Current Development – Exploration of Blue Economy: a Prognosis of its Sustainability in the Wave of Maritime Rascality

28 October 2025 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

The spate of rascality, such as kidnapping, piracy, terrorism, and hijacking in the maritime domain, is hampering the exploration and exploitation of the marine and blue economy globally. Nigeria has taken a cue from other maritime nations by establishing frameworks in line with various international conventions to ensure a functional blue economy and to ensure …More

Due Diligence Obligations Under UNCLOS: Navigating the Conduct- Result Dichotomy in the Context of Ocean Climate Change

23 July 2025 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

Under the prevailing consensus that Articles 192 and 194(1)(2) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) constitute due diligence obligations as obligations of conduct, small island states have advocated that in the context of climate change, these provisions should go beyond the due diligence obligations and encompass obligations of result. …More

Current Development – Comment to Directive (EU) 959/2023 establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union and Decision (EU) 1814/2015 concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union greenhouse gas Emission Trading System

23 July 2025 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

With the adoption of EU Directive 959/2023, the scope of the European Trading System (ETS) has been extended to international maritime navigation. Following a usual pattern in this régime, the Directive sets out mandatory reduction targets, made more flexible by the possibility to allocate free GHG allowances, while establishing the application of a 50% share …More

Current Development – Aspects Related to the Presence of Asbestos in Ships

30 June 2025 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

The use of asbestos on board ships arises from the need to adapt to the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Human Life at Sea (SOLAS, Safety Of Life At Sea, 1914). This was the first version of a fundamental International Treaty for the Safety of Merchant Ships. Through consultation the AMINAVI …More

The Challenges of the Delimitation of Extended Continental Shelves by UNCLOS Part XV Tribunals: the ‘Significant Uncertainty’ Criterion

30 June 2025 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

This article explores the relationship between the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and dispute settlement tribunals under Part XV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While the CLCS is tasked with examining scientific claims for continental shelf extensions beyond 200 nautical miles, only Part XV …More

Current Development – Recent Attacks on Maritime Security in the Red Sea. An Indian Perspective

17 March 2025 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

The Red Sea, a vital maritime corridor linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean, facilitates approximately 12% of global trade. Since October 2023, the Yemeni militia Ansar Allah (Houthis) has intensified assaults on commercial vessels, disrupting trade and prompting military responses from the United States and Britain. This research evaluates the effectiveness of international maritime …More

Collided Interests at Seas: How to Protect Navigational Safety while Offshore Renewable Energy Activities are Increasing

4 December 2024 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

Competition for maritime zones is growing. International regulations are crucial to finding a balance between different activities in seas and oceans. While offshore renewable energy activities are increasing, most bottom-fixed or floating renewable energy installations are located close to the shoreline and nearby shipping lanes. This paper discusses the possible conflicts between the navigation of …More

The impact of Regulation (EU) 2023/2631 on the blue economy and on the aim of preserving oceans and marine biodiversity

29 November 2024 | by Ludovica De Benedetti

Climate change has forced governments to take actions in order to preserve, among other things, marine biodiversity, whose survival is threatened by pollution and human activities. The so-called blue economy – which represents a peculiar form of green economy – covers a broad group of activities related to oceans and seas which must be carried …More

Towards a Maritime Security Governance Framework in the Gulf of Guinea

23 May 2024 | by Editorial Board

The significance of the ocean in terms of its economic potential is well established, however, it is plagued with many threats and challenges which call for a proper examination of its management and governance. This paper examines the legal and institutional frameworks at the global, regional, sub-regional, and national levels for governance of the oceans …More