Martin Davies, an Australian maritime law expert who currently works at Tulane University Law School, has been involved in the global promotion program of China’s maritime cases for the past eight years. He has collaborated with young translators from the Shanghai Maritime Court, engaging in discussions on key maritime legal issues and case translations.

Through these exchanges, Davies has been impressed by the rigor and pragmatism of young Chinese legal professionals. He also acknowledges Shanghai’s commitment to cultivating a law-based business environment and its dedication to cultivating talent in foreign-related rule of law.

Davies views the Shanghai Maritime Court as a crucial gateway to understanding China’s maritime judiciary. His visits to the court have allowed him to witness the continuous evolution of China’s maritime law over the past four decades. 

The court has applied foreign laws, such as those from Singapore and the UK , as well as international conventions like the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, in handling numerous foreign-related maritime cases. Many of these cases are showcased on the China Maritime Cases website, which was jointly established by Tulane University and Shanghai Maritime University.

One particular case that impressed Davies involved a shipbuilding commission contract dispute, which was eventually resolved by applying English law. The judgment effectively summarized the applicable principles of English law and accurately aligned with the parties' expectations regarding legal application and dispute resolution.

As the Convention on the International Maritime Organization has come into effect for more than 60 years , maritime judiciary has become a key pillar in Shanghai’s endeavor to build itself into an international shipping center. Davies believes that the Shanghai Maritime Court will continue to drive progress with high-level judicial expertise, offering the world more “Chinese wisdom” and “Shanghai experience” in maritime law.