This course will introduce the various concepts relating to the admiralty action in rem, which is the primary means by which a maritime claim is enforced. Topics will include: the nature of an action in rem; the subject matter of admiralty jurisdiction; the invocation of admiralty jurisdiction involving the arrest of offending and sister ships; the procedure for the arrest of ships; liens encountered in admiralty practice: statutory, maritime and possessory liens; the priorities governing maritime claims; and time bars and limitations. This course is essential to persons who intend to practice shipping law.

This course will give students a broad understanding of the law relating to the international carriage of passengers by sea. Topics to be covered include formation of contract, regulation of cruise ships, State jurisdiction over crimes against the person on board a ship, liability for accidents, limitation of liability, the Athens Convention 1974/1990, and conflict of laws/jurisdictional issues relating to passenger claims. This course will be useful for those who are intending to: practice law in a broadly focussed shipping practice; work within the cruise and ferry industry; or otherwise are likely to deal with passengers and/or their claims.

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.

This course aims to give students a firm foundation of existing law; a working understanding of standard form policies; and an understanding of the interaction between the Marine Insurance Act, case law and the Institute Clauses. Topics will include: types of marine insurance policies; insurable interest; principle of utmost good faith; marine insurance policies; warranties; causation; insured and excluded perils; proof of loss; types of losses; general average and particular charges; measure of indemnity and abandonment; mitigation of losses. This course will appeal to students who wish to specialise in either insurance law or maritime law.

This course provides students with the opportunity to do a substantial research paper under the direct supervision of a member of the academic staff. The topic for directed research must not have been studied in another course. Students may not do a research paper on a topic if they have previously done a research assignment on that topic for another course. Students interested in doing Directed Research are advised to seek the provisional approval of their proposed supervisor before opting for the subject.