PhD, Maritime Affairs, World Maritime University
MSc, International Maritime Law, University of Lund, Sweden
Areas of Expertise
Law of the Sea (Zones of Sovereignty)
Marine Technology Governance
Human-Autonomy Ecosystem for BBNJ
International Law and Remote Inspection Techniques
Moot Court Advocacy
Ship Recycling
Dr. Tafsir Matin Johansson joined the World Maritime University (WMU) in 2013 and currently serves as an Associate Professor in Ocean Sustainability, Governance, and Management at the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) in Malmö, Sweden.
Dr. Johansson holds a Ph.D. in Maritime Affairs from WMU --- supported by the Government of Canada --- and an LL.M. in Maritime Law from the University of Lund in Sweden. His academic and research portfolio is rooted in international and national laws and policies related to maritime and marine technology, as well as artificial intelligence, for a changing and dynamic ocean governance. At WMU-GOI, he leads cutting-edge research, teaches across interdisciplinary fields, and supervises postdoctoral, Ph.D., and MSc candidates.
Dr. Johansson has had impactful publications on Arctic governance, marine pollution, maritime decarbonization, trust and liability associated with remote inspection tech, climate resilience, fisheries and politics, and the evolving legal frameworks shaping autonomous ocean systems for the protection of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
He has led and contributed to numerous high-profile, interdisciplinary research projects, including long-standing regulatory development initiatives funded by Transport Canada since 2014, and work under Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. His collaborations span organizations such as the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM), and the Danish Shipowners’ Association.
In 2024, Dr. Johansson completed his role as Co-Principal Investigator on the EU Horizon 2020 project BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context, receiving high commendation from the European Commission.
Currently, he serves as Principal Investigator for the Ocean Technology and AI pillar of the Nippon Foundation’s Future of the Oceans programme, and for a Decarbonization in the Eastern Mediterranean project funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Dr. Johansson is a guest lecturer at various international universities, a member of the ESG Shipping Awards judging committee, and serves on the editorial board of Ocean Development and International Law, a reputed and leading journal in the field.
Dr. Tafsir Matin Johansson joined the World Maritime University (WMU) in 2013 and currently serves as an Associate Professor in Ocean Sustainability, Governance, and Management at the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) in Malmö, Sweden.
Dr. Johansson holds a Ph.D. in Maritime Affairs from WMU --- supported by the Government of Canada --- and an LL.M. in Maritime Law from the University of Lund in Sweden. His academic and research portfolio is rooted in international and national laws and policies related to maritime and marine technology, as well as artificial intelligence, for a changing and dynamic ocean governance. At WMU-GOI, he leads cutting-edge research, teaches across interdisciplinary fields, and supervises postdoctoral, Ph.D., and MSc candidates.
Dr. Johansson has had impactful publications on Arctic governance, marine pollution, maritime decarbonization, trust and liability associated with remote inspection tech, climate resilience, fisheries and politics, and the evolving legal frameworks shaping autonomous ocean systems for the protection of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
He has led and contributed to numerous high-profile, interdisciplinary research projects, including long-standing regulatory development initiatives funded by Transport Canada since 2014, and work under Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. His collaborations span organizations such as the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM), and the Danish Shipowners’ Association.
In 2024, Dr. Johansson completed his role as Co-Principal Investigator on the EU Horizon 2020 project BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context, receiving high commendation from the European Commission.
Currently, he serves as Principal Investigator for the Ocean Technology and AI pillar of the Nippon Foundation’s Future of the Oceans programme, and for a Decarbonization in the Eastern Mediterranean project funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Dr. Johansson is a guest lecturer at various international universities, a member of the ESG Shipping Awards judging committee, and serves on the editorial board of Ocean Development and International Law, a reputed and leading journal in the field.
