Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass

Understanding and applying IMO conventions, national law, and compliance systems

Platform:

Online

In-class

Revised and Updated: 23 October 2026

Date	Venue	Duration
18 - 29 January 2027	Sandton, Gauteng	10 Days
12 - 23 April 2027	Sandton, Gauteng	10 Days
19 - 30 July 2027	Sandton, Gauteng	10 Days
06 - 17 September 2027	Sandton, Gauteng	10 Days

Course Introduction

Maritime transport carries about 80% of world trade by volume, and it operates under a dense body of international conventions, national laws, and fast-changing rules. Compliance is more than a legal requirement. It underpins safe operation, protection of the marine environment, seafarer welfare, and the continuity of the business. Failures can bring fines, detentions, liability claims, loss of insurance cover, damage to reputation, and, most seriously, loss of life and harm to the marine environment.

This five-day Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass gives a practical, structured understanding of maritime governance and compliance. Participants study the international legal framework and the role of the IMO, the main conventions and codes (SOLAS, ISM, ISPS, MARPOL, STCW, and the Maritime Labour Convention), how international rules become national law and are enforced, how to design and audit a compliance management system, and how liability, insurance, and dispute resolution link to compliance.

Through expert-led sessions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants learn to build a culture of compliance, prepare for inspections and audits, and anticipate regulatory change, from decarbonisation to digitalisation and autonomous shipping.

Course Objectives

By the end of this Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass, participants will be able to:

Explain the foundations of maritime governance and international maritime law
Describe the mandates and roles of the IMO and other international bodies
Interpret and apply the requirements of the major maritime conventions and codes
Explain how international rules are implemented in national law and enforced, including in South Africa and the region
Design and operate an effective compliance management system and internal audit programme
Prepare for and manage inspections, internal audits, and non-conformity reporting
Assess how compliance, liability, insurance, and dispute resolution interact
Develop practical strategies to build a culture of compliance and continuous improvement
Track and respond to emerging trends: decarbonisation, digitalisation, cyber security, and autonomous shipping

Who should attend?

Ship Owners, Operators, and Managers
Maritime Lawyers and Legal Practitioners
Port State Control and Flag State Officers
Maritime Regulators and Policy Makers
Compliance and Risk Managers (Maritime Sector)
Marine Superintendents and Technical Managers
Seafarers (Officers and Ratings aspiring to senior roles)
Marine Surveyors and Auditors

Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

Day 1 — Governance, International Law and the IMO

Module 1: Principles of Maritime Governance and International Law

Scope, stakeholders, and governance structures in the maritime domain
Sources of maritime law: conventions, customary law, and national statutes
UNCLOS as the foundational legal instrument, including maritime zones and state duties; the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), in force from January 2026
The South African legal base, including the Merchant Shipping Act, the SAMSA Act, and the Merchant Shipping Bill (confirm current detail)
Practical Exercise: Map the legal sources that apply to a sample ship trading to South African ports

Module 2: The Role of the IMO and the Global Regulatory Architecture

Structure, mandate, and decision-making processes of the IMO: the Assembly, Council, and committees
Development and global adoption of conventions and codes: adoption, entry into force, and tacit acceptance of amendments
Flag state, port state, and coastal state jurisdiction
The IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) and the IMO Member State Audit Scheme
Practical Exercise: Trace a recent amendment from proposal to entry into force and list who must act at each stage

Day 2 — Safety and Environmental Conventions

Module 3: SOLAS and the Safety Management Framework

SOLAS chapters: general provisions, construction, fire protection, life-saving appliances, and navigation
ISM Code: objectives, safety management systems, and audit processes; the Designated Person Ashore
ISPS Code: security plans, assessments, drills, and compliance obligations
Latest amendments and practical implications for vessel operations, including SOLAS changes in force from 1 January 2026: fire safety in ro-ro and vehicle spaces on new ships, roll-motion monitoring, and mandatory reporting of lost or drifting containers
Practical Exercise: Review a sample ship's safety management system against ISM Code requirements and list the gaps

Module 4: MARPOL and Environmental Compliance

Overview of the MARPOL Annexes: oil, noxious liquid substances, packaged harmful substances, sewage, garbage, and air emissions
Pollution prevention: equipment, procedures, and compliance strategies; emission control areas, including the Mediterranean (from 1 May 2025) and the newly adopted North-East Atlantic area
The Ballast Water Management Convention, the Anti-Fouling Systems Convention, the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling (in force from 26 June 2025), and new environmental requirements
Case studies in pollution prevention and incident response
Practical Exercise: Match a set of sample situations to the MARPOL Annex and record book entry each one requires

Day 3 — The Human Element: STCW and the Maritime Labour Convention

Module 5: STCW and Human Element Standards

Structure and objectives of the STCW Convention and Code
Certification, endorsements, and revalidation processes
Fatigue management, hours of rest, manning levels, and compliance monitoring
Developments: the ongoing comprehensive review of STCW, the IMO's work on fatigue, and training for new fuels (confirm current detail)
Practical Exercise: Audit a sample set of crew certificates and hours-of-rest records, and identify the non-compliances

Module 6: Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006)

The MLC as the "Seafarers' Bill of Rights"
Provisions on employment, welfare, accommodation, and medical care
The Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC), inspections, and enforcement; complaint procedures
The 2025 amendments, adopted in June 2025 and expected to enter into force in late December 2027, on shore leave, repatriation, harassment and bullying, and detained seafarers
Impact on crew management and ship operations
Practical Exercise: Prepare a sample company's response to an MLC inspection and a seafarer complaint

Day 4 — National Implementation, Enforcement and Compliance Systems

Module 7: National Implementation, Enforcement and Regional Cooperation

Translating international rules into national law
The role of maritime administrations, flag states, and port state control (PSC)
Inspection regimes, detention procedures, and follow-up actions
Regional cooperation and harmonisation, including PSC memoranda of understanding such as the Indian Ocean MOU and the Abuja MOU, and African maritime strategies (confirm current detail)
Practical Exercise: Role-play a Port State Control inspection that ends in a detention, then plan the response and release

Module 8: Compliance Management Systems and Internal Auditing

Designing compliance programmes: policies, procedures, and assignment of responsibilities; recognised standards such as ISO 37301 for compliance management
Internal audit planning, execution, and reporting
Non-conformity management, root cause analysis, and corrective action
Fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, including reporting channels and protection for people who raise concerns
Practical Exercise: Build a compliance register and an audit plan for a sample shipping company

Day 5 — Risk, Liability and the Future of Maritime Governance

Module 9: Beyond ISM/ISPS — Security, Cyber Risk and Emergency Management

The ISPS Code in depth: security plans, drills, and security levels
Cyber security: threats, the IMO requirement to address cyber risk in safety management systems, class requirements for new ships, and best practice for OT and IT
Accident investigation under the IMO Casualty Investigation Code, emergency preparedness, and crisis management
Integrated risk assessment for safety and security
Practical Exercise: Carry out an integrated safety and security risk assessment for a sample voyage

Module 10: Liability, Insurance and Dispute Resolution in Maritime Law

Liability regimes: CLC, HNS, LLMC, bunkers, and wreck removal conventions, and common law principles; the status of each convention (confirm current detail)
Types of marine insurance and their role in compliance: P&I, hull and machinery, and war risk
Claims management: from reporting to settlement
Dispute resolution: arbitration, mediation, and litigation, including admiralty jurisdiction in South Africa (confirm current detail)
Fair treatment of seafarers after an accident
Practical Exercise: Allocate liability and plan the claims steps for a sample collision and pollution incident

Module 11: Emerging Trends and the Future of Maritime Governance

Decarbonisation: the IMO greenhouse gas strategy, EEXI and CII, the status of the adjourned Net-Zero Framework, EU emissions trading, and FuelEU Maritime (confirm current detail)
Regulation of autonomous shipping: the IMO MASS Code, adopted in May 2026 as a voluntary instrument, and the path to a mandatory code
The blue economy: marine spatial planning (including South African law), integrated ocean management, and the BBNJ Agreement
Digitalisation: e-certificates, electronic reporting, the maritime single window, and remote compliance monitoring
Technology as a compliance enabler: AI, remote sensing, and data analytics
Review of key learning outcomes, group discussion, and certificate of completion
Practical Exercise: Draft a one-page regulatory horizon scan for your organisation, with the three changes that matter most and the actions they require

Course Categories

Office Administration Courses ❯ Audit, Risk And Governance ❯ Compliance Courses ❯ Finance Courses ❯ Human Resources Training & Development ❯ View All Course Categories ❯

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FAQs – Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass

Master maritime governance and regulatory compliance, covering international maritime law, IMO conventions, port regulations, safety standards, environmental obligations, and legal compliance.

What is covered in the Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass?

The masterclass covers maritime governance, international maritime law, IMO conventions, national legislation, safety and environmental compliance, compliance management systems, internal audits, liability, marine insurance, and emerging maritime regulations.

Who should attend the Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass?

The course is suitable for ship owners, operators, shipping managers, maritime lawyers, regulators, compliance and risk managers, port and flag state officers, marine superintendents, seafarers, marine surveyors, and auditors.

Which international maritime conventions and codes are covered?

Participants explore key international instruments, including SOLAS, the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, MARPOL, STCW, and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), with attention to their practical compliance requirements.

Does the course cover South African maritime law and regulatory enforcement?

Yes. The masterclass examines how international maritime rules are implemented through national legislation and enforced, including the South African maritime legal framework, maritime administrations, and port state control inspections.

Will I learn how to prepare for maritime compliance audits and inspections?

Yes. Participants learn about compliance management systems, internal audit planning, inspection preparation, non-conformity reporting, root cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement.

How long is the Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass?

The masterclass runs for five days and is available through online and in-class training. In-house training can also be arranged for organisations seeking a programme tailored to their teams.

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Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Masterclass

Understanding and applying IMO conventions, national law, and compliance systems

Course Objectives

Who should attend?

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Who should attend?

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