Editor's Column - I am opening this column with the words ‘Happy New Year’

IT seems incredible that once again I am opening this column with the words ‘Happy New Year’. As I’m sure many of you will agree, it feels like only yesterday that we were celebrating the dawn of a new millennium and here we are welcoming in 2004.

New Year is traditionally a time of looking back and looking forward. 2003 was another busy year for the Maritime Advocate with the online newsletter continuing to go from strength to strength. We also welcomed a new deputy editor to the team, Lucy Budd, who some of you will have met already. 2004 will no doubt be equally eventful.

Talking of events, 2003 saw the first Seatrade London Convention officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal. Meanwhile, the US branch of the Maritime Law Association held its fall meeting in Florida after some impressive last-minute rearranging, no thanks to Hurricane Fabian. This year also witnesses the fifteenth International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA), being held in London in April. It is also Posidonia’s turn again, so don’t forget to set aside the first few weeks of June for souvlaki and bazouki – all in the name of business of course. And if you are on your travels, don’t forget to check out our events calendar in Delegates Diary.

Also in this issue we look at ship registration in Ghana, maritime labour law in India, the ‘pay first’ rule under Spanish law, and marine insurance law in Croatia. Joanne Steele, meanwhile, asks, ‘Who is the principal?’ and Lucy Budd finds time to catch up with barrister Nevil Phillips and Patrice Rembuaville-Nicolle of Paris-based Rembauville-Nicolle & Bureau.

Happy New Year and enjoy!