IMO/ITLOS Workshop 28 March 2025

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) joint Workshop.

The  International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) joint Workshop, held at IMO Headquarters in London, brought together a range of legal experts from both organizations to discuss key maritime issues. 

The Workshop was aimed to promote dialogue on enhancing the enforcement of regulations at sea, particularly concerning vessel arrests, prompt release, fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries of ships. Focusing on a forward-looking approach to maritime law, the Workshop highlighted the importance of international collaboration in adapting to climate challenges and technological advancements.

The workshop was opened by a keynote speech from Mr Tomas Heidar, President of ITLOS, where he provided the ITLOS Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and the Ocean. Guests then heard from two experts on the arrest of vessels, before a second panel discussed the registration of vessels. 

This panel was opened with a presentation from ITLOS Judge, Ms. Ida Caracciolo on the Nationality and Registration of Ships. She was followed by Ms. Dorota Lost-Sieminska, Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations division of the IMO, highlighting the growing concern of Fraudulent Registration and Fraudulent Registries of Ships. The session was then concluded with a final presentation from the Head of the legal affairs unit of Cyprus' Shipping deputy Ministry, Ms. Lydia Markari-Kyriacou, where she discussed the importance of Due Diligence in Ship Registration from the Perspective of the Cyprus Flag Administration. All three presentations can be viewed here under Available Presentations.

The link to the recording of this Workshop can be found on this page in Related Links -please skip to 2:00:00 when the panel begins to discuss the registration of vessels.