Introduction to Technical Aspects of Maritime Boundary Delimitation: Professional Training Workshop 11-13 September 2023

Workshop Details

Maritime boundary delimitation may be primarily a political and legal process, but almost every stage of the process requires decisions about geographical and technical issues. Most governments employ technical experts to assist with the definition of the boundary, but that does not mean that diplomats and lawyers can ignore technical issues. Just as it is important for technical experts to be familiar with the legal principles of maritime boundary delimitation, negotiators will be much more likely to achieve a successful outcome if they understand how boundaries are constructed and how they are defined from a technical perspective.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide non-technicians with a hands-on introduction to the concepts and tools involved in defining a maritime boundary with geographical precision. Combining lectures and practical exercises, the workshop will enhance your analytical skills and help you to avoid creating a technically deficient boundary. No prior technical knowledge is required and scientific jargon will be kept to a minimum.

Workshop Tutors

Dr Robin Cleverly, Director, Marbdy Consulting

Dr Coalter Lathrop, President, Sovereign Geographic

Professor Martin Pratt, Director, Bordermap Consulting

Professor Clive Schofield. Head of Research, WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, World Maritime University

Workshop Tutors

Workshop Flyer

IBRU Workshop Flyer Technical Maritime(web)

Workshop Programme

Monday 11 September

Introduction      

• A quick review of the law of maritime delimitation
• Maritime jurisdiction and boundary: the global state of play

Do you know where you are? A beginner’s guide to geodesy and coordinate systems                                                                  

• Modelling the earth
• Coordinates and datums
• Map projections

Baselines

• The normal baseline
• Vertical datums and charts as a source of baseline data
• Straight baselines and closing lines
• Baselines and sea-level change

Practical exercise: Charts and baselines

Alternative sources of baseline data: remotely-sensed imagery and field surveys

• Benefits and drawbacks of imagery as a source of baseline data
• Sources and cost of imagery
• Field surveys

Tuesday 12 September

Generating maritime limits                           

• Maritime limits from normal and straight baselines
• Basepoints for different maritime zones
• Practical exercise

Equidistance lines                          

• Conceptualizing equidistance
• Graphical construction of an equidistance line: value and limitations
• Software tools for constructing an equidistance line
• Connecting turning points: geodesics, loxodromes and other ‘straight’ lines
• Comparing equidistance between normal and straight baselines

Practical exercise: Constructing an equidistance line

Modifying equidistance

• ‘Classical’ reduced effect
• Weighted equidistance
• Simplifying an equidistance line
• Practical exercise

Relevant coasts, relevant areas and coastline length

• Identifying relevant coasts and relevant areas
• The challenge of measuring coastline length

Wednesday 13 September

Technical support in boundary negotiations and third-party settle

• The role of the technical expert in a team
• Presenting technical information
• Technical requirements in boundary agreements

Technical aspects of delimitation beyond 200M                            

• Identifying the outer limit of the continental shelf
• Do/should geology and geomorphology play a role in delimitation 

Group discussion / round-table                                                          
Possible topics:

• Technical perspectives on the three-stage approach to delimitation
• The value of technical transparency and cooperation
• Datasets and other technical resources for maritime delimitation

What is included in the workshop cost

In addition to tuition and all course materials, the fee covers the following: 

• Lunch and refreshment breaks on 10-13 September
• Evening dinner on Tuesday 12 September
• Durham Cathedral Tour on Wednesday 13 September

Accommodation 

Please note, your accommodation is included in the workshop fee.

Included in the fee are 3 nights of bed and breakfast accommodation at the Durham Marriott Hotel.

Travel 

You are expected to organise your own travel arrangements to Durham. Please be aware that if you require a visa to visit the United Kingdom you will be required to apply for your own visa for entry in to the country. Please allow enough time for your visa to be processed before the start of the workshop. A letter on invitation can be provided to support your visa application. 

Language 

Teaching and workshop materials will be in English. 

Cancellation 

Cancellations must be received in writing not later than the 1 September 2023 and will be subject to a £250 cancellation fee, unless a substitute participant is offered. After this date the full registration fee will be charged for all cancellations. 

Programme changes 

IBRU reserves the right to modify the programme as necessary, without notice to participants.