Hong Kong is an important international maritime hub with a large ship register, a busy port and extensive financial, legal and marine insurance services. The course will cover the legal framework applicable to shipping in Hong Kong and internationally by studying five aspects of maritime law. The first aspect concerns the way ships are financed, acquired and disposed of. The second concerns the way ships are used for international trade. The third aspect concerns the operational risks faced by shipping businesses. The insurance of the commercial and operational risks and way creditors of the shipping industry are secured through the right to arrest the ship are the fourth and fifth aspects. The course will develop, in addition to a holistic understanding of the legal framework underpinning international trading competency with the specialised contracts routinely used in this field of law.

To pass this course, students must obtain an aggregate mark of 40% and a minimum of 30% in written examination and coursework activities i.e. tutorials and compulsory assignment.