The international conference “International Maritime and Transport Law Conference” was held from the 3rd to the 6th of September at the Inter-University Centre (IUC) in Dubrovnik, bringing together distinguished experts in the field of maritime and transport law from Europe, America, and Asia. This conference, now in its sixth consecutive year – including during the pandemic – represents one of the most important gatherings of experts in this sector. The main organiser was the Croatian Maritime Law Association, with the Faculty of Law at the University of Rijeka serving as co-organiser.
The event brought together 35 participants and was divided into several thematic panels that analysed the latest international and national regulations and exchanged views on their application. The aim of the conference was to inform participants about international trends, encourage critical discussion, and develop new proposals for further improvement of legal regulations in the maritime and transport sector.
Key Topics and Notable Speakers
The conference programme covered crucial topics such as the unification of rules on the carriage of goods by sea, autonomous vessels, electronic transport documents, and legal issues related to safety and digitalisation. A particular highlight was a panel dedicated to the Hague-Visby and Rotterdam Rules, as well as discussions on legal challenges in the era of maritime traffic automation.
Notable speakers included Prof. Michael Sturley (USA), who addressed international regulations for the carriage of goods by sea; Dr. Igor Vio (Croatia), president of the organising committee and moderator of several panels; Prof. Zuzanna Pepowska-Dąbrowska (Poland), who spoke on digital innovations in transport law; Massimiliano Musi (Italy), who presented on mobile offshore units and jurisdiction; and Patrick Vlačić (Slovenia), who focused on electronic transport documents.
In addition, other experts from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Spain, and Ukraine also enriched the programme. Abstracts of all presentations and biographies are available on the official conference website.
Social Programme: Experiencing Dubrovnik’s Heritage and Culture
Conference participants had the opportunity to enjoy a rich social programme that highlighted Dubrovnik’s unique cultural heritage. Organised activities included guided tours of the Old City and the Rector’s Palace, a visit to the Maritime Museum, a walk along the city walls, a panoramic cable car ride to Mount Srđ, and a boat trip to the island of Lokrum. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of IUC staff and the support of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, participants experienced Dubrovnik as an exceptional blend of history, hospitality, and expertise.
