The Foundation

The International Foundation for the Law of the Sea (IFLOS) was founded on 10 December 2003 in Hamburg in order to increase public awareness of the important work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

The ITLOS came into existence following the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on 16 November 1994. It began its work in Hamburg on 1 October 1996 and the official inauguration of ITLOS was held on 18 October 1996. The official ceremony to mark the opening of the permanent headquarters of ITLOS in Hamburg was held on 3 July 2000.

As stated on its website, the ITLOS “is an independent judicial body established by [UNCLOS]. It has jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal. Disputes relating to the Convention may concern the delimitation of maritime zones, navigation, conservation and management of the living resources of the sea, protection and preservation of the marine environment and marine scientific research.” The presence of ITLOS in Hamburg has laid the foundation for an outstanding local concentration of expertise in the international law of the sea, which is of global significance. This is enhanced by Hamburg’s traditional role as Germany’s most important port city and as a renowned centre of economic, scientific and technical expertise in maritime matters.

ITLOS Photos: His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan at the official ceremony to mark the opening of the permanent headquarters of ITLOS in Hamburg, 3 July 2000

Principal Tasks of the Foundation

The IFLOS works to maximize the opportunities provided by the potential of the international law of the sea and maritime law, ensuring they are progressively developed, recognized and applied universally. This includes raising public awareness about the Tribunal’s important role and the unique competence of its Judges in interpreting and applying UNCLOS. Under its Statute, the principal tasks of the Foundation include:

• promoting research and teaching in the field of international law of the sea and maritime law;
• interpreting of UNCLOS and other relevant agreements as well as the continued scholarly development of the international law of the sea and maritime law;
• furthering the dialogue between the academic world, the judges of the ITLOS and those working in the maritime sector; 
• sharing views and information on the practical consequences of international law regulation;
• the promotion of knowledge of the international law of the sea and maritime law in developing States;
• building capacity and contributing to the development of expertise in developing States to support these States in exercising their rights and complying with their obligations under UNCLOS.

Currently, the Foundation’s most important initiative to achieve its stated objectives is its annual Summer Academy The IFLOS Summer Academy regularly receives recognition by the General Assembly of the United Nations for its “important contribution to capacity-building in the field of the law of the sea” (A/RES/79/144 – Oceans and the law of the sea, 12 December 2024, para. 29):

In addition, the Foundation intends

• to further publicise the opportunities afforded by ITLOS for the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and to facilitate access to the ITLOS for developing countries in particular;
• to provide scholarships and trainining to interns – particularly from developing countries. The provision of scholarships and support for interns is carried out in accordance with the Foundation’s own guidelines.

The Foundation is supported by representatives of maritime trade and industry, academia and public institutions (including the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the Federal Republic of Germany).

The Foundation is a non-profit institution. Its assets consist of contributions from donors and patrons. Donations may be made either exclusively and directly for the purposes for which the Foundation was set up or made as contributions for specific tasks.