Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Introduction to Maritime Law Course

Discover the foundations of maritime law, a key discipline for understanding the rules that govern activity on the oceans. This course gives you an overview of the sources of maritime law, the parties involved and its areas of application, from shipping and safety to the protection of the marine environment and the resolution of disputes, and prepares you to analyze practical cases and understand the legal challenges facing today's maritime sector.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Introduction to Maritime Law Course?

This short course is a structured first approach to the law that governs ships, boats and maritime activities. You will study how maritime law differs from the law of the sea, port law, naval law and nautical law; the activities it regulates, from navigation, shipping and fishing to leisure boating, ports, insurance, salvage and pollution; the main parties, such as shipowner, operator, master, skipper, crew, shipper, agent, insurer, maritime authority and port; its sources in national law, international conventions, regulations, contracts and maritime usage; the legal concept of a ship or boat and its registration, flag and documentation; carriage, charter, towage, pilotage and nautical service contracts; civil liability for damage; maritime accidents such as collision, grounding, sinking and fire; and salvage, assistance and the duty to render aid.

What sets this course apart: a global legal framework that connects international conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW and the ISM Code with national rules and case law; a practical focus on bills of lading, charter parties and marine insurance, including P&I cover; clear explanations of liability for collisions, pollution and salvage and of how disputes are settled through arbitration and litigation; analysis of real cases and case law; and an applied project in which you build a basic legal file and incident protocol for a real or realistic maritime activity.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Foundations: maritime law, law of the sea, port law and their sources.
  • Ships and boats: legal concept, registration, flag, ownership and documentation.
  • Maritime contracts: carriage of goods, bills of lading, charter, towage and pilotage.
  • Nautical services: charter, boat rental, excursions and passenger transport.
  • Liability and accidents: collision, grounding, sinking, fire, salvage and the duty to assist.
  • Applied project: a legal file and incident protocol for a real maritime case.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Introduction to Maritime Law Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of maritime law, nautical activity and the legal framework of the maritime sector

  • 1.1. The concept of maritime law and the differences between maritime law, the law of the sea, port law, naval law and nautical law
  • 1.2. Regulated activities: navigation, shipping, fishing, leisure, ports, insurance, salvage, pollution and maritime services
  • 1.3. Main parties: shipowner, operator, master, skipper, crew, shipper, ship agent, insurer, maritime authority and port
  • 1.4. The relationship between vessel, flag, registration, ownership, liability and safe operation
  • 1.5. Sources of maritime law: national laws, international conventions, regulations, contracts, maritime usage and port rules
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Ships, boats, registration, documentation and basic responsibilities

  • 2.1. The legal concept of a ship and a boat and the differences between recreational, commercial, professional, fishing and auxiliary use
  • 2.2. Registration, flag, home port, certificates, navigation permits and documents required on board
  • 2.3. Ownership, sale, lease, charter, transfer of use and changes of ownership of vessels
  • 2.4. Responsibilities of the owner, shipowner, skipper, master, operator and authorized user
  • 2.5. Inspections, seaworthiness certificates, mandatory equipment, insurance and document upkeep
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Maritime contracts, carriage, charter and nautical services

  • 3.1. Foundations of maritime contracts and the differences between contracts of carriage, charter parties, yacht charter, towage, pilotage and port services
  • 3.2. Carriage of goods by sea, the bill of lading, the carrier's liabilities and the shipper's obligations
  • 3.3. Charter and boat rental contracts, nautical excursions, passenger transport and maritime tourism services
  • 3.4. Contractual obligations, conditions of use, cancellations, damage, delays, force majeure and claims
  • 3.5. Commercial documentation, invoices, bookings, insurance, authorizations, terms of service and consumer protection
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Maritime safety, civil liability, accidents and salvage

  • 4.1. Foundations of maritime safety and the obligations of prevention, prudence, maintenance and safe operation
  • 4.2. Civil liability for damage to people, vessels, port facilities, cargo, the environment and third parties
  • 4.3. Maritime accidents: collision, allision, grounding, sinking, fire, man overboard, injuries and material damage
  • 4.4. Maritime salvage, assistance, towage, the duty to render aid and coordination with the competent authorities
  • 4.5. Incident investigation: reports, evidence, witnesses, surveys, expert opinions, claims and possible penalties
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Applied project in introduction to maritime law

  • 5.1. Definition of the case: recreational boat, charter, maritime excursion, nautical service, transport operation, marina or maritime incident
  • 5.2. Basic legal diagnosis of the case covering parties, documents, permits, contracts, insurance, risks and liabilities
  • 5.3. Preparation of the legal file with the documentation of the vessel, the activity, insurance, authorizations and required records
  • 5.4. Analysis of the obligations relating to safety, civil liability, environmental prevention and operational compliance
  • 5.5. Design of a response protocol for incidents, claims, inspections, casualties or maritime emergencies
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Introduction to Maritime Law Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Introduction to Maritime Law Course

01Interpret and apply international maritime regulations, identifying the SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW conventions and their impact on the safe operation of the ship, incident reporting and Port State Control inspections.
02Analyze and assess charter parties and marine insurance contracts, identifying critical clauses, evaluating risks and checking that cover is suitable for the cargo and the route.
03Understand and manage the legal aspects of the carriage of goods by sea, applying the relevant national and international rules on contracting, documentation and the resolution of disputes.
04Approach maritime disputes and claims by analyzing the relevant documents and evidence, such as logbooks, records and expert reports, to establish the cause of an incident and the liability of each party.
05Apply the legal framework to the registration and financing of ships, with attention to international and national rules and to compliance in documentation and registration procedures.
06Identify and prevent legal risks in maritime activity by reviewing maritime contracts such as charter parties and insurance policies in the light of international regulations, so as to avoid disputes and penalties.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Introduction to Maritime Law Course

01Maritime lawyerlegal advice on contracts of carriage, marine insurance, claims and litigation, after completing the legal qualifications required in each country.
02Maritime law consultantpreparing legal reports and opinions for companies in the maritime sector.
03Legal adviser in shipping companiescontract management, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution.
04Public officialwork in government bodies responsible for the regulation and control of maritime traffic.
05Marine insurance managerrisk assessment, policy management and claims handling.
06Maritime arbitration supportassisting in the resolution of commercial disputes in the maritime sector through arbitration.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Introduction to Maritime Law Course

It regulates maritime activities, including navigation, shipping and trade, ships and the people on board, accidents, salvage and the protection of the marine environment.

The body of rules and principles that govern maritime activity: ships and their registration, the people on board, the goods carried and liability for damage caused at sea or in connection with maritime activities.

Maritime law deals mainly with private and commercial relationships such as contracts, liability and insurance, while the law of the sea is public international law on maritime zones, navigation rights and resources. The first module explains how they relate.

No. It is an introductory course designed for both legal and non-legal profiles; a background in law or the maritime sector helps, but the key concepts are explained from the beginning.

No. Navalis Institute provides an introduction to maritime law; practicing law requires the qualifications and professional registration set by each country.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with real cases, analysis of case law and practical exercises.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at lawyers and legal advisers who want to specialize in maritime rules, shipping professionals such as shipowners, charterers, insurers and brokers, law students, public officials in port authorities and coastguards, and surveyors and consultants; a degree in law, business, economics or a related field, or professional experience in the maritime or legal sector, is helpful but not essential.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents and legal texts.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $160 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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