Maritime law plays a vital role in the protection of national security. It establishes rules for the use of military forces on the high seas and provides a legal basis for the prosecution of piracy, terrorism and other threats to maritime security. Additionally, maritime law regulates the activities of fishing vessels, oil rigs and other non-military ships, ensuring that they operate in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Anzac fall in behind HMAS Ballarat during a formation entry into Cockburn Sound at the end of the first week of Exercise Ocean Explorer 17.

One of the key aspects of maritime law is the regulation of international trade and commerce. The oceans are vital channels for the global movement of goods, and maritime law establishes rules and procedures for the safe and efficient transport of cargo. It also provides mechanisms for resolving disputes that may arise in the course of international trade, such as contract disputes, cargo damage claims and insurance issues.

Maritime law is also essential for the resolution of disputes related to the delimitation of maritime boundaries, the exploitation of undersea resources and the protection of the marine environment. It provides a framework for the negotiation and implementation of treaties and other international agreements related to these issues, and it establishes procedures for the peaceful resolution of disputes that may arise.

Learn more:

Reflections on the Royal Australian Navy and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982

The Impacts of Climate Change on maritime Boundaries in the Western Pacific

Analysis of Contemporary and Emerging Navigational Issues in the Law of the Sea

Freedom of Navigation in the Indo-Pacific Region

Protecting Australia’s Maritime Trade: The Need to Plan Now to Bring the Future into the Present

Protecting the National Interest: Naval Constabulary Operations in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone