A single vessel voyage can pass through territorial waters, international straits, and multiple ports, each governed by a different layer of law — national legislation, international convention, and contractual terms all applying at once. The Maritime Law & Shipping Regulations Training Course, delivered by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, is built to make sense of that overlap, covering the core pillars of international maritime law: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), marine insurance, and the legal responsibilities of carriers and shippers.

Rather than treating these as abstract legal texts, the course connects them directly to daily shipping operations — how carrier contracts are structured, how risk and liability are allocated, and how commercial maritime disputes actually get resolved. Participants leave with a working understanding of how international maritime law and national legislation interact, and how to apply that understanding to real operational and risk-management decisions.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Apply the international legal structure governing shipping and maritime transport to real operational situations.
• Interpret UNCLOS provisions and their effect on maritime sovereignty, navigation rights, and territorial waters.
• Work with IMO regulations covering maritime safety, vessel inspection, and environmental protection.
• Apply SOLAS requirements on board vessels and within port operations.
• Structure and negotiate shipping and maritime transport contracts, including the allocation of risk between carrier and shipper.
• Distinguish between types of marine insurance and understand risk-coverage and liability mechanisms.
• Manage commercial maritime disputes through arbitration and litigation channels.
• Assess legal obligations tied to marine environmental protection and pollution prevention.
• Build legal and regulatory compliance practices within shipping companies and maritime institutions.

Target Group

This course is designed for a wide range of professionals working in the maritime and shipping sector, including:

• Legal officers and consultants working in shipping companies and ports.
• Maritime operations managers, ship captains, and shipping officers.
• Employees of marine insurance companies and risk management departments.
• Compliance and regulatory affairs staff within maritime institutions.
• Customs officials and government authorities regulating maritime transport.
• Shipping brokers, freight forwarding agents, and customs clearance agents.
• Researchers and students specialising in international maritime law.
• Anyone developing their knowledge of the legal frameworks governing maritime operations and international trade.

Shipping Contracts and the Legal Relationship Between Carrier and Shipper

• Legal nature and function of bills of lading and charter party agreements.
• Distribution of responsibilities between carrier and shipper.
• Contractual obligations related to cargo delivery.
• Allocation of risk and liability within shipping contracts.

The International Legal Framework for Maritime Navigation (UNCLOS)

• Origin and development of international maritime law.
• Key provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• Maritime zones, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zones.
• Freedom of navigation and the rights of coastal and non-coastal states.

IMO Regulations and Safety Standards Under SOLAS

• The IMO's role as the UN's maritime regulatory body and its key conventions.
• Core requirements of the SOLAS Convention and onboard safety equipment.
• Crew training, certification, and watchkeeping standards.
• Vessel inspection, port state control, and flag state responsibilities.

Marine Insurance and Risk Allocation

• Types of marine insurance: hull, cargo, and liability coverage.
• Principles of risk assessment in maritime operations.
• Claims settlement procedures following accidents or losses.
• Protection and indemnity (P&I) club coverage and legal considerations in underwriting.

Resolving Maritime Disputes Through Arbitration and Litigation

• Legal methods for resolving commercial maritime disputes.
• International maritime arbitration procedures and the role of maritime courts.
• Cross-border enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards.
• Practical steps for managing a dispute from notice to resolution.

Carrier Liability and Marine Environmental Compliance

• Scope and limits of carrier liability toward cargo and passengers.
• Internationally recognised legal exemptions and limitation of liability.
• Legal obligations for preventing marine pollution and managing vessel emissions.
• National legislation, environmental compliance, and penalties for non-compliance.