(NEWS) WMU and CIL Host High-Level Workshop on IMO and UNCLOS

June

2025

WMU and CIL Host High-Level Workshop on IMO and UNCLOS

On 9–10 June, the World Maritime University (WMU) and the Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore co-organized a high-level, invitation-only workshop entitled "Charting the Course: The Role of IMO within the UNCLOS Legal Framework in Tackling Challenges of Contemporary Shipping." Held at the WMU premises, the event brought together leading academics, legal practitioners, maritime experts, and industry representatives.

The workshop explored the relationship between IMO instruments and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with particular attention to Article 94, which outlines the responsibilities of flag States. Key issues discussed included fraudulent ship registration and registries, abandonment of seafarers, the rise of the so-called "dark fleet," and the protection of critical offshore infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines.

Through focused panels and collaborative discussions, participants examined pressing legal and operational challenges in contemporary shipping, while also fostering dialogue on how international law and regulatory bodies like the IMO can respond to evolving maritime threats.

This successful event marked a significant step forward in bridging academic insight with regulatory practice in support of safer, more transparent, and legally sound maritime governance.

To view the workshop programme, click here.

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