As a result of the very fruitful collaboration between The Nippon Foundation and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, a joint Project was launched in 2003 under the Human Resources Development Project for Advancement of a More Effective Global Legal Order for the Oceans.

The Project offers post-graduate study and research opportunities in international maritime law for deserving candidates. For this purpose, the Institute provides its academic and technical expertise and The Nippon Foundation is generously providing financial contribution enabling deserving candidates to pursue their studies in international maritime law at the Institute.

In total so far one hundred and eighty-three (183) maritime professionals from seventy-four (74) States have benefited from the funds made available under the Project. Nine of these professionals completed studies in May 2004, eight completed studies in May 2005, eight completed studies in May 2006, eleven completed studies in May 2007, ten completed studies in May 2008, ten completed in May 2009, ten completed in May 2010, ten completed their studies in May 2011, ten completed their studies in May 2012, ten completed their studies in April 2013, ten completed their studies in June 2014, nine completed their studies in May 2015, ten completed their studies in May 2016, eleven completed their studies in May 2017, fifteen completed their studies in June 2018, fifteen completed their studies in June 2019, and a further 15 completed their studies in September 2020. These maritime experts have now returned to their respective countries where they are involved in the development of the maritime sectors in those countries.

The Nippon Foundation and the Institute share a common philosophy which makes the education of promising professionals the focus and foundation for a successful and beneficial investment in a future and ‘more effective global legal order for the oceans.’

In return, the IMLI-NF Alumni contribute to the progressive development and codification of international maritime law. Over the years, maritime experts from all over the world have graduated at the Institute. In the major ports of the developing world, the international community is able to find lawyers and maritime professionals trained at the Institute who speak the same language of international maritime law. Many Alumni are now involved in the drafting and implementation of international maritime instruments. Often, they lead their national delegations to IMO meetings and diplomatic conferences. Frequently, they advise governments on the incorporation of international maritime standards, into their national legislation.

IMLI notes with pride that the training at the Institute has achieved the desired objectives of the Project as envisaged by both IMLI and The Nippon Foundation.

IMLI and The Nippon prepared a Report on Global Ocean Governance which led to the publication by Oxford University Press in 2018 of the three-volume “The IMLI Treatise on Global Ocean Governance”. In its three volumes, the Treatise deals with “The United Nations (UN) and Global Ocean Governance”, “The UN Specialized Agencies and Global Ocean Governance”, and “IMO and Global Ocean Governance”, respectively. The publication contains studies by 58 leading experts on crucial areas of ocean governance.