(NEWS) New Open Access Book on Marine Technology and the Law of the Sea Presented at IMO Legal Committee

April

2026

New Open Access Book on Marine Technology and the Law of the Sea Presented at IMO Legal Committee

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A new open access book, Marine Technology, Ocean Development and the Law of the Sea, was presented by the World Maritime University (WMU), US Naval War College (NWC), and the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia (TGA) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London on 13 April 2026, during the 113th session of the Legal Committee (LEG 113).

The presentation at IMO was opened by WMU President, Professor Max Mejia, who highlighted the unique collaboration model for the publication and its importance in addressing many of IMO's most urgent regulatory challenges. “This is an excellent example of international partnership for the benefit of the global public, and I hope it inspires more of the same”, said President Mejia.

Remarks followed from H.E. Mr. Kamal Aljunaidi, IMO Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge for the public good, noting that investing in maritime scholarship is investing in the future of our oceans and the communities that depend on them.

The publication is freely available worldwide and represents a significant contribution to contemporary maritime legal scholarship for the benefit of IMO Member States, maritime administrators, and maritime and ocean law practitioners. Co-edited by WMU Associate Professor Lagdami, the book is a result of cross-institutional collaboration between the WMU, NWC and TGA. The volume brings together eleven outstanding legal scholars from multiple countries to address the most pressing regulatory challenges at the intersection of emerging marine technology and international maritime law and the law of the sea. Across 13 chapters, it addresses key issues including autonomous shipping, decarbonization, cyber risks, marine resources, scientific research, and maritime security—areas of growing importance for IMO Member States.

In addition to serving as co-editor, Dr Lagdami, the ITF Seafarers’ Trust Associate Professor of Maritime Labour Law & Policy at WMU, also authored the third chapter that explores the impact of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems on seafarers’ rights under the Maritime Labour Convention, highlighting challenges that are already beginning to materialise in practice.

The book evolved from a Memorandum of Agreement signed between WMU and TGA in 2023. As a result of that Agreement, TGA has hosted field studies for WMU students, and sponsored an Emerging Technology and Law of the Sea Workshop held at WMU in 2024, which became the inspiration and foundation for the book.

The open access volume is available via Cambridge Core through funding provided by the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia. To access the publication, click here.

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