Erasmus School of Law - Erasmus University Rotterdam

LLM Maritime and Transport Law

This LL.M. program provides you with thorough, in-depth knowledge of the dynamic world of maritime and transport law.

Students acquire the research, writing and presentation skills essential to a successful career as a legal practitioner or an in-house counsel in the maritime- or transport-related business world. By focussing on current developments and practical problems from a comparative law perspective, students develop an international outlook on the many legal aspects of shipping and the transportation of goods.

Based in the port of Rotterdam, this programme educates legal professionals that are well prepared to meet the many challenges that arise from this field.

Does the programme have a particular focus?

Throughout the master programme, aspects of maritime and transport law are considered from a comparative law perspective. Particular attention is paid to differences in approach and outcome between civil law jurisdictions and common law jurisdictions and by reference to the relevant standards in the international maritime and transport industry.

Depending on the subject-matter, such international standards may be found in uniform private law instruments such as the Hague-Visby Rules and the York-Antwerp Rules, or in widely used standard contract forms, such as the various BIMCO standard agreements for charter parties and bills of lading.

As a student of this masterprogramme you will learn to adopt the transnational perspective of a legal practitioner who in his daily work is often confronted with legal problems or disputes not necessarily governed by his own national laws. As a professional in this field, you will need to co-operate and communicate with lawyers in other countries in tackling these problems.

Which courses do I get?

Block 1

• Research and Writing Skills (Maritime and Transport Law)

Block 2

• Law of the Sea
• Transport Law

Block 3

• Maritime Casualties

Block 4

• Charter Parties & Bills of Lading

Block 5

• Marine Insurance
• Extra elective: Capita Selecta Trademark Law
• Master Thesis

As a graduate of the LL.M. program Maritime and Transport Law, you can pursue career opportunities in the legal profession as an attorney active in litigation, arbitration, and contract drafting, as an in-house counsel in the legal department of banks and businesses in the maritime and transport industry, as a claims handler, broker or underwriter in the insurance industry, in advisory positions to government agencies and port authorities and in academia.

Positions of our graduates:

• Business lawyer at world-leading organisations;
• Lawyer or attorney in the legal practice;
• Academic teacher and researcher.