This free online course will look below the water line at the unseen legal and transactional structures behind the shipping industry.

We will examine the process of acquiring and financing of new vessels and secondary market tonnage: from the various perspectives of a buyer, a seller, a ship-builder and a bank. We will explore the concept of flags of convenience and modern practice of ship registration.

You will develop an understanding of how the merchant fleets of the world are bought, sold and securitized – and how international conventions regulate ships wherever they are registered.

There are no special requirements for this course. This is an introductory course and is open to everyone who has an interest in developing their understanding of maritime law. It may be of particular interest to anyone with an interest in global trade; anyone working in the maritime industry (or working in sectors that support the maritime industry) and law students and lawyers considering careers in maritime law.