Course Title: Maritime Law

L T

Course Code:
Credit Units: 3
Course Objective:

P/ SW/F TOTAL
S
W
CREDI
T
UNITS
3

The objective of the course is to familiarize the students with the

various laws in relation to maritime. In a time when transportation
at sea takes new technology as a competitive advantage towards
other means of transportation and with the congestions on the
roads in Europe the seagoing trade sees a new dawn. It is
therefore important that the legal aspect of maritime activities
closely follows this development. The objective of this course is to
train students to meet the markets demands for lawyers able to
understand and assess the growing market, and with strong
knowledge on the regulatory framework to support the
sustainable development of global seagoing trade.
The recent years of development within different fields of
maritime activity calls for more and more lawyers with a
specialized knowledge of maritime law. The needs for lawyers
come from all fields in the maritime context. The transport
industry needs lawyers with an advanced academic background in
maritime law. So does the governments for both the diplomatic
service in international organizations and in domestic work such
as the flag and port state control issues.

Pre-requisites:
The structure of the course is to show how international, regional and domestic
sources of law interact and create tensions and legal issues, inducing effects and
consequences on the shipping industry and the environment.
Student Learning Outcome:
The student shall be able to show with regard to:
Knowledge and Understanding
Knowledge and in-depth understanding on how the rules both international
and regional are interacting on maritime activities
A deep insight into the latest research and
The student will also be able to show in-depth knowledge of research
methodologies and the application of these methodologies in a maritime
context.
These learning outcomes will be achieved through a pedagogy which includes
lectures, Class discussion and Project assignments.
Skills and Abilities
An ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to
analyze, judge and manage complex issues and situations even with limited
information on the subject issue
An ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate
legal issues in a maritime legal context.
Furthermore the student will
be able to show the ability to plan and carry out qualified tasks through
adequate methods in set timeframes and by doing so contribute to the
development of knowledge
be able to show the ability to evaluate the outcomes of his or her work
be able to show in oral as well as in written form, the ability to describe and
discuss the findings and conclusions in their work and the knowledge and
the arguments upon which the conclusions are founded
be able to show this ability both in a national and in an international context
and
Values and Attitudes

 An ability to show an attitude objectively, critically and ethically in judging

the legal developments related to Maritime Law and the impact it has on a
national level as well as on the global arena
An ability to show a consciousness of ethical aspects in global maritime
market and intends to raise perspectives on the protection of contradictory
interests in a sustainable national, regional and international legal
framework.
The student will learn to understand the wide perspective of maritime law and also
understand the impacts on other areas with legal implications and to identify its
own needs of knowledge and to take responsibility for its further development of
knowledge.
Course Contents/Syllabus:
Weighta
ge %

Module I: Introduction

20%

Introduction to International Law in maritime context, Nature and

Scope of Maritime Law, Customary law and treaty law,
International Organizations, Regional Organizations, General,
practical and economic aspects of maritime shipping, Introduction
to Law of Carriage, Maritime legislations in India
Module II: International Law on Shipping and Trade

25%

International sale of goods, Carriage of goods, Charter parties,

Basic principles of marine insurance, Law of maritime safety, Law
of maritime security, The Marine Insurance Act, 1963, The (Indian)
Bills of Landing Act, 1856, The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act,
1925
Module III: General Shipping Law

25%

Nationality, registration and ownership of ships, Law relating to

maritime accidents and groundings, Law relating to wreck and
salvage, Law relating to towage and marine pilotage, Maritime
liability and its limitations
Module IV: Admiralty Jurisdiction

30%

Historical Background, The "Navigable Waters "Issue, Admiralty

Jurisdiction in Tort Cases, Admiralty Jurisdiction in Contract
Cases, Warranty of Seaworthiness, Injuries to Seamen, Merchant
Shipping Act 1958, Multimodal Transportation of Goods Act 1993

Pedagogy for Course Delivery:

The course will be conducted using lectures, assignments. The students will be
acquainted with important case laws on the subject to understand the intricacies of
the subject.
Lab/ Practical details, if applicable: NA
List of Experiments: NA
Assessment/ Examination Scheme:

Assessment/ Examination Scheme:

Theory L/T (%)

Lab/Practical/Studio (%)

30%

NA

Theory Assessment (L&T):

Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment

Components (Drop
down)

Mid-Term
Exam

Project

Viva

10%

10%

5%

Weightage (%)

Attendance