The Centre for Ocean Law and Policy (OLAP) aspires to be Malaysia's national centre of excellence for research in ocean law and policy issues. OLAP aims to provide timely and relevant advice and policy options as well as to identify key areas of interest for Malaysia's multi-disciplinary realm of Ocean and maritime law that encompass the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) and other related international law, as well as maritime and admiralty law.
OLAP reinforces close working relationships with Ministries and Goverment agencies, as well as fostering links with other local and regional think tanks, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and maritime industry.
OLAP undertakes the role of promoting awareness in ocean law and maritime legal aspects to appropriate stakeholders and the public, by conducting seminars, training workshops and conferences.
OLAP's Key Research Areas cover various issues of national importance such as, but not limited to:
- Ocean Governance
- Marine Environmental Protection
- Maritime Dispute Resolution
- Feasibility studies on conventions
- Carriage by Sea
- Liability and compensation regimes
- Other contemporary ocean law issues
Additionally, OLAP's continuous dissemination of maritime legal knowledge through seminars, workshops and conferences has triggered considerable interest amongst stakeholders in the country and its researchers are regularly invited to deliver lectures to their staff.