87
June
2024

One World, One Family

IOPC Funds

Providing Financial Compensation for
Oil Pollution Damage since 1978
Why are we needed?
This system of shared liability has worked well for over 45
years and, having been involved in over 150 incidents, the IOPC
Funds has paid some £766 million in compensation. Safer shipping
has meant fewer spills in recent years, but with over 2,000 million
tonnes of crude oil transported by sea each year and some 8,000
tankers operating, the risk of an incident remains. In fact, the 1992
Fund is currently dealing with 13 incidents impacting 10 of its
121 Member States. Fortunately, no incidents have yet occurred
involving the Supplementary Fund. However, 33 States have opted
to ensure they have the maximum protection by joining that Fundalso, with Mauritius joining as recently as April this year.
Current incidents
This past year we have been called into action to support those
impacted by the Princess Empress incident in the Philippines. The
ship, which sank in rough seas in February 2023 whilst carrying
800,000 litres of fuel oil as cargo, caused significant pollution
damage in Oriental Mindoro and other areas. Working in close
cooperation with the Shipowner’s P&I Club, the insurer of thevessel, and the Government, we have had to find innovative ways
to ensure claimants, who in many cases live in remote locations,
without traditional banking services, are aware of their options andable to both make a claim and receive payments of compensation.
At the April 2024 sessions of the governing bodies, I was also
authorised to pay compensation in respect of an incident which
occurred in February this year in Trinidad & Tobago. Following
the confirmation that the relevant Conventions were indeed
applicable to this incident, I personally visited the impacted areas
and met with senior officials in the State. Whilst there are some
unusual circumstances surrounding this incident that still need to
be investigated, it serves as a stark reminder that the existence ofan international body to provide compensation to those affected,
covering the cost of clean-up operations and protecting theenvironment, is still very much required.

Mr. Gaute Sivertsen
Director, IOPC Funds

Who are we?
We are two intergovernmental organisations (the 1992 Fundand the Supplementary Fund) which provide compensation for oil
pollution damage that occurs in Member States as a result of spillsof persistent oil from tankers. Established by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) and based on two international
Conventions (the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions),
the international liability and compensation regime provides a
two-tier system under which the shipowner/insurer pays the firsttier of compensation, and the oil industry, via the IOPC Funds,
pays the second tier up to a maximum of SDR 203 million (USD
249.5 million). An additional layer of compensation is available
to those Member States who have opted to also accede to the
Supplementary Fund Protocol, which provides up to SDR 750
million (USD 922 million).

About my role at the IOPC Funds
My involvement with the IOPC Funds goes back much further
than my election as Director in 2021, having represented Norway
at the Legal Committee of IMO as well as the meetings of the1

Continued on next pageNo.87

Photo credit: Getty images

Photo credit: General Marine Surveyors

The Prestige incident, 2002.

The Nakhodoka incident, 1997.

IOPC Funds’ governing bodies for 30 years, with 10 of those as
Chair of the 1992 Fund Assembly. I have always had great respect
for the work of the organisation and have valued very highly therole it plays in the international maritime community. Personally, as
a dedicated diver I’m passionate about the oceans and the marine
environment. As the Director of the IOPC Funds, I do believe I
have the opportunity to make a difference in some way, giventhat we provide funds for the clean up of oil spills, contributing
to the restoration of the marine environment in the event of such
incidents. Clean and healthy oceans are every diver’s dream andcertainly provide me with motivation to ensure the IOPC Funds
continues to deliver its mission each year. As I originally statedwhen presenting my candidacy for the role, as Director I consider
my key responsibilities to be: to serve the Member States and those
impacted by oil pollution incidents; to protect the Funds’ interests;
and to ensure that the organisation is prepared to adapt to changing
needs. I have held these underlying principles in mind throughout
my first two years in office and, together with my dedicatedcolleagues in the Secretariat, we have worked with Member State
representatives, the Audit Body and key stakeholders to find ways toprovide an efficient service to all key stakeholders, to seek solutions
to specific issues and introduce improvements wherever possible.

non-governmental organisations. We provide a variety of training
and support activities, which are organised as both in-person andonline events, and attend a number of international workshops,
conferences and exhibitions. In addition, we are always happy toshare knowledge, promote awareness of the international liability
and compensation regime and support a number of educational
institutions each year by giving lectures to university students toenhance their understanding of the relevant Conventions.
The IOPC Funds and the WMU
The IOPC Funds and the World Maritime University have along-standing relationship which we greatly value. Since 2022, I
have had the pleasure of continuing the practice of previous IOPC
Funds’ Directors to deliver an annual full-day lecture, in personat the University in Malmö. The dedication and interest of the
WMU students are always impressive and over the years it has
been a pleasure for the IOPC Funds to cross paths with a numberof WMU alumni pursuing their maritime careers at IMO andelsewhere. It was an honour to be invited to join the WMU Boardof Governors in 2023 where I hope to be able to make a meaningful
contribution to the work of the University and am confident it willfurther strengthen the cooperation between the IOPC Funds andthe WMU.

Meetings of the governing bodies
Meetings of the IOPC Funds’ governing bodies usually takeplace twice per year and are held at the headquarters of IMO in
London, which also houses the IOPC Funds’ offices. The Assemblies
of each Fund have a variety of functions, such as the appointmentof the Director, adoption of the budget, approval of the accounts,
agreement on policy issues and establishment of subsidiary bodies.
The 1992 Fund Executive Committee takes decisions and instructs
the Director on matters relating to claims for compensation. Specificareas of focus at the most recent meetings in November 2023 andApril 2024, were new and ongoing incidents; the failure of States
to comply with obligations under the Conventions in respect of
the submission of oil reports and payment of contributions; thepotential impact of international sanctions on the international
liability and compensation regime and the entry into force of the2010 HNS Convention.
What other services does the Secretariat provide?
The Secretariat of the IOPC Funds undertakes a range ofactivities aimed at, strengthening the IOPC Funds’ relationships
with Member States and other international, intergovernmental or

The Director is joined by students of the WMU following his delivery
of a guest lecture on 16 February 2024.

2

No.87

Recent Environmental Topics at the IMO
Yusuke Kawai

Junior Professional Officer
Climate Action and Clean Air Section
Marine Environment Division
IMO

Introduction

The author is behind the IMO Secretary-GeneralIn this article, I will focus on important environmental topics
discussed at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Before
delving into the main body, I would like to introduce my background.
I am currently serving as a Junior Professional Officer in the Climate
Action and Clean Air Section of the Marine Environment Division at
IMO. With over a decade of professional experience at Nippon Kaiji
Kyokai (ClassNK) and the Japan Ship Technology Research Association,
including serving as one of the coordinators of the CorrespondenceGroup on Marine Fuel Lifecycle GHG Analysis, I joined IMO last year.

or energy sources to represent at least 5%, striving for 10%, of theenergy used by international shipping by 2030; and3) to peak GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as
possible and to reach net-zero GHG emissions by or around, i.e.
close to, 2050, taking into account different national circumstances.
IMO is actively engaging in discussions on GHG reduction measures
to effectively implement the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.
- Energy efficiency of ships In 2011, IMO adopted the first global mandatory measures toimprove ship energy efficiency, namely the Energy Efficiency Design
Index (EEDI) and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).
Furthermore, as part of IMO’s commitment under the Initial IMO
Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, additional
mandatory measures were adopted in 2021 focusing on improving theenergy efficiency of existing ships. These measures, known as short-term
GHG reduction measures, include the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship
Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
MEPC is tasked with reviewing the effectiveness of theimplementation of the short-term GHG reduction measures by 1 January
2026.

Environmental topics at IMOAt IMO, the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC)
plays a pivotal role in discussing environmental issues.
While MEPC covers a wide range of issues, I will primarily focus
on discussions related to climate change, in particular concerning energy
efficiency of ships and life cycle assessment (LCA) for marine fuels in
relation to my duties at IMO. These topics have been among the hot topics
in recent sessions. Additionally, discussions at MEPC revolve around air
pollution, marine plastic litter, ballast water management, and more.
- Tackling climate change At MEPC 80 in July 2023, IMO adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on
Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (2023 IMO GHG Strategy).
The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy sets the levels of ambition, including:1) to reduce carbon intensity of international shipping (to reduce CO2
emissions per transport work), as an average across international
shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, compared to 2008;2) uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, fuels and/- Life Cycle Assessment for marine fuel In the promotion of alternative fuels, there is a recognition of theneed for comprehensive assessment, including both onboard (also known
as tank-to-wake) and onshore (also known as well-to-tank) emissions ina life cycle assessment (LCA).
In 2023, IMO adopted the Guidelines
on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels(LCA Guidelines), providing guidance on life
cycle GHG intensity assessment for marine
fuels. The illustration provides an overview of
LCA for marine fuels. However, developing
the LCA framework within IMO requires
addressing various challenges, including
methodological refinement, sustainability,and verification and certification. MEPC
continues its ongoing deliberations to addressthese challenging tasks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IMO is tackling highly
challenging issues, and its importance willcontinue to grow in the transitioning times
ahead, I am dedicated to contributing myutmost effort to drive progress forward.

3

No.87

Digitalization and Smart Port Development
in Indonesia

Nugroho Dwi Priyohadi(Indonesia, 2005)

Hello Sasakawa fellows, this short article will inform you about
the latest issues in Indonesia in the context of the development ofsmart ports including digitalization and green port development.
As it is known, Indonesia is an archipelagic country that has
3,227 ports (some of them local and non commercial ports, some ofthem commercial ports) located on islands in various corners of theregion to ensure connectivity between islands by sea. These thousandsof ports are not only for national shipping, 40 percent of them areinternational trade routes. The connectivity that occurs is useful for
improving the national economy in a sustainable manner. There aresome problems, that the logistics system in Indonesia is faced with the
problem of high logistics costs, namely 24% of GDP, with a logistic
performance index (LPI) value of 3.15 on a scale of 1-5 (2018).
Therefore, the port sector as one of the logistics nodes continues tomake improvements, one of which is by implementing digitalization.
The digitalization implementation process has begun at each port
and nationally with Inaportnet, Simlala, Simpadu and the National
Logistics Ecosystem (NLE).
Currently, the development of port connectivity and digitalizationin Indonesia is on the right track, partly due to digitalization carriedout by the government.

Green Port and Smart Port Award, 2023, Indonesia(Photo credit: New Priok Container Terminal Archive)at ports and also improving efficiency of port operation. In total
there are 112 ports under Pelindo (state owned company) and 37
under various other institutions. The Indonesian government has
committed to building not only a Green but also a Smart Port aiming
for completion soon. In 2023-2024, it is hoped that 149 ports will be
digitalized. Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, said that
according to the President’s direction, ports must be not only efficientand competitive but also consider environmental sustainability.
Sucofindo Greenport (SICS) as a government partner, has also
carried out an assessment in terms of achievements towards green andsmart ports. Green and smart port criteria for management aspects,
technical aspects (ports, occupational health and safety, environment
and energy) and digitalization aspects are assessed annually andawards are given to those selected.
It is hoped that in 2024 and beyond, the development of smart
port digitalization and green port development will be increasingly
advanced in order to achieve efficiency targets, increasingly better
logistics performance, and increasingly cheaper and competitive
logistics costs.

As a continuation, the government wants to increase efficiency bybuilding smart ports, including the digitalization process for systems
and green port development. Currently, there are 14 large ports thathave been digitally integrated, thereby minimizing corrupt practices

4

No.87

World Maritime University Arab Alumni Association(WMU-AAA)advancements in the maritime field globally, underscoring theirsignificance in fostering knowledge exchange and industry-wide
collaboration.
The main section of the event garnered significant attention,
especially with the participation of esteemed senior WMU Arabalumni from various Arabian countries. Dr. Capt. Amr Monir
Ibrahim (Egypt, 2013), a distinguished Sasakawa Fellow, led athought-provoking discussion on how WMU-AAA could leverage
its collective expertise to advance the maritime industry regionallyand internationally.
Dr. Amr lauded the commendable efforts of The Nippon
Foundation in supporting maritime education in Arab countries,
notably through funding numerous alumni at WMU. Thosealumni, many of whom are emerging leaders in the maritime field,
stand as a testament to the power of collaborative initiatives indriving positive change.
As the inaugural AGA drew to a close, it was evident that
WMU-AAA had set sail on a journey fueled by collaboration,
innovation, and shared purpose. With unwavering support fromesteemed leaders, such as Dr. Mejia and Professor Abdelghafar,
WMU-AAA is poised to make enduring contributions to themaritime industry regionally and globally.

Ahmed Mohamed Ismail
Mohamed Ismail(Egypt, 2023)

In a momentous occasion uniting maritime leaders, Professor
Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., President of the World Maritime University(WMU), embarked on his first visit to the Arab Academy for
Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Egypt.
The significance of this visit reverberated as it coincided with theinauguration of the World Maritime University - Arab Alumni
Association (WMU-AAA) and its first Annual General Assembly(AGA).
The beginning of WMU-AAA was marked in Malmo, Sweden,
where two esteemed Arab Professors, Professor Khanssa Lagdami
and Professor Aref Fakhry, sided by Arab MSc and PhD students
from Class of 2023, laid its foundation and elected Capt. Eslam
El Badri (2023) to be the first President of the association. Thishistoric occasion symbolized a collective commitment to fosteringcollaboration and excellence within the Arab maritime community.
Welcoming Dr. Mejia to AASTMT was a privilege, as I
moderated the event. In my remarks, I emphasized the profound
impact of WMU alumni collaboration and expressed gratitude
to Professor Ismail Abdelghafar, President of AASTMT, for his
generous support in hosting the Association’s inauguration and its
AGA.
Professor Abdelghafar reflected the sentiments, highlighting
the pivotal role of WMU-AAA in bolstering the maritime industry
across the Arab nations. His words underscored AASTMT’s
unwavering commitment to encouraging initiatives that drive
progress and innovation within its maritime sector.
Dr. Mejia, in his speech, expressed his delight in participatingin the inaugural AGA of the WMU-AAA. He emphasized
the indispensable role of alumni associations in propelling

Handing over the Honor Trophy of the WMU - AAA to the WMUPresident Mejia.
5

No.87

Dedication: The Legacy of Dr. Hans Ludwig BethDr. Shuo Ma

Professor of WMU(1995-2023)

Photo credit: World Maritime University

Before my retirement from WMU recently, I took a final lookat the old office files. My review pace slowed amidst the binders
marked “Visiting Professors”. These binders contain documentationfor each visiting professor I had coordinated with. One name caught
my attention: Dr Hans Ludwig Beth, a visiting professor who had
dedicated two decades to teaching at WMU. Dr Beth was from
Hamburg and had served as the director of HHM for ten years at
the Port of Hamburg where he played a pivotal role in transforming
Hamburg into a world’s leading container port and a gateway to theEuropean market. Prior to his tenure in Hamburg, Dr Beth spent
14 years as the director of the Institute for Shipping Economics
and Logistics (ISL) in Bremen. Notably, he was not only a globallyrenowned port executive but also a scholarly author with several books
on maritime economics and logistics to his name. As I revisited thecorrespondence letters, faxes and email exchanges with Dr Beth,memories came back to me.
Beyond his regular lectures every year, Dr
Beth consistently sought ways to do more for
WMU. Communication records revealed his
significant efforts and unwavering support
for WMU’s field study programmes, andparticularly the Professional Development
Courses (PDCs). In the early 2000s, WMU
embarked on expanding its PDCs to generate
much-needed revenue for the University.
Evidently, our PDCs would gain greater
appeal if high-level industry experts, like Dr Beth, could be included
for the delivery. However, I was uncertain whether he would be
willing to participate, especially under the condition that, while all
expenses would be covered, any profits would go solely to WMU. His
response was almost immediate, affirming his participation without
the slightest hesitation or stipulation. Over the subsequent years, we
jointly conducted five PDCs across various countries.
An internal memo in the file brought a smile to my face. It was
about a suggestion to improve the visiting professor’s accommodation
at WMU’s residence. The story started with an interesting conversation
involving Dr Beth, a new visiting professor and myself. The newcomer,
who came to teach at WMU for the first time, lodged, like Dr Beth, in avisiting professor’s flat at the University’s residence. One day at WMU,

we sat together at the cafeteria during the coffee break. The newvisiting professor spoke to me complaining about the room amenities
and querying, disapprovingly, why WMU did not even provide
shampoo in the rooms. Before I could reply and offer apologies, Dr
Beth interjected, suggesting that such items could be readily obtained
at nearby convenient stores. “Must I buy shampoo myself ?” the new
professor asked. “Otherwise you have soap in the room” said Dr Beth.
“But I have never used soap to wash my hair!” responded the new
professor. “You can give it a try,” Dr Beth suggested, and ended theconversation. Though an insignificant incident, I still recall it vividly
after so many years. It demonstrates Dr Beth’s deep-seated affection
for WMU and his inclination to defend the University … even in theface of its perceived “shortcomings”.
One of WMU’s most distinctive and laudable features is its
visiting faculty scheme. WMU was conceived and built based on afundamental idea of transferring maritime knowledge from advanced
shipping nations to the countries lacking such expertise, ultimately
contributing to the global objective of “Safer Ships and Cleaner
Oceans”. Such an idea has been effectively realised, thanks not only
to the endorsement of the international maritime community at large
but also to the concrete support of the shipping industry in generaland the generous contributions of the maritime professionals inestablished maritime nations in particular.
The primary assistance WMU receives from shipping
organizations comes in the form of practical training or field studies.
The most valuable input from maritime professionals to WMU isin the area of the University’s extensive visiting faculty programme
which boasts over a hundred maritime experts at any given time.
Typically, these experts provide their teaching services pro bono, while
the University offers them the most economical travel options andaccommodations at WMU’s residence facilities. The success of WMU
is, to a large extent, attributable to the generosity of these remarkable
individuals.
Dr Hans Ludwig Beth stands as an exemplary representative of
WMU visiting professors. In 2017, he was honoured as Honorary
Fellow of WMU in recognition of his twenty years of service.
Unfortunately, due to health reasons, he was unable to attend the
ceremony. Dr Beth passed away in 2019, but his legacy lives on.

6

No.87

Chairman Sasakawa’s Visit:
to Hanoi>>>

Nguyen Hai NAM(Vietnam, 2002)

Dr. Sasakawa generously made time to connect with WMU alumni
in Vietnam. This meeting was convened in the auditorium of the Hoteldu Parc Hanoi, Vietnam, on the afternoon of March 20, 2024.
At the beginning of the meeting, attendees were shown a brief video
that recounted memories of the WMU Vietnam alumni’s activities
over the past 20 years. The footage showcased a significant chapter in
WMU’s global outreach unfolded with the establishment of its presencein Vietnam. Recognizing the strategic importance of Southeast Asia’s
maritime landscape and the growth potential within the region, WMU
extended its footprint to Vietnam, laying the foundation for a dynamic
network of alumni poised to contribute to the development of the global
maritime field. As we conveyed our joy and gratitude at the opportunity tomeet Dr. Sasakawa in person, each alumnus took a moment to introduce
ourselves with our current professional pursuits. In his speech, Dr.
Sasakawa expressed the happiness with an opportunity to meet numerous
WMU Vietnam alumni, recognizing alumni’s significant contributions tothe social economic development, particularly within the maritime sector.
Furthermore, Dr. Sasakawa shared insights into the ongoing journeyof establishing and strengthening the relationship between Vietnam
and Japan, while also offering commentary on the promising future ofenhancing bilateral ties across various domains. To answer the questions
from a fellow, “why are you wearing red socks?”, Chairman Sasakawa
expressed his personal struggles with social interactions, such as feelingto Dhaka

anxious when approached by shop assistants or dining alone. As a result,
his wife has been the primary decision-maker in their household for
53 years. He believes that a harmonious household can be achievedby following one’s wife’s instructions without argument and genuinely
saying “yes” from the heart. He concluded by discussing his upcoming
participation in a ceremony with the Minister of Education and Training
to enhance education for children with disabilities and ethnic minorities,emphasizing his commitment to this cause despite the challenges of thejourney. (For his full speech, please visit the following link https://www.
wmujapan.net/events/speech/-03.html )At the meeting, a donation from WMU Vietnam was conveyed
through Dr. Sasakawa as a gesture of solidarity, aiming to share in thesorrow and losses experienced by the victims’ families affected by theJanuary 2024 earthquake in Japan.
Throughout the dinner, Mr. Kudo’s
face was adorned with a timelesssmile, reflecting his unwavering joy inmeeting the WMU Vietnam alumni.
The dinner table transformed into alively hub of storytelling, where alumni
not only cherished past experiences but
also shared our passions and current
career pursuits.

>

Mohammad Mosharraf(Bangladesh, 2012)
It was indeed an immense pleasure and a proud privilege for me tomeet with Dr. Sasakawa at Dhaka on June 6, 2024. Knowing from ourfellow Mr. Mohidul Islam (Bangladesh, 2008), Additional Secretary,
His Excellency, Dr. Yohei Sasakawa had been visiting Dhaka towitness Rohingya refugees who are sheltered at Vasahanchar by theGovernment of Bangladesh. H.E. Dr. Sasakawa serves as Japan’sSpecial Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation
in Myanmar. Despite
his very busy schedulein Dhaka, we were very
fortunate to meet withhim on April 6 for a few
hours in the evening. We
attentively listen to his
speech on his work in
Bangladesh. We are very
Dr. Sasakawa raised hopes for a new life
grateful to Dr. Sasakawa
through animal husbandry.
7

addressing the “Rohingya refugees”, which is a very critical issue forus. He praised the Bangladesh Government for providing support
to the Rohingya refugees on the island and said it’s a step toward
returning them to Myanmar. Initially, it was a tough job to organize
for the different organization worldwide.
We are also very grateful to Dr. Sasakawa for his wonderful workand dedication to eliminate leprosy in Bangladesh as he urges “TheLast Mile - on the road to eliminate leprosy”.
Presently I am working with a project “Matarbari port
development project” in Cox’s bazar district which is initiated by
Japanese Govt. and their financial assistance by JICA. We hope theproject will be completed within 2029. Also WMU Sasakawa fellow
Mr. Mahbub Morshed (2008), Mr. Ashraf Karim Chowdhury (2010)
are working in this project. Wishing Dr. Yohei Sasakawa be in good
health, devoted with human-rights work and a Goodwill Ambassador
to all of us.
No.87

Don’t Forget the Leprosy Banner Unfurled
Atop Africa’s Highest Mountain
Chairman Sasakawa, the World Health Organization
Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination climbed Mt.
Kilimanjaro in February 12, 2024 following his climb of Mt.
Fuji in August 2022 and unfurled a banner reading “Don’t
Forget Leprosy.” This act followed a joint statement issued on
January 31 by the Chairman and WHO Director-General Dr.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging an end to prejudice anddiscrimination against people affected by leprosy. Chairman
Sasakawa also offered a prayer for the victims of the January 1
earthquake in Japan’s Noto Peninsula from the summit.
Despite leprosy being curable, the COVID-19 pandemic hasdelayed drug distribution and the discovery of new cases, withmany unreported cases believed to exist in Africa. Chairman
Sasakawa’s banner on Africa’s highest mountain aimed to raiseawareness about this issue. Accompanied by two experienced
physicians, Chairman Sasakawa, aged 85 and with a pacemaker,

made the ascent in six days. He may be the first person over 80
with a disability to achieve this, potentially setting a Guinness
World Record.
Chairman Sasakawa expressed hope that his achievement
would inspire greater global involvement in eliminating leprosy.
He climbed via the challenging Marangu Route, which has a
success rate of about 50% according to local tour companies.

News from WMUIn February, WMU was pleased to welcome ....

Anete Logina(Latvia, 2009)

Madeleine Lerup

Anete Logina on 19 February as our new Manager and Legal
Officer, Office of the President.
Anete joined WMU from the Maritime Administration of
Latvia, where she has served as a lawyer since 2004. Anete has
worked extensively on developing and implementing maritime
related national law. She also has represented her country - Latvia at various committees, working groups and correspondence groupsof the International Maritime Organization and European Union
institutions. She has constantly engaged in academic endeavours(lecturing, supervising and assessing research papers etc.) at various
universities in her home country and abroad.
Anete is a graduate of the Police Academy of Latvia from
where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Law (2005) and a
Master’s degree in Law (2008). She is also a graduate of WMU
from where she holds MSc in Maritime Affairs (2009, under a
Sasakawa Fellowship) and a PhD in Maritime Affairs (2016, undera fellowship from INTERTANKO).
“I am excited to return to my alma mater once again. Although
this time I am coming back in a different role, I am doing it with thesame, always present sense of belonging and gratitude,” said Anete.

I am pleased to bring you the 87th issueof the Friends of WMU, Japan Newsletter. As
you may already know, in Japan, the calendar
includes the zodiac signs, and this year is theYear of the Dragon. The ‘Dragon’ symbolizes apowerful, ascending force, signifying growth,and development. I look forward to hearing

Madeleine Lerup on 1 February as our new Assistant
University Registrar (Student Services). Madeleine takes overafter Lyndell Lundahl, who retired after over 30 years of service
to WMU.
Madeleine was born and raised in Malmö but has spent most ofher professional life abroad. Before joining WMU, Madeleine served
as a Seconded National Expert at the European External Action
Service in Brussels, where she contributed to the European Union’s
efforts in fighting and building resilience against disinformationand information manipulation. Prior to that, she worked for the
Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Swedish embassies in
Moscow, Kyiv and Vienna. Madeleine also has previous experiencein academia; she served as a Programme Coordinator and Academic
Advisor at Lund University for three years.
“I am excited about all the possibilities of my new role, and I am
happy to bring my international experience back to my hometown,”
said Madeleine.
Both Anete and Madeleine look forward to contributing theirdiverse experiences to the University, and to making their own
contributions to WMU’s commitment to excellence.

about the achievements of members of Friendsof WMU, Japan carried by the sea and wind to
our office this fiscal year.
Wooden sake cup for the New
Year celebration.
(Yuzuruha Shrine: Kobe City,
Hyogo Prefecture)

Dr. Koji Murai
Tokyo University ofMarine Science and Technology

This newsletter is published under a grant from The Nippon Foundation

to promote communication among the Sasakawa Fellows of WMU (World Maritime University)and edited by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in cooperation with Dr. Koji Murai
Ms. Yasko Suzuki, Mr. Shun Masui, Mr. Eisuke Kudo and Ms. Sue Jackson.
Friends of WMU, Japan Secretariat, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation
The Sasakawa Peace Foudation Bldg., 1-15-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8524 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)3-5157-5210 Fax: +81-(0)3-5157-5230 URL: http://www.spf.org/en/

No.87