Course Listing

International Regulation of Shipping
Last Updated Date:   22 November 2023


5 Units,  Semester 2

Course Description:
International Regulation of Shipping is an applied course in public international law, not maritime law. Courses in maritime law govern the rights and obligations of private companies engaged in commercial activities relating to international shipping, with a focus on contractual obligations and the decisions of national courts and commercial arbitral tribunals. By contrast, International Regulation of Shipping examines that rules, norms and standards established in international treaties which govern the rights and obligations of flag States, port States and coastal States with respect to the regulation of commercial ships sailing the oceans. This includes the role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN specialized agency responsible for adopting laws and regulations for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution of the marine environment from ships.

In this course we will examine the international rules in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and in IMO conventions and instruments setting out the rights and duties of flag States, port States and coastal States with respect to the safety of maritime navigation, the prevention of pollution from ships and the security of commercial shipping. This will include the rules governing the passage of ships through the major sea lanes in Southeast Asia such as the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. We will also examine the legal regimes governing the security of shipping, including piracy and armed robbery against ships and the threat of maritime terrorism. Finally, we will examine how the rules governing international shipping are responding to new developments, including climate change, the 2023 High Seas Treaty and the development of autonomous ships.

The international regulation of shipping is of great importance to Singapore. Singapore is a major port State and trans-shipment hub, with about 1000 vessels in port every day. Singapore is the top bunkering (refuelling) port in the world. Singapore is also a major flag State, as the Singapore ship registry is the top five in the world. Singapore is an active member of the IMO, and has been elected as a member of its Council every year since 1993. Singapore is also a strong proponent of the rules-based legal order established in UNCLOS, which guarantees passage rights for ships through the choke points in sea lanes of communication through Southeast Asia. Consequently, this course should be of interest to persons who intend to work in the maritime sector in Singapore or elsewhere.

Course Convenor: Emeritus Prof RC Beckman

Co-teacher(s):

Course Codes: LL4034V / LL5034V / LLD5034V / LL6034V / LLJ5034V

Contact Hours: 3-hr weekly seminar

Workload: 3 hours

Mode of Assessment: Writing Assignment (2000 words) - 20% [Due: Mon, 4 March (9am)]; Class Participation - 20% & Final Exam - 60%

Preclusions: Nil

Prerequisites: NUS Compulsory Core Law Curriculum or common law equivalent. Students who have completed a course in Law of the Sea or Ocean Law & Policy may have a slight advantage.

Examination Date: Tuesday, 7 May 2024 (PM)

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