Aishwarye Dubey
Maritime Law Assistant
From peer-reviewed research on international maritime law to industry commentary in India’s leading maritime publications — Aishwarye contributes to the legal and policy discourse shaping the future of global shipping.
Aishwarye Dubey believes that the best legal practitioners are also engaged scholars — those who not only apply the law but help shape its development through rigorous research, thoughtful commentary, and active participation in policy discourse.
His published work spans academic legal research, policy reports for government ministries and the Indian Navy, industry commentary for maritime professionals, and contributions to India’s most widely read maritime publication. He writes at the intersection of law, commerce, and policy — always with an eye on the practical implications for the shipping industry.
Aishwarye is a regular Guest Author for Marex Magazine — India’s most widely circulated maritime publication, owned by Marex Media Private Limited, Mumbai. His contributions cover contemporary maritime legal issues, emerging trends in shipping law, and commentary on developments that matter to India’s maritime professionals.
An examination of the emerging legal challenges posed by electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery cargo fires onboard container vessels — covering liability frameworks, P&I implications, cargo interest rights, and the evolving international regulatory response.
A critical analysis of India’s implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, examining gaps in domestic legislation, enforcement challenges, and the practical consequences for Indian seafarers working on international vessels.
A practitioner’s perspective on the continued relevance of the York-Antwerp Rules in an era of mega-vessels, complex cargo interests, and new classes of maritime peril — with proposals for reform.
Practical commentary on the key legal battlegrounds in demurrage and detention disputes as they arise in the Indian shipping market — covering time bars, laytime calculations, and the most common points of contention between ship owners and charterers.
An assessment of the legal and regulatory reforms required to realise the objectives of Maritime India Vision 2030 — covering port legislation, ship registration, coastal shipping, and the modernisation of the Merchant Shipping Act.
A practical guide to the legal framework governing ship collision liability — from the Collision Regulations (COLREGs) and apportionment of fault, through flag state investigations, to P&I Club engagement and the litigation pathway in Indian courts.
“The law does not exist in a vacuum. Good legal writing must meet the practitioner in the real world — grounded in the commercial realities of the shipping industry, not merely in abstract doctrine.”— Aishwarye Dubey
During his tenure at the National Maritime Foundation — India’s premier maritime think-tank — Aishwarye produced policy research and legal analysis at the highest levels of government engagement. His outputs fed directly into deliberations at NITI Aayog, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the Indian Navy.
Authored research reports on international maritime law issues directly for the Indian Navy, covering topics including freedom of navigation, UNCLOS interpretation, and the legal dimensions of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
Prepared a comprehensive review and deliberation report on the draft Indian Ports Bill 2020 — analysing its implications for port governance, foreign investment, and the regulatory framework for major and minor ports in India.
Reviewed and analysed the draft Merchant Shipping Act 2020, providing commentary on its modernisation of India’s shipping legislation, safety regime, and alignment with international conventions.
Contributed to deliberations and review of the Maritime India Vision 2030 policy framework — assessing its targets for port infrastructure, shipbuilding, coastal shipping, and the development of India as a global maritime hub.
Co-organised the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2021 — the apex strategic dialogue platform of the Indian Navy — which brought together naval chiefs, policy makers, and maritime security experts from across the Indo-Pacific region.
Participated as Resource Person in Track 1.5 diplomatic ventures with government officials of ASEAN and West Asian countries — contributing legal and policy expertise to India’s engagement on regional maritime security.
Aishwarye’s academic research, produced during his legal education at NLU Odisha and his LL.M at Gujarat Maritime University, explores foundational and emerging questions in maritime and international trade law.
An examination of the legal framework for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) under SOLAS, COLREGS, and UNCLOS — addressing gaps in the current liability regime and proposals for regulatory reform to accommodate autonomous shipping technology.
A comparative analysis of wage protection mechanisms for seafarers under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and the Indian Merchant Shipping Act — identifying gaps in domestic implementation and recommending legislative reforms to strengthen seafarer protection in India.
An analysis of freedom of navigation rights under UNCLOS Part VII in the context of competing territorial claims in the South China Sea — examining the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award, subsequent state practice, and the implications for global shipping routes.
Beyond traditional publication, Aishwarye contributes to the maritime legal knowledge base through the development of course materials, lecture notes, and training content used by law students, legal professionals, and maritime industry practitioners.
Interested in collaborating on maritime legal research, contributing to a publication, or inviting Aishwarye to write for your journal or platform? Get in touch.