International Organizations
Equasis
Developed by the European Commission and the French Maritime Administration to provide an internet based information system that collates existing safety-related information on ships from both public and private sources. Perhaps the best source of information on vessels and vessel owning and managing companies worldwide. Registration is required, but the service is free.
European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
An agency of the European Union, EMSA works on maritime safety, security, climate, environment and single market issues as a service provider to Member States and the Commission and otherwise. Their Publications section includes legislative texts, guidelines, manuals, technical reports, brochures and other documents.
Hague Conference on Private International Law
The Hague Conference is an intergovernmental organization that works toward the progressive unification of the rules of private international law. Their work has included international conventions on the service of process abroad in civil and commercial matters, the international sale of goods, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, and choice of law in international commercial contracts.
International Court of Justice
The Court has jurisdiction over disputes between nation states. Cases with respect to maritme law typically concern maritime boundary and fisheries disputes. See the documents and information provided in the List of All Cases
decided by the Court.
International Labour Organization (ILO)
The ILO is the United Nations agency the promotes internationally recognized human and labor rights. It was founded in 1919 and became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946. A focus is the shipping, fishing and inland waterways industry. The ILO has been responsible for a significant number of conventions concerning the rights of seaman, which are available through the ILO's Normlex web portal.
International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI)
The Institute was established in 1989 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization for the training of specialists in maritime law, the international legal regime of merchant shipping and the general law of the sea. The Institute offers a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Maritime Law. The main purpose of the course is to train lawyers from developing countries to become specialists in maritime law.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the Unted Nations specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships. International conventions concluded under its auspices include the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) conventions. The IMO's ePublications platform contains IMO published materials such as conventions, codes, regulations, recommendations and guidelines.
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
Estabished pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to adjudicate disputes under the Convention. The List of Cases provides detailed information on each that has been heard by the Tribunal.
United Nations Commision on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
UNCITRAL is the United Nations' primary legal body for international trade law. The Commission's areas of responsibility include the international sale and transportation of goods and the resolution of disputes through arbitration. Conventions concluded under its auspices include the 1978 Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea (Hamburg Rules) and the 2008 Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea (Rotterdam Rules).
United Nations, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
A division of the UN Office of Legal Affairs that is responsible for issues relating to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The division serves as the Secretariat of the Convention and also the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Convention and related material are available at the site. See also the International Seabed Authority, the international body established by UNCLOS to manage the exploration and use of seabed resources.
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