Shipowner’s Liability for Oil Pollution Damage under Maritime Law

2026 Projects

Shipowner’s Liability for Oil Pollution Damage under Maritime Law

Format: On Campus (In Person)
Number of Students: 5–10
Duration of Project: July 13–17, 2026

Application Deadline: June 5, 2026

Project Supervisor: Gülfer Meriç
Research Areas: Maritime Law, Insurance Law, International Carriage Law
Daily Supervisor: Murat Yenigün

Project Description

This summer school project aims to introduce high school students, at a fundamental level, to the legal liability of shipowners arising from oil pollution incidents caused by the operation of ships at sea, within the framework of Turkish law and international conventions, together with the basic concepts of maritime trade law.

Students will examine the legal consequences of environmental disasters through real-life case examples and learn how international legal rules protect the marine environment. The program will include theoretical lectures, case analyses, and group work.

About the Project

Maritime transportation carries approximately 80% of global trade. Oil tankers are critically important for the world economy; however, accidents may result in severe environmental damage. For example, oil tanker accidents such as the Torrey Canyon (1967), Amoco Cadiz (1978), and Erika (1999) created the need to regulate shipowners’ liability at the international level within maritime law.

In this context, important conventions such as the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage were adopted under the leadership of Comité Maritime International (CMI) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

These conventions, to which a large majority of the world’s tonnage is subject, have also been ratified by Turkey and constitute a fundamental source of Turkish maritime trade law. This project will enable students to understand the legal mechanisms underlying oil pollution caused by ships.

Project Objectives

To teach students the fundamental concepts of maritime trade law.
To explain the principles under which the shipowner and the flag state are held liable for oil pollution caused by ships.
To describe how international conventions are applied within Turkish law.
To demonstrate the solution mechanisms provided by international conventions.
To develop students’ analytical thinking and discussion skills.
To examine the impact of maritime trade law on daily life.

Project Tasks

Maritime Trade Law 101: Introduction and Fundamental Concepts (Theoretical Lecture)
Research Methods
Shipowner’s Liability for Oil Pollution (Theoretical Lecture)
Case Study

Deliverables

Final evaluation poster

Benefits for the Student

Basic Maritime Law Literacy: Opportunity to learn the fundamental concepts of maritime trade law (shipowner, flag state, liability, compensation fund, etc.) at an early stage.
Awareness of International Law: Understanding the impact of international conventions to which Turkey is a party within domestic law and how the global legal system operates.
Understanding the Link Between Environment and Law: Ability to analyze that environmental disasters have not only ecological but also legal and economic consequences.
Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills: Evaluating who bears responsibility and on what legal grounds through real case analyses.
Academic and Presentation Skills: Strengthening research, argument development, and presentation skills through group work and case discussions.
Career Awareness: Opportunity to explore potential academic and professional career paths in maritime law, environmental law, and international law.
Interdisciplinary Perspective: Gaining the ability to evaluate the interaction between law, environmental sciences, and international trade from a holistic perspective.

Requirements

Being a high school student
Basic English reading skills (not mandatory but preferred)
Interest in Maritime Law, International Law, and the maritime sector
Ability to work collaboratively in a group setting

2026 Projects

Shipowner’s Liability for Oil Pollution Damage under Maritime Law

Projects for 2026

Applications Have Started!

İletişim Bilgileri

Hızlı Bağlantılar

Takip Et