Ocean Law Group
The Ocean Law Group is one of the Law Department’s society-driven complete academic environment groups, which means that it is organised around a desire to tackle certain societal challenges rather than being based on the logic of traditional legal subject areas. In this case, the challenges are those associated with making human use and interaction with the oceans ecologically, financially and socially sustainable. This entails working with the role of law and wider governance perspectives on activities such as maritime transport, resource extraction, energy generation, and nature preservation.
Based on this rationale, the group today comprises senior researchers and PhD candidates focusing on a variety of topics, ranging from electronic transportation documents, handling of wrecks and inter modal transport solutions, to maritime spatial planning, marine genetic resources, and legal preconditions for sustainable aquaculture - all united by their shared interest in the ocean and its sustainable and efficient utilisation and preservation. As regards traditional fields of law, the research and teaching activities of the members of the Ocean Law Group span several fields, including law of the sea, maritime law, aviation (air) law, international environmental law, international trade law, international contract law, EU environmental-, climate- and energy law, as well as Swedish and comparative administrative law.
Abhinayan Basu Bal, Assistant Lecturer in Private Law
Aron Westholm, Researcher in Ocean Governance Law, Maritime Law and Transport Law
Claes Martinson, Professor in Private Law and holder of the Torsten Pettersson chair in Maritime Law and other Transport Law
David Jersenius, Doctoral Candidate
Ellen Eftestöl, Visiting Professor of Maritime Law and other Transport Law
Gabriela Argüello Moncayo, Postdoc in Ocean Governance Law
Hugo Lundberg, Doctoral Candidate
Jakob Heidbrink, Senior Lecturer
Jhonnie Kern, Lecturer in Private Law and Maritime Law and other Transport Law
Johanna Gipperth, Doctoral Candidate
Jonas Kyrönviita, Doctoral Candidate in Public Law
Julia Johansson, Doctoral Candidate
Kristjan Laas, Doctoral Candidate
Lars-Göran Malmberg, Professor Emeritus
Lena Gipperth, Professor in Environmental Law
Niels Krabbe, Researcher in Ocean Governance Law, Maritime Law and Transport Law
Trisha Rajput, Assistant Professor in International Law
Vonintsoa Rafaly, Postdoc in Ocean Governance Law
Lovisa Norine Fransson, Doctoral Candidate
Ann-Sophie Sallander, Associate Professor in Public Law
Erika Danielsson, Communication Officer
NORDIC MARITIME LAW GATHERING 2024
Nordic Maritime Law Gathering was arranged for the third year on 7-8 March.
On day 1, Stena and Stena RoRo CEO Per Westling welcomed a group of enthusiastic students with content-rich presentations and discussions by and with contract experts Mattias Kjellberg, Filip Feurst and Örjan Karlsson.
After this, a visit to the bridge and engine rooms of Stena Jutlandica and a tasty lunch from the Stena restaurant together with Johan Gyllén, Operations Manager, Stena RoRo. Stena's presentation of one of last year's NMLG-participating students as a new employee naturally aroused interest
After lunch and a short walk to Mannheimer Swartling's nicely looking premises at the top of Våghuset for an overview of their maritime law work and a lecture with Mattias Arnesson, Senior Associate and Alexander Ivarsson, Partner.
Day one ended with a cosy mingle in the Malmstensvåningen at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg.
On day two, the Swedish Club welcomed us at the classic conference table and, as in previous years, offered a lot of useful information about how Martin Birgersson, Claims Manager and Aron Leth, Claims Executive reason. We were given presentations of both their work in insuring a global fleet and how a claim is handled from start to successful end. At the Swedish Club, we were also offered lunch and information about the opportunity to apply for a position.
The afternoon was devoted to discussions about theses on site at the School of Business. Both department staff and invited practising lawyers participated. The students also had the opportunity to discuss with each other in groups. Sowing the seeds for degree projects in maritime and transport law
The organisers, Professors Ellen J. Eftestøl and Claes Martinson, would like to thank all participants and especially the industry experts for their contribution to making the Nordic Maritime Law Gathering possible. Funding was generously provided by Stiftelsen Dispachören Kaj Pineus Forskningsfond.
Ongoing Projects
- Electronic Transport Records
- HITS/AIP project about communication systems and transport of hazardous materials
- SWEMARC - Swedish Mariculture Research Center. http://swemarc.gu.se
- Trade facilitation measures and its impact on trade operations
- ZORRO (Zostera marina restoration). No-net-loss and restoration of marine habitats: Legal and ecological constraints and solutions. 2011-2014. Funded by FORMAS and Gothenburg Centre for Marine Research. https://www.gu.se/forskning/zorro-tvarvetenskaplig-forskning-om-forvaltning-och-restaurering-av-algrasangar-i-sverige
Completed Projects
- CHANGE - Changing antifouling practices for leisure boats in the Baltic. Funded by BONUS. http://www.bonusportal.org/
- CodS – restoration and management of cod in the Skagerrak / Kattegatt. Co-funded by INTERREG IVA KASK Fund of the European Union.
- Legal aspects on governance of natural resources. 2013-2016 in cooperation with University of Nairobi. Funded by Swedish Research Council within the programme Research links.
- NICE - Novel instruments for effectbased assessment of chemical pollution in coastal ecosystems. 2012-2017. Funded by FORMAS as a strong research environment. https://nice.gu.se
- SPEQS - Systems Perspective on Environmental Quality Standards. Funded by Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Coordinated by Gothenburg Centre for Marine Research. http://speqs.se
Postdoc Projects
- Gabriela Argüello Moncayo, Marine Governance in the Arctic Marine Environment
Doctoral Candidate Projects
- Jonas Kyrönviita, Governing Sustainable Industries: the Aquaculture Example.
Funded by SWEMARC. http://swemarc.gu.se
Previous Activities
Seminar Legal Challenges Linked to Unmanned/Automated Ships, 27 September 2018, Professor Henrik Ringbom, Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law and Åbo Akademi University.
International Seminar, 26 October 2017, Governance in the Polar Regions: The Role of Law in Protecting Social and Environmental Values.
International Seminar, 23-24 October 2017, Supply Chain Finance and the Changing Landscape of International Trade.
International Conference, 7-8 november 2016, The Ecosystem Approach in Ocean Planning and Governance.
