Centre for Maritime Studies was launched on 23rd October, 2019, under the banner of Raffles University’s School of Law. The Internal Container Depot, being located at a stone’s throw from the University, in Bawal (Haryana) and others in Delhi, Haryana, and U.P., leads one to believe that today, the Maritime Trade, is not from port to port , but from Warehouses to Ports. , 21st Century is said to be a Maritime Century. Oceans, are a huge reservoir, of resources that control , the development, and sustainability of all economies, right across the globe and India is not an exception, as here also, seas and ocean , are central to India’s economic growth, and have been pivotal, for its transformed strategic profile, in the 21st Century. This is best understood by the growing Sea Trade ( 90% by Volume and 70% by value is carried on board ships), , recognition of the importance of port led development (SAGARMALA) , and sustainable development of marine resources, and services ( Blue Economy) for inclusive. ,

The , Contemporary Mantra ‘security and growth for all’, i.e. SAGAR, , articulated by Govt. of India, , resonates at the national level as also across the wider Indian Ocean. This seminal maritime vision, and practice is vulnerable, to a number of challenges, which attract regulatory and legal response, both at the National and International levels. ,

The National Legal Framework, , as also the associated human resource, , has to keep pace, with the maritime vision, and address the glaring gaps, for timely and successful adjudication. , Besides, the infrastructure, is weak resulting in many lawsuits, being adjudicated in International Arbitration Centers, in countries outside India, , majorly, in United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and even Sri Lanka. ,

The maritime domain, is under transformation , offering newer opportunities, in terms of goods and services, led by technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Robot, Drones, , etc. are overwhelming, the way maritime world conducts, its business and operations. Blue Economy which, according to World Bank, , is the sustainable use, of ocean resources, for economic growth, improved livelihoods, , and jobs, , while preserving the health of ocean eco system. , The Blue Economy, is offering newer prospects, that transcend the traditional sectors , and requires deeper legal understanding of the environment-ecology-socio-economic matrix. , Likewise, underwater digital-energy-electricity highways, are posing new legal challenges, for sea floor management. , Realizing the growing need, for strengthening, the existing knowledge base, taking into account the most contemporary developments, the CMS has been established.

Objectives:

The Centre would promote the Teaching, Research, Training and Extension Activities in the area concerning the Law of the Sea, Maritime Trade and Practices, Maritime Safety, Maritime Insurance, Marine Environment and Polices, and Maritime Labour linked with the others non land lock region in India and the coastal region in India for the enhancement of the shipping and maritime clusters.

Vision:

• To become the Centre of Excellence for Maritime Studies in India.
• To provide excellent platform for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Teaching , Research and Trainings.
• To create a network with other institutions and organizations for Teaching, Training and Research.
• To become the Centre for Capacity Building in the subject of Maritime Affairs.

For more info:

Workshop Law of Sea

Maritime-Raffles University