(NEWS) Maritime Policy Workshop Delivered for IMLI

November

2021

Maritime Policy Workshop Delivered for IMLI

From 15-19 November, students from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) participated in the sixth annual seminar focused on National Maritime Transport Policy (NMTP). The virtual seminar was facilitated by the World Maritime University (WMU) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and highlighted the importance of policy formulation and development to guide planning, decision making and legislation in the maritime sector.

The seminar provided the opportunity for students to take part in a practical group exercise during which they further explored the NMTP concept and formulated the key aspects of a maritime transport policy for an imaginary State. The seminar is being held for its fifth consecutive year, thanks to the continuing collaboration between IMO and its two global maritime training institutions – WMU and IMLI. This year’s instructors on behalf of WMU were Professors Raphael Baumler, George Theocharidis and Associate Professor Henning Jessen.

The NMTP concept is being promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a good governance practice to guide planning, decision making and legislation in the maritime sector and as a key driver for a country's sustainable development.

At the request of IMO, WMU made modifications to the existing Training Package that contains an Instructor’s Manual with nine modules for the 3-Day Workshop and five sessions for the One-Day Seminar, as well as a Manual for Pedagogics, to accommodate the online delivery by electronic means. The topics covered included Defining and Designing Transport Maritime Policy, Strategies and Objectives, the Development Process, clarifying the role of International Maritime Law and its integration in policy making, Economic Maritime Setting and delineating national priorities, Environmental Rationale and mainstreaming it into the policy process, Safety and Security factors and recognizing the value of Seafarers in maritime policy.

IMO and WMU have cooperated on the delivery of NMTP Training Packages to several countries since 2016, including Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Chile, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Seychelles, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Thailand and Timor-Leste. It has also been delivered to students at WMU.

WMU’s delivery of NMTP training reflects its capacity building mission and a commitment to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, in particular, Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

News about the seminar can also be found on IMO’s website.

Find out more about the National Maritime Transport Policy concept, what it is and how it works, by watching IMO’s NMTP video, here.

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Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

My decision to enroll in the doctoral program at WMU was heavily influenced by my prior experience as a Master's student at the institution. Initially introduced to me as a preeminent global institution for maritime education, WMU's stellar reputation was further substantiated by the exceptional quality of education I received during my Master’s studies. This experience became a compelling factor in my determination to return to WMU as a doctoral student. Recognizing the synergies between my research aspirations and the institutional offerings at WMU, I concluded that continuing my educational journey at this esteemed institution was not only beneficial but also aligned perfectly with my academic and professional goals.

My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

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Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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