A Research Agenda for Maritime Law

In an era marked by profound technological, environmental and regulatory transformations, Maritime Law is evolving at an unprecedented pace. This volume brings together academic and practice-oriented perspectives to explore emerging challenges, new legal paradigms and the future direction of Maritime Law in an increasingly complex and turbulent global environment. From digitalisation, autonomous shipping and artificial intelligence to cybercrime, smart contracts and smart ports; from the private-law challenges of maritime decarbonisation to the legal implications of polar shipping, the book examines some of the most pressing issues shaping the maritime sector. It also revisits foundational questions, including the identification and systematisation of the universal principles of Maritime Law, while critically exploring the evolving role of international conventions in global maritime regulation. The ambition of the Authors was to contribute to a forward-looking research agenda capable of bridging established legal principles and emerging challenges, combining doctrinal rigour with fresh perspectives on the forces reshaping the maritime world. At a time when the sea remains central to global trade, economic development and international relations, understanding these transformations is more important than ever.