Introductory Note: The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in 2021

This introductory note examines cases before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the year 2021. Specifically, it reviews Dispute Concerning Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius/Maldives) (preliminary objections) and discontinuance of the proceedings of the M/T “San Padre Pio” (No. 2) Case (Switzerland/Nigeria). The special chamber of ITLOS dismissed all preliminary objections raised by Maldives. The chamber’s judgment contains some issues that merit discussion with regard to, inter alia, legal effects of an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly resolution. The M/T “San Padre Pio” (No. 2) provides a third case of discontinuance in the ITLOS jurisprudence. This note also refers to the amendments of the Rules of the Tribunal and the activity of the Tribunal concerning capacity-building.