Poland from : Marek Grzybowski
X Conference on Maritime Law entitled “Contemporary problems and future challenges of maritime law” was held on April 21, 2022. The conference was held at the University of Gdańsk, a member of the Baltic Sea and Space Cluster.
The conference was organized by the Department of Maritime Law of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk and the ELSA (European Law Students Association) Gdańsk. The Panel of Young Lawyers Scientists took place the day before.
Jakub Puszkarski opened the conference. He is the initiator of the conference and one of its main organizers. The conference participants were welcomed on behalf of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk – prof. Wiesław Laskowski, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research of the University of Gdańsk. Prof. Marcin Michał Wiszowaty,
Vice-Dean for International Cooperation and Development of the Faculty of Law and Administration, welcomed the invited participants and panelists of the conference on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration. Professor Dorota Pyć recalled the topics of previous conferences and informed about her latest, co-authored work “Maritime Code – comments”.
Sea Shipping and Paradigms of Maritime Law
“Sea Shipping in the Network” – the horizon of changes in the global maritime sector was discussed in Panel I. Contemporary problems of maritime law were presented in Panel II. Future challenges of maritime law were presented in Panel III.
The first panel was chaired by prof. Dorota Pyć. The participants were: Dr. Dorota Lost-Siemińska, from the International Maritime Organization (IMO); layer Paweł Krężel, Ministry of Infrastructure; Magda Kopczyńska, from the European Commission and Łukasz Greinke, President of the Port of Gdansk Authority S.A.
The participants discussed the globalization of maritime trade, the paradigms of maritime law, and new technologies in the development of green shipping and ports.
– The IMO has adopted over 50 treaties and many codes to ensure safe and environmentally friendly shipping. It’s about eliminating fake registries and fake certificates. IMO is constantly working to improve the treaties. The idea is that the regulations could apply in 175 countries that are IMO members – said Dr. Dorota Lost-Siemińska.
– The 27 EU countries have a similar approach to the law applicable to maritime transport. Shipowners and European ports cope well with the difficulties caused by the covid-19 pandemic. The European Commission submits the IMO regulations to the law of the European Union and EU member states – said Magda Kopczyńska.
Polish ports operated well
– Polish ports operated well during the pandemic and recorded an increase in turnover. Now they are developing digitization and introducing PCS – said Paweł Krężel.
The Port of Gdansk focuses on the implementation of digitization, LNG bunkering, installation of transport systems, and electric cranes at the Baltic Hub 3 DCT Gdansk terminal. A great challenge is a construction of an installation terminal for the Polish offshore wind sector – said Łukasz Greinke
Panel participants agreed that decarbonization, digitization, and ships with different levels of autonomy are challenges for participants in the maritime transport network, maritime administrations, and lawmakers.
Competition and Cybersecurity
Contemporary problems of maritime law were presented in Panel II, led by attorney-at-law Dr. Roman Olszewski, from the Attorney Law Firm.
In the second panel, contemporary problems of freight forwarding and logistics were discussed by President Marek Tarczyński from the Polish Chamber of Forwarding and Logistics. He pointed out that after the liquidation of the conference system operators have established logistics systems covering the entire sea-land supply chains. Competition in maritime transport has been restricted. Large operators dominate and dictate the terms of operation to shippers – claims Tarczyński.
The requirements for maritime cybersecurity were discussed by Magdalena Jabłonowska from LOTOS Petrobaltic S.A. She gave examples of cyber attacks against shipowners and other companies operating in the maritime business.
War and Insurance
The impact of global problems on shipping in the Baltic Sea region was presented by the lawyer Dr. Krzysztof Kochanowski from Mar-Consult. He stated that deliveries to Polish ports will decrease by about 80 million tons, and insurers may terminate insurance in the event of a situation such as the Black Sea in the Baltic Sea.
The main challenges in the marine insurance market were presented by Marek Lewandowski from Warta S.A. The insurance market is influenced by armed conflicts at sea, piracy, pandemics, digitization, and climate change which are creating new extreme situations at sea and in ports. A new challenge for insurers is the risks caused by the development of new technologies for the propulsion of ships and renewable energy.
Green Deal, Wind Offshore, Smart Port
“Future challenges of maritime law” was the main topic in Panel III, which was led by an attorney-at-law. Dominika Wetoszka, PhD, from the Pomeranian Bar Association. Panel participants presented the results of research on the directions of development and legislative paradigms.
“The goals and challenges of the European green deal in the field of maritime transport” was discussed by Dr. hab. Anna Dobaczewska, prof. UG. Challenges and conclusions for maritime transport and critical infrastructure as a result of the war in Ukraine – presented by the lawyer Paweł Krężel.
The development of offshore wind energy in Poland – presented by Dr. Sylwia Mrozowska, prof. UG, from the Center for Sustainable Development of the University of Gdańsk. The innovation development and implementation in the seaport – presented by dr hab. Hanna Klimek, prof. UG, from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Gdańsk and Dr. Beata Szymanowska, Port of Gdynia Authority S.A.
– Intelligent container management systems, remote crane operations, innovative technologies used in terminal construction, unmanned automated container terminals, wireless control systems, remote monitoring and management platforms, computerization of the inventory and equipment register, and Port Community Systems – are some of the innovations operating in the leading seaports, informed prof. Klimek and dr Szymanowska.
The honorary patronage over the conference was taken by: Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of the City of Gdańsk, Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the Uniwersytet Gdański, Prof. Wojciech Zalewski, Dean of the Wydział Prawa i Administracji, UG.
