The Centre d’Etudes sur la Sécurité Internationale et les Coopérations Européennes (CESICE) and the Centre de Recherches Juridiques (CRJ) of the Université Grenoble Alpes shall host a conference entitled Les apports du système du Traité de l’Antarctique au droit international (The contributions of the Antarctic Treaty system to International Law), 5-6 December 2019, at Saint-Martin-d’Hères (France).
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
The Europa Institute (Leiden University), Grotius Centre (Leiden University) and Amsterdam Center for International Law (University of Amsterdam) shall host a conference, entitled, Governance of International Courts and Tribunals: Ensuring Judicial Independence and Accountability, 20-21 September 2019, at Leiden Law School (Leiden, The Netherlands). Discussions include critical reflection upon the governance of ITLOS.
For further information see the programme and registration.
Filed under Events
The Nigeria Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy shall host a conference, entitled, Global Maritime Security, 7-9 October 2019, at the International Conference Centre (Abuja, Nigeria). Registration is free but mandatory.
Filed under Events
The ESIL Interest Group on the Law of the Sea has announced its programme for its 15th ESIL Annual Conference Side Event, entitled, Sovereignty at Sea: Repercussions in flux?, to be held on the 12 September 2019 at the Faculty Club (Athens, Greece).
For more information see the programme and the 15th ESIL Annual Conference website.
Filed under Events
The Global Law Initiatives for Sustainable Development (gLAWcal), American Society of International Law Interest Group on International Environmental Law and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki shall host a conference, entitled, States, Corporations and Commons: Dissonance and Accord, 11 September 2019, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki, Greece).
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies (Indiana University) and Universität Hamburg shall co-sponsor, with the support of the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea, a conference, entitled, 25 Years of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 17-18 October 2019, at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Hamburg, Germany). For security purposes, attendees must register before 14 October 2019.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
The Jean Monnet Chair on International and European Law of the Sea (IELoS) shall host a workshop, entitled, EU Law and Ports: New Routes, New Rules?, 2 September 2019, at the Palazzo San Giorgio (Genoa, Italy).
For more information and registration, see the flyer.
Filed under Events
The Common Good Foundation in partnership with The Resolution Centre, Jersey Law Commission, and The Resolution Journal, shall host a conference, entitled, Environmental Crimes Law Conference, 31 October – 1 November 2019, in Saint Helier, Jersey. Abstracts are welcome until 6 September 2019.
For more information see here.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Institute for the International Law of the Sea and for Maritime Law (University of Hamburg) shall host an international workshop, entitled, The LOSC 25 Years after its Entry Into Force: Between Comprehensiveness and Exceptionalism, 24 September 2019 at Aby-Warburg-Haus (Hamburg, Germany).
For further information see here and the programme. Registration closes 16 September 2019.
Filed under Events
The Fifteenth International Colloquium organised by the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law at Swansea University Law School, entitled, Ship Operations – New Risks, Liabilities and Technologies in the Maritime Sector, will be held 12-13 September 2019 at Swansea University (Swansea, UK).
For further information (in English and Welsh) see here and here.
Filed under Events
The Second World Maritime University (WMU) Regional Conference for the Americas, entitled, Maritime Transport & Ocean Policies: Regional Perspectives for The Americas, will be held 30 September-02 October 2019 in Veracruz, Mexico.
For further information see the website.
Filed under Events
The South African Research Chair in the Law of the Sea and Development in Africa shall host a conference, entitled, Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance, 22-24 January 2020, to be held at Nelson Mandela University (Port Elizabeth, South Africa).
For further information see the announcement and Chair’s website.
Filed under Events
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has delivered its Order of 6 July 2019 in respect of Case No. 27, The M/T “San Padre Pio” Case (Switzerland v. Nigeria), Provisional Measures. The Tribunal concluded that prima facie the UNCLOS Annex VII arbitral tribunal would have jurisdiction over the submitted dispute. The Tribunal prescribed various provisional measures under Article 290(5) of UNCLOS.
For an overview see the press release. Two Declarations, one Joint Declaration, three Separate Opinions and four Dissenting Opinions were appended to the Order of 6 July 2019, available here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
The President of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction has released an advanced version of the text, entitled, Draft text of an agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, 25 June 2019. This was produced in response to a request during the second session of the IGC. Its aim is “to facilitate further progress in the negotiations”.
For the draft text, see here.
Filed under International Organizations, State Practice
Dalian Law School, The Development Of International Law In Asia-Korea (DILA-Korea) and the Korea Institute Of Ocean Science And Technology (KIOST) shall cohost two back-to-back conferences, entitled, Rule of Law and the Law of the Sea and Transboundary Fisheries Management, 27-29 June 2019, in Dalian, China.
For more information see here.
The Jean Monnet Chair on International and European Law of the Sea (IELoS) shall host the fifth edition of the EULoS Summer School, European Union and the Law of the Sea, 26 August – 6 September 2019, in Genoa, Italy. Applications are welcome until 2 August 2019.
For more information see the EULoS website.
Filed under Courses
The Brazilian Institute for the Law of the Sea (IBDMAR), with the support of Dom Helder, shall host their first ITLOS moot court competition, Republic of Disali Vs. Kingdom of Brismania, 26-27 November 2019, at Dom Helder (Belo Horizonte, Brazil). Registration is open until 10 August 2019.
For more information please see here.
Filed under Competitions
In accordance with Article 76(8) of UNCLOS, Canada has on 23 May 2019 made a partial submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) regarding its continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. The submission will be included in the provisional agenda of the fifty-second session of the CLCS.
For further information and an executive summary see here and the press release. This follows the 11 April 2019 partial submission of Indonesia in respect of an area North of Papua (Eauripik Rise) and the 26 March 2019 partial submission of Mauritius concerning the Southern Chagos Archipelago region.
Filed under International Organizations, State Practice
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has delivered its Order of 25 May 2019 in respect of Case No. 26, Case concerning the detention of three Ukrainian naval vessels (Ukraine v. Russian Federation), Provisional Measures. The Tribunal concluded that prima facie the UNCLOS Annex VII arbitral tribunal would have jurisdiction over the submitted dispute. The Tribunal prescribed various provisional measures under Article 290(5) of UNCLOS.
For an overview see the press release. Two Declarations, three Separate Opinions and one Dissenting Opinion were appended to the Order of 25 May 2019, available here. Ukraine and Russia have both responded through their respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Filed under Jurisprudence, State Practice
The Second Biennial Conference of the South Asia International Economic Law Network (SAIELN), entitled, The Law of the Blue Economy: International and South Asian Perspectives, will be held 27-28 July 2019 in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala, India). Abstracts are welcome until 27 May 2019.
The Research Group on International Law and Governance (University of Oslo) and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) shall host a conference, entitled, The Rule of Law for Oceans, 4-5 November 2019 at the University of Oslo (Oslo, Norway). Abstracts accompanied by a short resume are accepted until 15 August 2019.
For more information see here.
Without prejudice to their legal positions in The Arctic Sunrise Arbitration (Netherlands v. Russia), Russia and The Netherlands have reached a full and final settlement of dispute in respect of the Arctic Sunrise incident of September 2013. The agreement remains confidential, but the Joint Statement of 17 May 2019 nonetheless recognizes an understanding upon the rights and responsibilities of both the coastal state and flag state in the EEZ. This includes recognition of the rights related to peaceful protest. Joint Russian-Dutch research in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is also promoted.
Filed under Jurisprudence, State Practice
The ongoing dispute concerning the potential drilling activities of the Turkish drill ship ‘Fatih’ within the Eastern Mediterranean has triggered Cyprus to deposit with the United National Secretary General a list of geographical coordinates of points concerning the northern and north-western outer limits of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf.
The maritime zone notification and geographical points were deposited on the 7 May 2019, as per UNCLOS, article 75(2) and article 84(2). Turkey claims the hydrocarbon exploration is within its rights under international law, while Cyprus, Greece and the EU have condemned any drilling by the vessel ‘Fatih’ as a violation of Cypriot rights. The USA refers to the area as ‘claimed’ by Cyprus and likely to raise tensions, while Egypt also raised concerns.
Illustrative Map – Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Filed under State Practice
Utrecht University will host a summer school, entitled, Introduction to the International Law of the Sea, 15 July 2019 – 19 July 2019, in Utrecht (The Netherlands). Applications are open until 13 July 2019.
For more information, see the programme and registration page. Participants may also be interested in the Introduction to Public International Law (8 July 2019 – 12 July 2019) and the Law and Sustainability (26 August 2019 – 30 August 2019) summer courses.
Filed under Courses
On the 16 April 2019, Ukraine submitted a request to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the prescription of provisional measures under UNCLOS, Article 290(5) in a dispute between Ukraine and the Russian Federation concerning the immunity of three Ukrainian naval vessels and the twenty-four servicemen on board.
For more information see Case No. 26 and the press releases of ITLOS, Ukraine MFA and Russia MFA.
Filed under Jurisprudence
The Faculty of Legal Studies at South Asian University shall host a conference, entitled, South Asia in the Era of International Courts and Tribunals, 28–29 February 2020, at South Asian University (New Delhi, India). The submission of abstracts is welcome until 30 June 2019.
For more information see the website and call for papers.
The Portuguese branch of the International Law Association shall host a regional ILA conference, entitled, The contribution of the case-law of international courts and tribunals to the development of international law, 19-20 September 2019, at the University of Minho Law School (Braga, Portugal). Topics include the contribution of ITLOS to the development of the law of the sea. Abstracts are welcome until the 15 June 2019.
For more information see here.
On the 10 April 2019, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered its Judgment in The M/V “Norstar” Case (Panama v. Italy). The Tribunal found that Italy had violated UNCLOS, Article 87(1) (by 15 votes to 7), that UNCLOS, Article 87(2) was not applicable to the case (unanimously), and that Italy did not violate UNCLOS, Article 300 (20 votes to 2). ITLOS decided to award Panama compensation (with interest) for the loss of the M/V “Norstar” (15 votes to 7).
For more information, see the Judgement and furthermore the case page for numerous Declarations, Separation Opinions and a Joint Dissenting Opinion. As previously reported, incidental proceedings occurred in respect of Preliminary Objections.
Filed under Jurisprudence
The ITLOS-Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme on Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS, July 2019 – March 2020, to be held at the seat of ITLOS (Hamburg, Germany), is welcoming applications until 25 April 2019.
The 8th Munich Advanced Course in International Law, entitled, International law without territory? – Governing spaces, resources and people beyond the confines of state territory, will be held 31 July – 14 August 2019 at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Munich, Germany). Topics covered include high seas governance. Applications are welcome until 1 April 2019 (first application period) or 1 May 2019 (second application period).
For more information, see here.
Filed under Courses
The European Parliament and the European Commission shall host a conference, entitled, Oceans: Future of the Blue Planet, 19 March 2019, at the European Parliament (Brussels, Belgium).
For more information see the programme and registration here.
Filed under Events
The Environmental Law Center of the University of Cologne and its co-organizers shall host a workshop, entitled, Globalization of Environmental Law and the Role of Emerging Economies, 6 April 2019, at the University of Cologne (Germany). Numerous topics could be approached with a law of the sea angle. Submissions are welcome until 15 March 2019.
For more information, see the call for papers.
The University of Westminster shall host a discussion event, entitled, Beyond the Grotian Era: The Quest for ‘Lawful Seas’, on the 11 March 2019 at Westminster Law School (London, UK).
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
Kelley Drye and the World Ocean Council will host a conference, entitled, Oceans & Waterways, on the 8 March 2019 at The Houstonian (Houston, USA). Panels will discuss federal and state legal, regulatory and political developments impacting oceans, waterways, and their uses.
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
Internationaler Umweltrechtstag Hamburg e.V. shall host the Fourth Hamburg International Environmental Law Conference, entitled, Of Ships and of Shores, of Ports and of Profits – Responsible Maritime Governance, 4-5 April 2019, at the Bucerius Law School (Hamburg, Germany).
The NUS Centre for International Law (CIL) shall host a conference, entitled, CIL International Law Year in Review Conference 2019, 1 March 2019, at the Novotel (Singapore). The event includes a discussion for the book launch of The Timor-Leste/Australia Conciliation: A Victory for UNCLOS and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.
Filed under Events
The 12th Polar Law Symposium, entitled, The Fundamental Principles of Polar Law, will be held at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (University of Tasmania, Australia), 1-4 December 2019. Abstracts may be submitted until the 3 April 2019.
For more information, including submissions for the PCRC-ArCS Special Session, see here.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the World Maritime University (WMU) shall host an international workshop, entitled, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ): Toward Development of a Balanced, Effective and Universal International Agreement, on the 7 February 2019 at the High Court (Malmö, Sweden).
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
The twenty-fourth session of the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy will be held 30 June – 19 July 2019. The deadline to submit an application is 9 April 2019. For more information, fees and application documents please see here.
Filed under Courses
An incident between Ukrainian and Russian governmental vessels occurred in the vicinity of the entrance to the Kerch Strait, 25 November 2018, of which the facts are disputed.
In a letter (2) dated 27 November 2018, Ukraine informed the Arbitral Tribunal in the Dispute Concerning Coastal State Rights in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Kerch Strait (Ukraine v. the Russian Federation) (previously reported) about the incident, on the basis it aggravated the parties’ dispute. Ukraine also filed its response to Russia’s jurisdictional objections.
On the 29 November 2018 an inter-State application was lodged by Ukraine before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) under Article 33 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Application no. 55855/18, Ukraine v. Russia (VIII). The ECtHR put factual questions to the Russian Government. The Russian Justice Ministry responded, but objected to the Ukrainian application. On the 4 December 2018 the ECtHR, under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, indicated interim measures to the Russian Government concerning medical treatment for the captive Ukrainian naval personnel.
Filed under Jurisprudence
The International Organizations Interest Group (IOIG) of the American Society of International Law (ASIL) shall host its biennial Work-In-Progress Workshop, 15 March 2019, at Seton Hall School of Law (Newark, USA). Abstracts must relate to the study of international organizations, with one signature topic of particular note for law of the sea submissions being Beyond National Jurisdiction: Human Activities in the Oceans, Polar Regions, Cyberspace and Outer Space. Abstract submissions are welcome until 1 December 2018.
For further information see here.
The Chinese (Taiwan) Society of International Law shall host an ILA-ASIL Asia-Pacific Research Forum, entitled, International Law and Emerging Powers: New Policy Challenges in the Asia-Pacific, from 17-18 May 2019 at Howard Civil Service International House (Taipei, Taiwan). Numerous areas of international law suggested by the organizing committee would accommodate law of the sea papers. Paper proposals are welcome until 10 December 2018.
On 14 November 2018 the Draft Withdrawal Agreement and Outline of the Political Declaration on the Future Relationship were finalised and agreed at the negotiator level. This is now subject to legal verification, whereby the final agreement and declaration are subject to endorsement and adoption, respectively.
Arrangements relating to fishing opportunities during the transition period are found within Article 130. If an agreement on the future EU-UK relationship is not applicable by 31 December 2020, the single EU-UK customs territory forming part of the “backstop solution” (Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, Article 6) will exclude fishery and aquaculture products “unless an agreement on access to waters and fishing opportunities is applicable between the Union and the United Kingdom”. The Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration both highlight the commitment to “use their best endeavours to conclude and ratify such an agreement before 1 July 2020”. The Protocol relating to the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus preserves EU fisheries law for Sovereign Base Areas (Article 6), while the Protocol on Gibraltar establishes UK-Spain coordinating procedures for fisheries (Article 4).
See further the Joint Statement (14 Nov 2018), Déclaration par Michel Barnier and the European Commission recommendation to the European Council.
Filed under State Practice, Treaties
The Centre for International Law (National University of Singapore) shall host a conference, entitled, International Conference on Regional Cooperation for the Protection of the Marine Environment, 15–16 January 2019 (Singapore).
To register, see here.
Filed under Events
The Centre for International Law (National University of Singapore) shall host a seminar, entitled, Governance of Arctic Shipping: Recent Developments & Prospects, 15 November 2018, at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus (Singapore).
For further information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
The Ocean Yearbook‘s annual competition for students writing research papers on “marine affairs” is open to submissions until 13 May 2019. The Student Prize 2019 will include publication in a subsequent issue of the Ocean Yearbook. A definition of maritime affairs is included within the call.
For more information on eligibility and submissions, see here.
Filed under Calls
The UK Government has introduced to the UK House of Commons the Fisheries Bill (Bill 278), its first reading being held 25 October 2018. As summarized in the Explanatory Notes (para. 1), “[t]he Fisheries Bill (the Bill) will provide the legal framework for the United Kingdom to operate as an independent coastal state under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) after the UK has left the European Union (EU) and the Common Fisheries Policy (the CFP)”.
For more information see the Fisheries Bill (as introduced), Explanatory Notes, Delegated Powers Memorandum and press release.
Filed under State Practice
On the 3 October 2018, the United States, Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, the European Union, Iceland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Norway, the People’s Republic of China, and the Russian Federation signed the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAOF Agreement). The agreement covers approximately 2.8 million square kilometers and will establish and operate a Joint Program of Scientific Research and Monitoring (art. 4). Unregulated fishing in the high seas of the central Arctic Ocean is prohibited for 16 years following entry into force (arts. 3, 11, 13). Sedentary species are not included (art. 1).
See further, the CAOF Agreement, and statements by the EU, USA and Russia.
Filed under State Practice, Treaties
The Department of Fisheries of the Government of Thailand will host the 6th Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop, entitled, CLOSING THE NET: Global cooperation between flag, coastal, port and market states for effective enforcement of international and domestic law, 18-22 February 2019 (Bangkok, Thailand). Nominations are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis.
For further information see the prospectus and call for abstracts.
Filed under Calls
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, on the 25 September 2018, namely Articles 60(2) and 61(3). Both provisions have been amended through the addition of:
“If the Tribunal is not sitting, its powers under this article may be exercised by the President of the Tribunal, but without prejudice to any subsequent decision of the Tribunal.”
The amendments immediately entered into force. The rationale for amendment given by the Tribunal was “in the interest of the efficient and cost-effective administration of justice”.
For further information see the Amendments (25 September 2018) and ITLOS Press Release 275.
Filed under International Organizations, Treaties
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