Unit for Maritime Studies
Presentation prepared for the DHET/SAMSA Workshop
PRETORIA
18 April 2012
Mr. Vishal Surbun
LECTURER, School of Law

 Overlooking the Bay of Natal in Durban, which houses
Africa’s largest and busiest port, the University of
KwaZulu-Natal is one of the few institutions in Africa accredited to offer internationally recognized postgraduate programs and research facilities in
Maritime studies
 Maritime and related studies have been identified by the University as a “signature area of focus.”
 The Unit for Maritime Studies forms part of the
College of Law and Management Studies.

 Master of Commerce in Maritime Studies (MCom)
 Master of Laws in Maritime Law (LL.M)
(only university on the eastern seaboard of Africa to offer this specialized qualification)
 Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies
 Master of Commerce in Customs and Excise
(approved by the University, awaiting approval from SAQA/HEQC, forthcoming in 2013)

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 CORE MODULES:
Analysis of Sea Freight markets
International business transactions in shipping
20 000 word research dissertation in maritime studies
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 ELECTIVE MODULES
Port economics
Carriage of goods by sea
Carriage of goods by air
Customs and excise
Incidents of navigation
International trade economics
Applied maritime transport economics and policy
Applied port economics and ports policy
Anti-dumping

 Carriage of Goods by Sea
 Marine Insurance
 Admiralty Law and Jurisdiction
 The Incidents of Navigation

ADMIRALTY LAW AND JURISDICTION
 Maritime claims
 Security arrests of ships and associated ships
 Sale and mortgage of ships
 Law to be applied in maritime disputes
 Admiralty Jurisdiction Regulation Act

CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY SEA
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Bills of Lading, obligations of the carrier, common clauses in bills of lading, the Hague and the Hague Visby rules, defenses to maritime claims , package limitation, tonnage limitation, INCOTERMS.
CHARTERPARTIES: time charters, voyage charters, bareboat of demise charters, obligations of the owner, obligations of the charterer, common issues arising out of charterparties, law to be applied to charterparty dispute s

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MARINE INSURANCE
Obligations of the insured, actual and constructive losses, principles and types of policies, institute clauses, P&I insurance, South African legislation
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INCIDENTS OF NAVIGATION
Tug and Tow, law of the sea, ship registration, wreck and salvage, pollution claims, maritime safety and security, piracy, terrorism and armed violence at sea, collisions, pilotage.

 Developed Unit for maritime studies as a focal point for multi-disciplinary research, teaching programmes and community outreach.
 Well equipped centre at Howard College with an extensive dedicated and specialized library and online resource centre.
 Links with international organisations and
Universities as well as with national bodies.

 Offering a series of seminars offered by industry role players such as economists, lawyers, port authorities and master mariners.
 Seminars cover topics such as:
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The economic importance of the sea transport industry
The background of maritime law and its international character;
A harbour tour guided by representatives of the port to highlight layout, infrastructure and operations of a modern multi-purpose seaport such as
Durban, and ship simulation exercises.

surbun@ukzn.ac.za
Tel: (031) 260 3599