The annual flagship event in the maritime law and policy realm, the "International Conference on Maritime Law & Policy," took place on October 13 at the National Taiwan Ocean University. Organized by NTOU's College of Ocean Law and Policy, this eighth installment of the conference revolved around the theme, "AI Impact on International Maritime Law." Esteemed experts from across the globe delved into three pivotal areas: "AI Autonomous Ships," "AI Applications in the Maritime Industry," and "The Impact of AI on Marine Science Research and Geopolitics." With over 250 professionals participating from various sectors, both domestically and internationally, the conference aimed to tackle the challenges posed by AI in maritime legal frameworks, encompassing topics such as maritime information monitoring, port management, and cargo transportation.

This international gathering featured the exceptional contributions of renowned scholars, including Dean Jason Chuah of the Faculty of Law at the University of Malaya in Malaysia, Professor Hakan Karan, who serves as the Chairman of the National Center for Maritime and Maritime Law at Ankara University in Turkey, Professor Michael Tsimplis from the City University of Hong Kong Law School, Lecturer Cuong Viet Do at the Faculty of Law of the National University of Vietnam, Poomintr Sooksripaisarnkit, a Lecturer at the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania, Mustafa Yilmaz, a Researcher at the City Law School of the University of London, and Rabia Yildirim, a Lecturer at Cankiri Karatekin University's Faculty of Justice in Turkey, among 13 other international scholars who shared their professional insights. The outcomes of this year's conference will be published in a special issue of the renowned international law journal, the Journal of International Maritime Law (JIML), and further indexed in the Elsevier database (Scopus).

President Tai-Wen Hsu gave an opening speech.

President Tai-Wen Hsu (許泰文) underscored the critical role of utilizing artificial intelligence in the maritime domain during his opening speech. AI's applications in areas such as route planning, tracking, and weather forecasting play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of individuals, ships, and cargo. The event organizers expressed their gratitude for the support from the Ocean Affairs Council (MOAC), the National Science Council, the Ministry of Transportation's Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB), the City Law School of the University of London, the Faculty of Law at the University of Malaya, the National Center for Maritime and Maritime Law at Ankara University, the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania, Lawtext Publishing, the Taiwan Bar Association, Swansea University Law School in the UK, the City University of Hong Kong Law School, and the Faculty of International Law at the National University of Hanoi in Vietnam. Co-organizing partners included the Department of Land Administration, Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd., Maxmart Shipping & Trading Co., Ltd., M.I.T. Chartering & Agency Co., Ltd., CR Classification Society, and the International Ocean Freight Forwarders & Logistics Association.

Minister of M.O.I, Mr. Kuo-Yung Hsu. Deputy Director of MPB, Mr. Pin-Chuan Chen.
General Managar of the Keelung Branch of the TIPC, Khwan-Kai Kao. Vice Convener of IOFFL Mr. Chun-Tse Wu. 

 

Minister of the Interior, Mr. Kuo-Yung Hsu (徐國勇), emphasized that ocean-related management originates from the Ministry of the Interior. Whether it involves managing maritime affairs, addressing climate change, or conserving marine resources, the integration of artificial intelligence is of paramount importance. This integration has substantial relevance to maritime law, and the discussions at this conference will be highly beneficial to maritime authorities.

Mr. Pin-Chuan Chen (陳賓權), Deputy Director of the Maritime and Port Bureau at the Ministry of Transportation, extended appreciation to NTOU's College of Ocean Law and Policy for hosting an annual international conference that delves into critical maritime issues. AI has already become deeply embedded in our daily lives, and the topics discussed today hold immense significance.

Furthermore, Chwan-Kai Kao (高傳凱), General Manager of the Keelung Branch of the Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd., Mr. Chun-Tse Wu (吳俊澤), Vice Convener of the International Ocean Freight Forwarders & Logistics Association, and An-Tai Wu (伍安泰), Council Member of the Taiwan Bar Association, each expressed their gratitude in their opening speeches. They acknowledged NTOU's contributions across various aspects of the maritime sector, its efforts in nurturing maritime professionals, and commended the dedication of the event's organizers.

Prof. Juei-Cheng Jao, expressing his gratitute to everyone in the conference.

Prof. Juei-Cheng Jao (饒瑞正), the Dean of the College of Ocean Law and Policy, who served as the conference organizer, expressed his gratitude for the support and assistance from various parties and emphasized the significance of industry support in academic endeavors. The conference provided a platform to present innovative and analytical research outcomes on vital AI maritime topics to the international community. Through advocacy on hot topics in maritime law and policy, it has also undertaken the social responsibility of NTOU's College of Ocean Law and Policy.

The conference also featured an on-site recognition of the winners of the "2023 3rd International Conference on Maritime Law & Policy Learning Experience Essay Competition." The competition received enthusiastic responses from high school, vocational school, and college students across Taiwan. The winners' list can be found here: [link].