International Seegerichtshof: Hamburg's key role in maritime law

International Seegerichtshof: Hamburg's key role in maritime law

Hamburg, Deutschland - The International Seegerichten Court (ISGH) in Hamburg celebrates a concise role in the world of sea law. Founded in 1982, but only in 1994 by the Serechs Convention (SRÜ), the ISGH established itself as a central institution for the decision of disputes in connection with the global seas. But what exactly does the SRÜ and ISGH do?

The lean -law agreement comprises a total of 320 items and regulates significant points such as the delimitation of marine zones, the protection of the marine environment and the use of resources on the world's oceans. It also deals with questions of shipping, fishing and scientific marine research. The sea floor was declared as a common legacy of mankind in order to promote cooperation among the states and to avoid environmental damage. In addition, the SRÜ brings with it important regulations for dispute resolution, which are pursued as part of the ISGH to ensure peace and legal clarity on the world's oceans, such as bpb.de.

Development and structure of the ISGH

After long negotiations in the 1960s, the first election of the 21 judges of the court who had a term of nine years took place on August 1, 1996 in New York. The seat of the Court was officially opened on July 3, 2000. This location in Hamburg is not only geographically cheap, but also symbolically for international cooperation in maritime law. The costs of the ISGH are borne by 170 contracting states, which underlines the broad support for the principles of the SRÜ AUBAertiges-amt.de.

The decisions of the ISGH are internationally binding. Judges such as the release of the crew of the Greenpeace ship "Arctic Sunrise" or the arrangement for the return of ships in the Asowian sea are just a few examples of the reach of jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the Court of Justice is often criticized due to the small number of negotiated cases, which some observers consider as a sign of inefficient enforceability of the judgments.

the legal framework and the challenges

The SRÜ also contains special provisions on the regulation of the sea floor mining, an increasingly important topic in view of resource shortage and climate change. There are numerous disputes about the delimitation of sea areas and the protection of the marine environment. 167 states, including the EU, have ratified the SRÜ; However, the United States has not joined, which excludes its support in international maritime conflicts. The [Federal Environment Agency] (https://www.umweltbundeamt.de/themen/nachhalthaft-strategies-internationales/arktis/ Lawlich- Institutional-institutional-er-arktis/das-seerechtsueberungen-der-Vereinten-Nations) points out that small island states in particular increasingly be on the ISGH To request greenhouse gas emissions as sea pollution.

The challenges that the ISGH is facing are numerous. In view of the progressive environmental damage and geopolitical tensions, the role of the court is becoming increasingly important. The protection of the marine environment and the sustainable handling of maritime resources are not only legal, but above all ethical obligations for the international community.

The International Seegriche Court will continue to be a central element in the further development of sea law and peacekeeping on the world's oceans in the future and sends a sign of the importance of international law in the face of global challenges.