CIL Ocean Law and Policy Co-Heads Dr Tara Davenport and Prof Robert Beckman were invited to teach a one-day training course on UNCLOS and Subsea Power Cables at the Energy Market Authority (EMA) Singapore on 5 September 2025. The course provided professionals from EMA and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) Singapore an overview of the international legal framework governing the laying of submarine power cables, in the context of ASEAN’s efforts to develop the ASEAN Power Grid. CIL Research Assistant Amanda Wee also attended. 

The course first provided participants with a brief overview of the regime under UNCLOS, followed by a session on the provisions relevant to submarine cables and pipelines that govern the rights and obligations of States. In the third and fourth sessions, Prof Beckman and Dr Davenport respectively addressed the contentious maritime zones in the region and provided various examples of regional and national legislation or guidelines governing submarine cables and pipelines. The sessions reflect the growing need for regional cooperation with respect to submarine power cables.