Chennai: Indian Maritime University (IMU), in association with Malta-based International Law Institute (ILI), will offer a specialized course in Maritime Law, from the academic session commencing in June 2010. Also, a department of Maritime Law will also be set up in the university.
The announcement was made by Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan on Sunday i.e. on April 11, 2010. Also, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily and Vasan, between IMU Vice Chancellor P. Vijayan and the Vice Chancellor of National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU), R. Venkata.
According to the MoU, two elective subjects in Maritime Law will be offered by IMU to the undergraduate students. In addition, Mr. Vijayan stated that the two-year course would be offered at the IMU campuses located both in Chennai and Cochin. However, if a MoU is signed with Malta, the students will also be provided with an option to study the course for a year at ILI, Malta.
Furthermore, Mr Moily gave the keynote address and said that there were several issues of concern in the shipping industry such as piracy, climate change, shortage of manpower and environmental issues.
