Maritime Environment Policy and Law

Cambodia and Thailand will begin formal UNCLOS maritime conciliation talks in Singapore from September 14–16, marking the first formal stage of an international process aimed at peacefully resolving their longstanding overlapping maritime claims.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday announced Pakistan’s first 10-year national plan of action for shark conservation, sustainable fisheries management and stronger protection of marine resources.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in launching the ATLAS initiative, a new international platform focused on the safe, secure and safeguarded use of nuclear technologies at sea.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) is urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to protect traditional commercial fishing grounds as the agency prepares for the next round of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in U.S. waters

The European Commission has proposed extending the Bay of Biscay fishing closure into winter 2027 as part of broader EU fishing regulations and marine conservation measures aimed at protecting common dolphins and other small cetaceans.

Singapore and Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Singapore-Brazil Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).

The European Commission has approved a €285 million Italian State aid scheme to support agricultural, fishing and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel and fertiliser prices linked to the Middle East crisis.

Maritime officials from six West and Central African countries are taking part in a regional training course in Accra, Ghana, from 24–28 August, aimed at strengthening seafarer assessment, maritime certification and competency standards across the region.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for immediate international action following a renewed increase in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden, warning that the deteriorating security situation is putting seafarers at growing risk.

China has approved the construction of a marine environmental observation station in the Zhongsha Islands, covering an area that includes the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

Nine shipbreaking workers were killed and six others injured after exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas at the Ferdous Steel shipbreaking yard in Chattogram, Bangladesh.

Oman’s Environment Authority is continuing monitoring and response operations following an oil pollution incident, with the latest field assessments showing that approximately 12 kilometres of coastline in the Ras Madrakah area have been affected.

Mozambique has taken a major step toward strengthening maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and regional cooperation after completing a strategic roadmap for the establishment and operation of its National Maritime Information Sharing Centre (NMISC).