LLM Maritime Law or Master's in Laws in Maritime Law is a 1-2-year postgraduate degree in law, focused on equipping students with special legal knowledge related to shipping, maritime insurance, international trade and admiralty jurisdiction. The course structure usually consists of main themes, such as goods such as marine, maritime insurance law, port and terminal law, and marine mediation, which help students understand complex legal issues in the marine and shipping industries.
Basic eligibility criteria to pursue LLM Maritime Law is having an LLB. Degree (3-year or 5-year program) with at least 50% marks from a recognized university. Admission is usually through national-level entrance examinations such as CLAT-PG or university-specific entrance exams such as GMU-CET or CUEE.
Course fee for LLM Maritime Law in India is between INR 1,00,000–3,00,000, which varies with public and private universities. Some of the best institutions offering this program are Centurion University, Gujarat Maritime University, The Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, and others.
Graduates with an LLM Maritime Law degree can serve as marine lawyers, in-house legal advisors in shipping companies, compliance officers or marine insurance experts. Freshers usually earn an average salary of INR 4-6 LPA, while experienced professionals can earn a salary between INR 10-20+ LPA based on their role and expertise.
Table of Contents
- LLM Maritime Law Key Highlights
- What is a LLM Maritime Law?
- Why Study LLM Maritime Law?
- Who should study LLM Maritime Law?
- LLM Maritime Law Eligibility Criteria
- LLM Maritime Law Entrance Exams 2025
- LLM Maritime Law Colleges
- LLM Maritime Law Admission Process 2025
- LLM Maritime Law Syllabus
- LLM Maritime Law vs. LLM International Law
- LLM Maritime Law Job Opportunities in India
- LLM Maritime Law FAQs
LLM Maritime Law Key Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the LLM Maritime Law course in India:
What is a LLM Maritime Law?
LLM Maritime Law is a postgraduate program of one to two years dedicated to special studies of shipping, international trade, maritime insurance and admiralty jurisdiction. The course provides a solid basis in legal principles that control marine commerce and operation, while also discovering contemporary issues such as marine mediation, environmental regulations, and port management. Graduates are really good in detecting hard disagreements and advising on international shipping deals, making them a super assistant to global business.
The program is a combination of real-life with theoretical knowledge, so students follow the commercial side of marine laws and things, such as strategy, business and rules. This maritime law program prepares people to handle problems that shipping companies, insurance people and port managers face every day, which helps to keep international trade running without any bottlenecks.
Why Study LLM Maritime Law?
LLM Maritime Law has a legal profession, with possibilities in shipping companies, insurance companies and international agencies. Reasons for choosing LLM Maritime Law course are given below:
- Increasing requirement of marine law professionals: With an increase in global trade and shipping, there is a growing requirement of professionals experienced in marine contracts, conflict solutions and compliance, causing high career demands.
- Diversity of legal jobs: Students can become maritime lawyers, maritime insurance counselors, port legal advisors, compliance officers or intermediaries in domestic and international markets.
- International career opportunities: LLM Maritime law provides career access to firms, shipping Congress and regulatory institutions with international access, which provides opportunities for risk and expertise from across the border.
- Competitive compensation: Marine law experts are rewarded with competitive remuneration, international posting and other allowances due to the top nature of the profession.
- Policy and Advisory Prospects: The program also develops specialization for policy research, counseling and advisory roles in support of the government and private players
Who should study LLM Maritime Law?
LLM maritime law is the best special law degree for individuals in India who are interested in creating a top professional career in international shipping and the international trade industry. With the growing complications of marine rules and international trade, this program offers excellent career opportunities. The following are the most favorable candidates who should pursue LLM Maritime Law:
- Law graduates who want to serve international shipping lines, port terminals or marine insurance companies.
- Students who are interested in specializing in the carriage of goods by sea, marine environment law, and marine mediation.
- Professional lawyers who want to pursue their career in attractive special positions and the possibilities of international deployment.
- Applicants who wish to advise on the border cross-border trade, shipping agreements, and adherence to international maritime conferences.
- Potential candidates who wish to help mold marine policy, resolve complex conflicts or specialize as legal advisors in the maritime industry.
- An attorney who is attracted to the specific confluence of global trade, logistics and marine security.
LLM Maritime Law Eligibility Criteria
To pursue LLM Maritime Law in India, candidates should meet certain requirements, without which admission to this particular course is not possible. The eligibility requirements for LLM Maritime Law are listed below.:
- Completed a bachelor's degree in Law (3-year LLB or 5-year integrated LLB) from a recognized institute.
- A minimum of 50% marks in the LLB degree.
- For admissions, candidates need to qualify in national or university-level entrance exams such as CLAT-PG, GMU-CET, CUEE, or other applicable law entrance exams.
- Personal interviews or group discussions are sometimes conducted by some universities as part of the final shortlisting process.
LLM Maritime Law Entrance Exams 2025
For pursuing a LLM Maritime Law in India, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Colleges and Universities in India offer admission depending on the marks or rank obtained in these examinations. Some of the top LLM Maritime Law entrance examinations in India are given below:
LLM Maritime Law Colleges
Various institutions in India are offering LLM Maritime Law courses; each institute has got some entrance exam criteria for admitting students. Some of the top LLM Maritime Law colleges in India have been mentioned below, along with their total course fee, and entrance exams required for admission:
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LLM Maritime Law Admission Process 2025
The admission process for pursuing LLM Maritime Law at Centurion University is as follows:
Step 1: Go to Centurion University's website (www.cutm.ac.in) and fill the online application. You'll need to enter your personal information, education details, and contact information. Don't forget to upload your photo and signature. The application fee is usually around INR 600.
Step 2: Next, you'll need to take the Centurion University Entrance Exam (CUE) online. This exam checks if you've got the right legal background, logical thinking skills, and subject knowledge for postgraduate law.
Step 3: Once the results are out, check if you got in via the entrance portal or university notice.
Step 4: Shortlisted applicants will be informed of the consultation and allocation of seats. Select and confirm the LLM Maritime Law courses and your choice.
Step 5: After seat allocation, submit the provisional entry fee to secure your seat in the syllabus.
Step 6: Report to the campus (or assigned entry center) on the date given for physical verification of documents.
Step 7: To finalize the admission process, pay the remaining fee as per the fee schedule of the Centurion University. Your confirmation and nomination details will be released by the university.
Required Documents:
- LL.B. (3-year/5-year) mark sheets and degree certificate
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- Photo ID proof (Aadhaar card/PAN card, etc.)
- Transfer/migration certificate
- Character certificate from the last institution
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photographs
LLM Maritime Law Syllabus
The syllabus for LLM Maritime Law in India is more or less the same in the colleges offering the course. The syllabus may slightly differ depending on the curriculum followed by the institute. For reference, the syllabus for LLM Maritime Law at Centurion University is given below:
LLM Maritime Law vs. LLM International Law
LLM Maritime Law and LLM International Law are special postgraduate law degrees focusing on global commerce, but they differ in scope and expertise. The basic differences are given in the table below:
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LLM Maritime Law Job Opportunities in India
LLM Maritime Law graduates can have job roles in multiple fields including Maritime Lawyer (Legal Counsel), Maritime Policy Analyst, Legal Advisor,and others. Some of the common job roles for LLM Maritime Law graduates in India are given below:
LLM Maritime Law FAQs
What are the subject areas included in the LLM Maritime Law program?
The program relates to topics such as Admiralty Law, Law of the Sea, Carriage of Goods by Sea, Marine Insurance, Port and Shipping Act, and Marine Arbitration. International legal rules such as UNCLOS and IMO conferences have also been covered by it. These topics provide a detailed approach to both national and international maritime legal systems.
What kind of career opportunities are there after pursuing LLM Maritime Law?
Graduates can take a career in maritime law, shipping company legal advisors, maritime insurance analysts, port authority compliance officers, or maritime arbitrations. IMO and UNCTAD, along with the government, also have opportunities in international agencies such as private sector positions in shipping policy and regulation.
Does LLM maritime law syllabus include internships or practical training?
Yes, many universities have an internship as a part of the program. Students can do internships with shipping corporations, marine law firms, port officials or marine insurance companies. These internships provide them with real shipping contracts, regulatory structures, and dispute solutions, which increase practical legal skills.
How is LLM Maritime law different from a normal LLM or LLM in International Law?
However, General LLM includes the full range of legal subjects. LLM Maritime law is completely dedicated to legitimacy in maritime trade, shipping contracts and ocean management. Unlike international law, maritime law is special, which addresses cases such as ship registration, disposal and theft in commercial seas and public seas.
Can international exposure be achieved in the LLM Maritime Law program?
Yes, there are some institutions that offer research partnerships with exchange programs, international moot courts, and foreign schools of Maritime Law. Students can also participate in marine conferences and shipping company training sessions with international organizations, and learn about international maritime practices and standards.
What are the ideal qualifications or backgrounds to pursue LLM Maritime Law?
Candidates should have an LLB. 3 years or a 5-year degree from a reputed university. A study or interest in International Trade Law, Commercial Law, or Transport Law will be beneficial. Students with experience or an internship in the shipping or logistics industry are well-equipped to excel in this program.
