We strengthen the knowledge of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law internationally.

Knowledge Hub for Maritime Legal Affairs

IFLOS brings together experts, judges and practitioners in the law of the sea and maritime law.

Interface between Judiciary, Academia and Maritime Practice

The Foundation acts as an interface between the legal community and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg.

Building Capacity in the Law of the Sea

Through its annual Summer Academy, the Foundation provides professionals and academics with the capacity to address pressing challenges in ocean governance.

The Summer Academy

The 2025 Session

13th July – 8th August 2025

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Information on the 2025 session will be available soon. The application process will start 1st February 2025.

Please check our FAQs for more information about the application process and requirements. For questions beyond that, please do not hesitate to contact us via summeracademy@iflos.org.

The Summer Academy

139
Nations
566
Young academics from all over the World
16
Summer Academies since 2007

Since its founding in 2007 the "IFLOS Summer Academy" at the seat of ITLOS in Hamburg has become a center of excellence for students and junior staff in the field of international law of the sea and maritime law. The schedule also includes maritime-related subjects from economics and natural sciences. Judges from the Tribunal and renowned representatives from academia and maritime commerce serve as lecturers to a carefully selected group of highly motivated participants from around the globe.

Learn more about the Summer Academy

In Memoriam: Professor Dr. Rainer Lagoni, 1941-2024

It is with deep sadness that the IFLOS Board of Directors has to announce the death of Professor Rainer Lagoni  on 18 December 2024. Rainer Lagoni played a key role in the founding of the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea and has been associated with it ever since as a member of the Board of Trustees. With his passing, the national and international community of the law of the sea has lost one of its most esteemed representatives.

Read more…

The Foundation

The International Foundation for the Law of the Sea (IFLOS) was founded in Hamburg in order to increase public awareness of the important work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). One of the main tasks of IFLOS is to strengthen the knowledge of Law of the Sea and Maritime Law internationally, in particular in less developed countries. We intend to foster the dialogue between the academic world, the Judges of the Tribunal and those working in the field of maritime commerce.

Find out more about IFLOS

The International Foundation for the Law of the Sea (IFLOS) was founded in Hamburg in order to increase public awareness of the important work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). One of the main tasks of IFLOS is to strengthen the knowledge of Law of the Sea and Maritime Law internationally, in particular in less developed countries. We intend to foster the dialogue between the academic world, the Judges of the Tribunal and those working in the field of maritime commerce.