Doha: The fifth session of the 12th Conference of the Advisory Board on the Law of the Sea (ABLOS), of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), was held on Wednesday under the title “Modern Technologies and Maritime Security”, within the discourse of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ability to keep pace with modern challenges.
According to Qatar News Agency, the session was chaired by John Ells and featured discussions on the integration of technological developments with international law to safeguard sea resources. Innovations in artificial intelligence and satellite observations were highlighted.
James Kraska from the US Naval War College noted the role of digital data in delineating sea borders, citing the Federated States of Micronesia’s extensive work involving geographical data and coordinate points. Kraska emphasized the shift from traditional maps to digital geographic coordinates in Pacific Island countries.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Hassan Al Hamadi of the Qatari Emiri Navy addressed threats to the Arabian Gulf, such as maritime cyber-attacks and jamming of ship systems, which could impact global trade and navigation without military confrontation. He mentioned additional challenges like climate change and rising sea levels affecting international sea borders.
Al Hamadi also stressed the importance of regional cooperation to combat unauthorized fishing and described the necessity of technical development and specialized training in maintaining maritime security. He advocated for investments in smart observation systems and continuous training.
Robert van de Poll from Fugro and the University of Wollongong discussed the use of satellite sensors in defining maritime borders and the need for precise baseline models due to climate change.
Eva van Heukelom from the University of Hamburg highlighted the role of maritime data in fisheries management, advocating for international cooperation to address unauthorized fishing and suggesting collaboration with NGOs to implement costly fisheries laws.
The session concluded with Andrey Chernov from SUNY Maritime College presenting a study on data responsibility for alternative marine fuels, proposing that UNCLOS could serve as a platform for ocean sustainability accountability.
The session, part of the ABLOS conference in Doha, gathered international experts to discuss UNCLOS advancements and maritime governance in an era of advanced technology.