The fifth session of the 12th Conference of the Advisory Board on the Law of the Sea (ABLOS) in Doha didn’t just revisit old debates—it forced a reckoning with the digital age. The session, chaired by John Ells, zeroed in on how international law can keep pace with rapid technological change, from AI to satellite surveillance. The takeaway? The maritime world is racing to integrate these tools into everything from boundary-setting to cybersecurity, but gaps remain—and not every country is keeping up.
Digital Borders: The New Frontier
James Kraska from the US Naval War College highlighted a quiet revolution in maritime boundary-setting. The Federated States of Micronesia, he explained, didn’t just update its maritime claims—they redefined them. By shifting from traditional maps to digital geographic coordinates, they embedded legal borders into e-navigation systems with pinpoint accuracy. This isn’t just about precision; it’s about future-proofing. As sea levels rise and coastlines shift, digital baselines could become the gold standard for maritime law. But Kraska’s point was clear: not every country has the tech—or the expertise—to make that leap.
Cyber Threats: The Silent Invasion
Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Hassan Al Hamadi of the Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN) painted a stark picture of modern maritime threats. Cyber-attacks, GPS spoofing, and electronic warfare aren’t just theoretical risks—they’re tools that could paralyze shipping lanes without a single shot fired. Al Hamadi warned that tampering with navigation systems or altering a ship’s electronic identity could disrupt global trade and isolate vessels from critical communications. But the threats don’t stop at cyber warfare. Climate change, rising sea levels, and nuclear risks in the Gulf add layers of complexity. For a region like the Arabian Gulf, where 99% of freshwater comes from desalination, maritime security isn’t just about military defense—it’s about safeguarding vital infrastructure.
Satellite Surveillance: The Baseline Challenge
Robert van de Poll from Fugro and the University of Wollongong underscored the role of satellite sensors in defining maritime borders. Yet, despite working with 162 countries, he admitted no nation has perfected a clear, precise baseline model. Rising sea levels and climate change are only complicating the task. The message? Even with advanced tech, maritime governance is playing catch-up.
Fisheries and Data Integrity: A Global Responsibility
Eva van Heukelom from the University of Hamburg emphasized how maritime data is revolutionizing fisheries management. By linking data to modern tech, authorities can monitor vessels in real time, enforcing regulations with unprecedented accuracy. But unauthorized fishing and overfishing beyond national borders demand international cooperation. Heukelom’s warning was blunt: enforcement is costly, and without collaboration—whether between governments or NGOs—sustainable fisheries management will remain out of reach.
UNCLOS: The Dynamic Platform?
Andrey Chernov from SUNY Maritime College proposed a bold idea: UNCLOS could become a dynamic platform for accountability in ocean sustainability, particularly for alternative marine fuels. The question is whether the convention, drafted in a pre-digital era, can adapt quickly enough to meet these challenges.
The session made one thing clear: maritime security and governance are no longer just about military power or static borders. They’re about data, digital infrastructure, and global cooperation. The tools exist—but the frameworks to wield them effectively are still taking shape. For the Arabian Gulf and beyond, the race is on to bridge that gap before the next crisis hits.