Law of the Sea in Transition: Governance and Regulation on the High Seas

In this episode of Maritime Matters, host Dr Matthias Catón, Managing Director of the German Maritime Centre, is joined by Professor Nele Matz-Lück, co-director of the Walter Schücking Institute for International Law at Kiel University and one of Europe’s foremost experts on the international law of the sea. Their discussion explores the legal frameworks governing the world’s oceans, how these adapt (or struggle to adapt) to modern challenges, and the implications for businesses, policymakers, and society at large. Professor Matz-Lück offers insights into evolving maritime governance, covering environmental considerations, the new high seas treaty, and the complexities of human rights protection at sea. Together, they consider the realities of enforcing the law on the high seas, the critical importance of legal order, and the outlook for future sustainability and cooperation.