar, entitled, Private Oil Companies Operating in Contested Waters and International Law of the Sea: A Peculiar Relationship, 7 April 2021 (online).
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Call for Papers: Straits
The University of the Littoral Opal Coast (France) has issued a call for papers, entitled, Détroits (Straits): An interdisciplinary and international perspective, in anticipation of a symposium to be held 24-26 November 2021 in Boulogne-sur-Mer (France). Abstracts are welcome until 31 May 2021.
For more information see here.
ITLOS: Amendment to the Rules of the Tribunal
On 25 March 2021, pursuant to the Statute of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Article 16, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has amended the Rules of the Tribunal (2020 Edition), namely Articles 4-7, 11-13, 16, 19, 31, 36, 39, 42, 45, 76 and 136 (entered into force, 25 March 2021). ITLOS/Press 314 confirms the Rules were amended “with a view to rendering them gender inclusive”. Therefore, references to “he” are now preceded by “she or”, and references to “him” or “his” are now preceded by “her or”. Where possible, “he” is replaced by an office title, such as the President (Article 45) or the Registrar (Article 136). ITLOS does not however have competence to amend the references to he/his/him in the Statute (Article 41, amendments).
For more information see the Amendments (25 March 2021). Note, the differences in language require slightly difference amendments to the french text, Amendments (25 Mars 2021).
Filed under International Organizations, Treaties
Moot Court: China International Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition, 2021
The Chinese Society for the Law of the Sea is organizing another edition of its International Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition. This year it will be hosted by the Wuhan University China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies and it is scheduled to take place on 23-24 October 2021 in Wuhan, China. This competition simulates proceedings under Part XV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Court of Justice or an Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal. Registration deadline is 20 May 2021. More information is available here.
Filed under Competitions
Conference: Bioprospecting, Biodiversity and Novel Uses of Marine Resources
The University of Gothenburg is hosting a conference entitled Bioprospecting, Biodiversity and Novel Uses of Marine Resources – New approaches in international law. This conference aims to enable a discussion among legal academics on the implications for international law of these novel uses of marine resources in four thematic areas: 1) governance perspectives, 2) areas beyond national jurisdiction, 3) contracts, information and genetic resources, and 4) regional perspectives. This event is set to happen online, 30 March 2021. More information is available here.
Filed under Events
ICJ: Non-Participation of Kenya during Somalia v. Kenya hearings
By letter dated 11 March 2021, the Agent of Kenya in the case concerning Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya) informed the ICJ that Kenya would not be participating in the hearings, including the reasons for its non-participation. Kenya requested “the opportunity to address the ICJ orally before the commencement of the hearings” and enclosed a 175 page ‘Position Paper’ “for consideration by the Judges even as the hearing proceeds without Kenya’s participation”. Somalia opposed both requests and the ICJ “[h]aving considered the views of the Parties, the Court decided not to grant either of the two requests made by Kenya”. Despite Kenya’s non-participation, hearings proceed on 15-24 March 2021 and the ICJ “has available to it the Counter-Memorial and Rejoinder filed by Kenya, as well as multiple volumes of materials that were produced by Kenya”.
For more information see the Verbatim record 2021/2.
Filed under Jurisprudence, State Practice
Vacancy: postdoctoral position at the University of Copenhagen
Closing date is 1 May 2021 with the Center for International Law and Governance (CILG) at the Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen (Denmark), for a 3-year postdoctoral position on international climate change law and maritime transport. The position is part of the research project International Law-Making: Actors in Shipping and Climate Change (InterAct). InterAct aims to provide an account of the actors involved in the international law-making processes addressing climate change impacts of shipping, elucidating about their role and the incentives, barriers, interactions and synergies for sustainable shipping. Specifically, InterAct focuses on market-based measures and the energy transition for international maritime transport, and the regulation of shipping in the Arctic. More information on this postodoctoral position is available here.
Filed under Vacancies
Webinar: The fight against plastic pollution in international, European and comparative law
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Center for International Studies and Research (CERIC) shall host a webinar, entitled, The fight against plastic pollution in international, European and comparative law, 24 March 2021, online. The event of part of the 4th Monaco Ocean Week, held 22-28 March 2021.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Conference: Revisiting Trade, Transport, and Marine Law
The Department of Law at University of Gothenburg shall host a conference, entitled, Revisiting Trade, Transport, and Marine Law: Risk and Technology in Perspective, 18 March 2021, online. For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
Virtual Symposium: The 15th Anniversary of ReCAAP
The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre shall host a symposium, entitled, The 15th Anniversary of ReCAAP, 18 March 2021, online. For more information see here and ReCAAP.
Filed under Events
ICJ: Gabon/Equatorial Guinea proceedings instituted
Proceedings were instituted (5 March 2021) before the International Court of Justice by way of a Special Agreement between the Gabonese Republic and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, which was signed in 2016 and entered into force in March 2020. In the Special Agreement, the Parties request the Court “to determine whether the legal titles, treaties and international conventions invoked by the Parties have the force of law in the relations between the Gabonese Republic and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in so far as they concern the delimitation of their common maritime and land boundaries and sovereignty over the islands of Mbanié/Mbañe, Cocotiers/Cocoteros and Conga”. Further information here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
Conference: High Seas Resources, Ocean Security, and the Great Powers
CNA is hosting a virtual conference entitled High Seas Resources, Ocean Security, and the Great Powers. This will be a discussion about the legally binding instrument on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) currently under negotiation at the UN and its security implications. The event takes place on 24 March 2021. More information available in this flyer and in this announcement.
Filed under Events
Vacancy: Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the World Maritime University
Closing date for applications is 21 March 2021 with the Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the World Maritime University (Sweden). The three-year research project aims to develop practical solutions to the challenges posed by marine debris, Sargassum and marine spatial planning (MSP) in the region and to the member states of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean (OECS). More information is available here.
Filed under Vacancies
Workshop: PROBLUE Ocean Governance Capacity Building Program
The World Bank’s Blue Economy Program PROBLUE is organizing the Ocean Governance Capacity Building Program. This workshop shall be held online and is tailored for the Pacific Ocean region; similar online courses are being planned for East Africa and West Africa, as well as possibly Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of the training program is to enhance the capacity of government officials, staff of partner organizations, and other stakeholders on ocean governance by providing training on international law related to oceans and the legal framework for the blue economy, including relevant regional conventions.
This online course provides an introduction to global ocean governance, including a primer on public international law related to the oceans and the international legal framework for the blue economy. It is centered on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments addressing fisheries, marine pollution, conservation and biodiversity, climate change, maritime transport and shipping, marine scientific research, and activities in the Area, among other topics.
Deadline for submitting applications is 8 March 2021. Further information is available here.
Filed under Courses
Webinar: Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface for Ocean Sustainability
The United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO is hosting a seminar entitled Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface for Ocean Sustainability.
The objective of this webinar is to raise awareness of the importance of the science-policy interface for ocean governance at all levels, showcase links between the science-policy interface and society including ocean users, and reinforce the understanding of the role of citizen science, as well as traditional, indigenous and local knowledge in strengthening the science-policy interface. This event takes place on 1 March 2021. Pre-registrationa and programme can be found here.
Filed under Events
Vacancy: PhD position at University of Tasmania
Closing date for expressions of interest and applications is 14 May 2021 with the University of Tasmania (Australia) for a PhD position on governance solutions to plastic pollution in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. This project examines the plastic pollution problem in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean regions, the current governance measures for dealing with plastic pollution through the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), and other broader global governance arrangements. The candidate will investigate the effectiveness of the global governance systems in place that address plastic pollution. More information is available here.
Filed under Vacancies
Webinar: The Fisheries Act and Brexit
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries shall host a webinar, entitled, A New Era: The Fisheries Act and Brexit, 25 February 2021, online.
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
Webinars: Biodiversity Law and Governance Series
The Centre for Environmental Law (Macquarie University) shall host its first Biodiversity Law and Governance Webinar Series, entitled, Law & Nature Dialogues, February-June 2021, online. The inaugural lecture will be held on 22 February 2021, entitled, The evolution and challenges in China’s implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
For more information see the Law & Nature Dialogues programme. Registration for the inaugural lecture may be found here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: The role of regional instruments in strengthening global governance of marine plastic pollution
The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) shall host a webinar, entitled, Launch of the report ‘Stronger together: The role of regional instruments in strengthening global governance of marine plastic pollution’, 17 February 2021, online.
For more information see here, and the aforementioned report here.
Filed under Events
Scholarships: Türkiye Scholarship Program 2021
The University of Ankara (Turkey) informs that candidates may apply to the “Türkiye Scholarship Program” for DEHUKAM Master’s (LLM) / PhD Program in the Sea and Maritime Law. This program offers scholarships to students from all over the world to study in Turkey. Closing date for applications is 20 February 2021. More information is available here; the brochure of the program is available here.
Seminar: 25th Anniversary of ITLOS
The Brazilian Institute for the Law of the Sea (BILOS) shall host an event, entitled, Seminar on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), 25 February 2021, online (IBDMAR BILOS YouTube). The event will be in Portuguese.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
UN HR Committee: Decision & Views concerning Communication No. 3043/2017 (A.S., D.I., O.I. and G.D.)
On the 27 January 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Committee decided two parallel proceedings, brought against Italy and Malta respectively, concerning their response to a vessel in distress in the Mediterranean Sea and the obligations of Italy and Malta under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The delayed action and failed search and rescue operation of 11 October 2013 were found to have contributed to the deaths of over 200 people estimated to be on board the vessel.
In CCPR/C/130/DR/3042/2017 the Committee considered that the individuals on the vessel in distress were subject to Italy’s jurisdiction for the purposes of the Covenant because ‘a special relationship of dependency had been established between the individuals on the vessel in distress and Italy’ (paras 7.1-7.8). Italy failed to demonstrate it met its due diligence obligations under Article 6(1) of the Covenant (paras. 8.1-8.5) and its duty to conduct a prompt investigation of the allegations relating to a violation of the rights to life under Article 6(1), read in conjunction with Article 2(3) of the Covenant (paras. 8.6-8.7). Three dissenting opinions were attached, namely by Yuval Shany, Christof Heyns and Photini Pazartzis; Andreas Zimmermann; and David Moore. Four concurring opinions were attached, namely by Gentian Zyberi; José Santos-Pais; Vasilka Sancin; and Hélène Tigroudja.
In CCPR/C/128/D/3043/2017 the Committee considered that Malta exercised effective control over the rescue operation as the vessel in distress was located in the Maltese Search and Rescue area (referring to UNCLOS, SAR Convention, and SOLAS) and Malta had formally accepted to assume the coordination of the rescue efforts (paras. 6.5-6.7). However, the authors of the communication failed to exhaust available domestic remedies, meaning the communication was inadmissible (paras. 6.8-6.9). Three dissention opinions were attached, namely by Andreas Zimmermann; Gentian Zyberi, Arif Bulkan and Duncan Muhumuza; and Hélène Tigroudja.
Filed under Jurisprudence
Call for papers: MARE Conference People & the Sea XI
The Centre for Maritime Research (MARE) is hosting its 11th People & the Sea Conference. This year’s edition has the theme “Limits to Blue Growth?” and aims to contribute to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Deadline for panel, paper proposals and other conference formats is 12 February 2021. More information on the various conference streams can be found here.
Filed under Calls
IFLOS Summer Academy 2021
The International Foundation for the Law of the Sea (IFLOS) shall host the fourteenth session of the IFLOS Summer Academy, 1-27 August 2021, at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Hamburg, Germany). Applications are welcome until 30 April 2021.
For more information, see here.
Filed under Courses
ITLOS – Nippon Foundation Capacity Building and Training Programme 2021-2022
The ITLOS – Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme on Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS, 19 July 2021 – 31 March 2022, to be held at the seat of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Hamburg, Germany), is welcoming applications until 5 April 2021.
Filed under Courses
Webinar: Asia Dialogue on Responses to Wildlife Trafficking
WWF and TRAFFIC, in collaboration with the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, shall host a webinar, entitled, Asia Dialogue on Responses to Wildlife Trafficking in Maritime Transport, 9 February 2021, online. For more information see here, registration here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: Perspectives on the recent ITLOS case between Mauritius and the Maldives
The Exeter Centre for International Law shall host a roundtable, entitled, Perspectives on the recent ITLOS case between Mauritius and the Maldives, 12 March 2021, online. For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Conference: World Ocean Summit
The Economist Group shall host its 8th World Ocean Summit, themed, Accelerating a sustainable ocean economy, 1-5 March 2021, online. For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar Series: Rising Sea Levels
The British Institute for International and Comparative Law (BIICL) shall host a Webinar Series entitled Rising Sea Levels: Promoting Climate Justice through International Law. In this seminar series, the BIICL will look at rising sea levels as a global problem and the legal issues arising from it from the lens of international law and climate justice.
The schedule goes as follows: Webinar 1: Rising Sea Levels & International Law: The role of the International Law Commission (ILC) (3 March 2021); Webinar 2: Rising Sea Levels: A Matter for the ICJ? (11 March 2021); Webinar 3: Rising Sea Levels: Climate Displacement as a Human Right Violation (17 March 2021); Webinar 4: Rising Sea Levels: Climate Change Litigation before Domestic Courts (24 March 2021). Registration is open here.
Filed under Events
Webinars: MARIPOLDATA Ocean Seminar Series
The MARIPOLDATA research project shall host a monthly series of webinars, entitled, MARIPOLDATA Ocean Seminar Series, January-June 2021, online. For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Belgium: resolution on deep seabed mining adopted in Parliament
The Federal Parliament of Belgium adopted (16 January 2021) Resolution 55 1687 on deep seabed mining. This resolution requests the Belgium Government to 1) support fundamental scientific research and data collection for further knowledge of the deep sea and for the protection of existing marine ecosystems, and 2) to continue to respect environmental legislation and the precautionary principle when developing possible exploitation rules for deep-sea mining to preserve the biodiversity of marine ecosystems. Resolution 55 1687 may be found here (in French and Dutch).
Filed under State Practice
Webinar: Adapting Marine Shipping Governance and Maritime Sovereignty
Monmouth University Institute for Global Understanding (IGU) and Urban Coast Institute (UCI) shall host their latest Global Ocean Governance Lecture Series event, entitled, Global Perspectives on Adapting Marine Shipping Governance and Maritime Sovereignty to Respond to Climate Change, 19 February 2021, online.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Conference: IUU Fishing
The Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy (FIU) shall host a conference, entitled, IUU Fishing, 3 February 2021, online. For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
ITLOS: Mauritius/Maldives Judgment on Preliminary Objections delivered
The Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) formed to deal with the Dispute concerning the delimitation of the maritime boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius/Maldives) delivered on 28 January 2021 its Judgment on the Preliminary Objections raised by the Maldives. The Special Chamber concluded that “it has jurisdiction to adjudicate upon the dispute concerning the delimitation of the maritime boundary between the Parties in the Indian Ocean and that the claim submitted by Mauritius in this regard is admissible” (paragraph 351). For further information see here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
Webinar: The Ongoing Dispute between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea
The Stockton Center for International Law (SCIL) at U.S. Naval War College is hosting an online seminar entitled The Ongoing Dispute between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea. The panelists will explore the current legal perspectives of the maritime dispute between Ukraine and Russia, borne out of an incident in November 2018 in which Russia challenged Ukraine’s access to the Sea of Azov and freedom of navigation through the Kerch Strait. The panel will also examine the ongoing Permanent Court of Arbitration case filed by Ukraine against Russia in 2016, and the potential implications for coastal state rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The event is set to happen on 10 February 2021. Further information and access instructions is found here or here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea – Upholding the Rule of Law at Sea
The School of Law (University of Essex) shall host its Essex Public International Law Lecture Series, including, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea – Upholding the Rule of Law at Sea, 8 March 2021, online.
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: Climate change and the law of the sea: A test for international law
The Lauterpacht Centre for International Law (University of Cambridge) will host its Friday lecture series, including, Climate change and the law of the sea: A test for international law, 19 February 2021, online.
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: A Multi-Faceted Discipline and a Promising Field for Practitioners
The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (UC Berkeley School of Law) shall host the 2021 Harry & Jane Scheiber Lecture in Ocean Law & Policy, entitled, The Law of the Sea: A Multi-Faceted Discipline and a Promising Field for Practitioners, 4 February 2021, online.
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
Call for Posts: The future of maritime cybersecurity
The Center for International Maritime Security, in partnership with Cyber Nation Central, have issued a call for articles, entitled, Future of Maritime Cybersecurity. Submissions are welcome until 15 February 2021.
For more information see here.
Filed under Calls
Conference: Ocean-Climate Ambition Summit
Belgium, Belize, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Fiji, France, Indonesia, Norway, Panama, Spain & Sweden shall host the Ocean-Climate Ambition Summit, 26 – 27 January 2021, online.
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
UK/EU: Trade and Cooperation Agreement
The Trade And Cooperation Agreement Between The European Union and The European Atomic Energy Community, of the One Part, and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the Other Part was agreed among UK and EU negotiators on 24 December 2020 and has been provisionally applied as of 1 January 2021 (pending ratification by the EU). The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides the framework of UK-EU relations in numerous areas of oceans policy, such as international maritime transport (2.1.2), sustainable development, such as trade and sustainable management of marine biological resources and aquaculture, or greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures at the IMO (2.1.11), fisheries (2.5) and offshore renewable energy in the North Sea (2.1.8).
For more information see the UK summary and European Commission summary. See further the UK’s implementing legislation, the European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020.
Concerning Gibraltar, the Government of Gibraltar announced on 31 December 2020 that it had reached an in principle agreement with the UK and Spain for a proposed framework for a UK-EU Agreement on Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU.
Filed under International Organizations, State Practice
Call for Papers: What Place for International Law in the Asian Future?
The Asian Society of International Law shall host its 8th Biennial Conference and PhD Students Workshop, entitled, What Place for International Law in the Asian Future?, 20-29 May 2021, online. The law of the sea is a key topic for discussion, but numerous other proposed topics are directly relevant to the law of the sea and its institutions. Abstracts are welcome until 15 February 2021.
For more information see here.
Call for Input: Special Rapporteur’s HRC Report 2021 (Migrant Pushback Practices)
The Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has issued a call for input, entitled, Report on pushback practices and their impact on the human rights of migrants. This explicitly includes the pushback of migrants at sea. Submissions from Member States, civil society, academia, National Human Rights Institutions and other stakeholders is welcome until 1 February 2021. Input will be used to inform the Special Rapporteur’s forthcoming report to the 47th session of the Human Rights Council.
Filed under Calls
De Maribus 