Kate Lewins

Ships are major contributors to global emissions of air pollutants, with their health and environmental effects being of particular concern in port cities and heavily populated coastal areas adjacent to major shipping lanes. This paper outlines the international regulations tackling two such ship pollutants, being oxides of sulphur (SOx) and particulate matter (PM). In order to understand the current regulatory strategy, it reviews the health and environmental impact of these emissions. The paper then addresses the 2020 sulphur cap on marine fuel imposed by MARPOL and its potential efficacy in reducing the health and environmental effects of shipping emissions. Examples of differing regional and national regulation of sulphur and PM are presented and discussed. The article questions whether the current international regulatory framework directed at reducing sulphur emissions from ships is an appropriate means to reduce PM emissions.

In England and its former colonies ship arrest(1) is an interim procedure overseen by courts exercising admiralty jurisdiction. It is available only for in rem claims.(2) The arrest on an in rem claim also gives the court the jurisdiction to hear the merits of the underlying dispute. To secure the claim against what is often the only asset in the jurisdiction, the claimant(3) is entitled to call upon the aid of the court to arrest the ship whilst the ship is within the jurisdiction of the court...

Australia is considering whether to accede to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 2002 (Athens 2002), an international convention that seeks to standardise the legal regime applicable to passengers carried by sea. (1) This is a welcome development; the author has long advocated for it. (2) While Athens 2002 is a compromise, it would benefit Australian consumers in a number of ways. (3)