New Foundation-funded maritime law students

Lloyd's Register Foundation supports postgraduate students with fully funded fellowships to pursue studies at the International Maritime Legal Institute (IMLI) in Malta. 

Since our strategic partnership started over 20 years ago, more than 50 Foundation-funded maritime law experts have successfully graduated from IMLI, including over 33 women and more than 17 from the African continent specifically.

The Foundation’s funding has helped ensure maritime professionals around the world have the skills required to prescribe IMO conventions into national law and uphold them effectively, improving safety at sea and building local legal expertise in emerging maritime economies. 

Salaseini Lesianawai (Fiji), Kefalotse Tsalaile Mmese (Botswana), Sifiso Kaula (South Africa) and Mr Adriano Tchuda (Guinea-Bissau) join IMLI this academic year. We spoke to them about their goals and aspirations ahead of a career changing opportunity to further their education in maritime law. 

I believe IMLI is an IMO institute that can help me broaden my understanding of IMO instruments and related matters. Maritime is a specialised area and requires legal officers to undertake its specialised trainings as that offered by IMLI. 

I am also inspired to join IMLI to access experts of maritime law that can equip me with skills of drafting maritime legislations and policies. One of my objectives is to ensure that IMO obligations are fulfilled in a way that is practicable to a SIDs context like where I come from, the Republic of Fiji Islands.  

In an ever-evolving industry, the legal framework must also keep up otherwise some practices may become inoperable. I work in the maritime administration with an expectation to keep maritime legislations updated and render necessary advice to all relevant agencies that hold a ratified obligation or related maritime mandate. 

I desire to continuously grow in service as a legal steward of the ocean by ensuring that safety and the protection of our marine environment remains paramount in all maritime activities. With a vast ocean space and unique circumstances as a small island developing state, I desire to ensure that the maritime laws are also practicable in its approach to both our unique culture and way of life. 

More importantly, with the ocean fundamentally linked to our livelihood, I desire to represent my nation in global decision-making forums, to exchange best practices, to contribute effectively to international maritime law and to continuously educate the future generation on emerging maritime threats and sustainable practices. 

My aspiration includes the formulation of national maritime strategies, advise on the establishment of legal and institutional frameworks that facilitate maritime trade, and advocate for the development of national maritime policy. I am confident that the knowledge and training provided by IMLI will empower me to bridge the current legal and institutional gaps, champion the interests of landlocked countries in global maritime forums, and advance inclusive maritime development across Africa. The IMLI programme presents a unique opportunity to learn from leading maritime law experts, and engage with peers from diverse jurisdictions which I trust is an environment that will shape me into a transformative legal professional in the maritime field. It is against this background that my immediate goal once I graduate is to become a Maritime Legal Advisor and Policy Specialist. 

IMLI offers a unique opportunity to combine my technical foundation with legal knowledge, equipping me to better understand and shape the frameworks that govern maritime safety, security, and seafarer welfare.

After graduation, I want to plough back into my country by helping to strengthen South Africa’s maritime policy framework. My goal is to ensure safe ships, cleaner seas, and fair working conditions for all seafarers—free from exploitation and abuse.

Thanks to the belief and support of Lloyd’s Register Foundation, I am able to take this crucial step forward. Their investment in education and capacity-building will not only benefit me personally, but also help build a safer, fairer maritime industry for future generations. 

What inspired me to apply and join IMLI for this particular programme is because, after receiving the information from the Institute, I realized that my participation in the programme will equip me with the best tools in fully understanding international instruments and effectively domesticate these instruments into our national legislation.

"I strongly believe that this fellowship programme will enhance my knowledge in maritime law. Attending the programme will expand my horizons and provide me with ample opportunities to assist my administration, and the region. My aspiration for the future is to obtain the required qualification in maritime law and become a specialist in that sector. I commit to stand against practices that do not comply with the standards of international law of the sea.”