LAWSEA: NMF’s Annual Seminar on Public International Maritime Law

The LAWSEA is the National Maritime Foundation’s annual seminar series dedicated to examining contemporary and emerging challenges in Public International Maritime Law (PIML). Conceived as a recurring platform for dialogue, research, and policy engagement, LAWSEA seeks to bring together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, legal experts, maritime professionals, and students to deliberate upon the evolving legal dimensions of the maritime domain.

The origins of LAWSEA may be traced to 2021, when discussions were initiated on contemporary challenges under Public International Maritime Law. These early deliberations gradually evolved into a structured institutional effort within the NMF to identify key themes, develop concept notes, frame guiding questions, and engage experts on issues of maritime law and governance.

In 2025, this initiative was formally taken forward through the Inaugural NMF-KAS Seminar on Public International Maritime Law, organised in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The seminar marked an important step in institutionalising LAWSEA as an annual NMF platform focused on critical legal questions affecting the maritime domain.

LAWSEA is envisioned as a space for sustained engagement on issues such as maritime security, maritime governance, freedom of navigation, marine environmental protection, maritime zones, emerging technologies, critical maritime infrastructure, blue economy, and the legal implications of geopolitical developments at sea. By encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue, the platform aims to strengthen legal understanding, support informed policymaking, and contribute to India’s growing role in maritime affairs.

As an annual initiative, LAWSEA also provides an opportunity for researchers, legal scholars, domain experts, universities, think tanks, and partner institutions to contribute to meaningful conversations on the future of maritime law. Through seminars, research outputs, expert discussions, and student participation, LAWSEA seeks to build a wider community of practice around Public International Maritime Law.

The National Maritime Foundation welcomes collaboration, participation, and intellectual contributions from individuals and institutions working on maritime law, maritime security, ocean governance, and related areas.