Global Maritime Law & Insurance

Course Introduction

This course offers a hands-on introduction to the legal rules and international conventions that keep the world’s shipping lanes running smoothly. From safety codes like SOLAS and MARPOL to the ins and outs of marine insurance, you will explore how global trade is protected, regulated, and insured. We’ll look at key principles like indemnity and insurable interest, and dive into how sanctions and compliance shape today’s maritime landscape.

Course Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and scope of key international maritime conventions and how they shape global shipping practices
• Identify and explain the roles of major regulatory bodies such as the IMO, UNCTAD, and UNCITRAL
• Apply core principles of marine insurance—such as indemnity, insurable interest, and warranties
• Recognise how trade sanctions and compliance processes impact marine insurance and international shipping
• Compare marine insurance laws across jurisdictions
• Navigate the legal landscape of maritime commerce with confidence, whether you’re advising clients, managing risk, or working within the shipping industry

Course Content

• The Legal and Regulatory Environment
  • International Conventions: What are conventions? What role do they play in the maritime environment?
  • Key Maritime Conventions: UNCTAD, UNCITRAL, CMI, International Maritime Organisation (‘IMO’), ISM Code, ISPS Code, SOLAS, MARPOL (Pollution) York Antwerp Rules (General Average), Hague-Visby Rules, Rotterdam Rules, Warsaw and Montreal (Air) Conventions, CMR. CIM
  • Marine Insurance Law: Marine Insurance Act 1906.
  • Key Principles of Marine Insurance: Insurable interest, misrepresentation and non-disclosure, indemnity, warranties
  • Sanctions: How economic and trade sanctions affect marine insurance. The sanctions screening process.
• Economic Environment
  • International trade and transportation
  • INCO Terms
  • International payments: Letters of credit
  • Key documents used in international trade: Letters of credit, invoices, bills of lading