The Institute of Maritime Law was founded in 1982 to give focus to an existing interest in maritime and international trade law. These subjects had been an important feature of law at Southampton for some ten years. The Institute is now composed of some ten members and has a dedicated staff and an established international reputation. Although a part of the School of Law at the University of Southampton, the Institute is privately funded. It meets its costs from earned income and from sponsorship.

The Institute maintains a fully staffed office and employs a Research Assistant to assist with Institute projects. There is also a specialised library known as the Philippa Kaye Library which contains a wide range of maritime law materials. The Institute maintains a network of depositary organisations in connection with its ongoing work on the Ratification of Maritime Conventions and another with regard to the International Collection within the Library. Close connections are maintained with leading maritime lawyers, academics, maritime law associations and international organisation based all over the world. These include IMO, BMLA, IOPC, UNCITRAL, CMI as well as maritime law research centres at Oslo, Tulane, Rotterdam, and Hamburg to name but a few.

A large variety of courses and seminars are run by the Institute both in the UK and occasionally overseas. These range in length from the residential three week Maritime Law Short Course, to shorter seminars on points of particular interest.

The Institute undertakes consultancy on all aspects of maritime and shipping law. It has been commissioned by a large variety of bodies, associations, corporations and law firms to advise on UK, foreign, public international and convention law. It has written reports, both generally and upon specific issues, and has drafted a number of different types of document. Several members are closely involved in significant areas of law reform carried out both in the UK and at international levels.

In addition to the range of books and articles published by its academic members, the Institute has undertaken a major publication in its corporate name. The Ratification of Maritime Conventions, published with Informa Publishing, contains the full text of international conventions relevant to maritime and shipping matters together with up-to-date information about their ratification and status.

For information on the Institute's functions please visit http://www.soton.ac.uk/iml/

The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), established on January 27 2004, was created to forge a strong partnership between the public and private sectors.

As a private sector-led body, we provide the industry with a clear and representative voice. We also benefit from strong industry support, which has enabled us to tap directly into the community for new ideas and initiatives that benefit the maritime fraternity here. Our members cover the entire spectrum of the industry, including the marine, shipping, port and ancillary services sectors.

We also work closely with the Singapore Government to advance our joint vision of developing Singapore into a premier International Maritime Centre (IMC).

As the bridge between Government and the private maritime sector, we help initiate ideas and drive proposals to boost the sector’s development and grow the overall Singapore economy.

For information on SMF, please visit www.smf.com.sg