(NEWS) Maritime Policy Seminar

October

2010

Maritime Policy Seminar

The annual WMU Maritime Policy Seminar this year again benefited enormously from contributions from distinguished practitioners representing key maritime industry activities in the 21st century.

The seminar debated issues including global shipping, ships’ manning (The Year of the Seafarer), the possibility of mustering women onboard ships, a ship’s Master’s authority/responsibility and liability, the use of armed guards on ships, security issues in maritime education and training and many others. The maritime policies of Japan and the European Union were also discussed. Environmental concerns were debated after a presentation of the Deep Water Horizon blowout, including a discussion of whether the MODU Code should be mandatory under SOLAS.

The Director of the IMO Maritime Safety Division discussed the need for a new generation of seafarers and how IMO, in the future, can protect shipping and shipping lanes.

During the debates, the students demonstrated the knowledge gained during their studies at WMU over the last 17 months. At times the debate became quite heated, but always adhered to the rules of logic, evidence, courtesy and consensus that govern the industry as a whole.

(in the picture) (from the left) Captain J Horck - WMU, Mr M Addico - MOWCA, Sir R Coleman – EU (former), Mr K Sekimizu – IMO, Mr D Sheehan – USCG (former), Dr B Kjerfve - WMU

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Dissertation title

Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

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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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