- Secretary-General praises lifetime commitment and integrity.
- Australia-nominated recipient honoured at London ceremony.
- Oversaw the adoption of landmark international conventions.
At the annual ceremony in London, the International Maritime Prize was awarded to the Australian-nominated recipient right after the opening day of the International Maritime Organisation Assembly, reports IMO.
Silver Dolphin Honour Celebrates Lifetime Contribution and Seafarer Bravery
Handing over the silver dolphin trophy, Arsenio Dominguez praised her outstanding career, stating: “Dr. Balkin life’s work reflects an exceptional combination of excellence, integrity, and a firm commitment to advancing the global maritime community.”
In her acceptance remarks, she said: “May I say how very proud and lucky I feel to have been given the opportunity to participate in the work of IMO and its related organisations. It is indeed a wondrous thing to be so richly rewarded for doing the work I still love to do.” The ceremony also recognised seafarers for exceptional bravery.
Academic Career and Publications
She kicked off her legal career in academia, taking on roles at universities in South Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom, including the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, and University of Cambridge. Her published works cover a range of topics in public international law and maritime law. Notably, she was the Academic Coordinator for The IMLI Treatise on Global Ocean Governance, Vol III, which was published by Oxford University Press in 2018, and she co-authored The Law of Torts. She has also served on the Board of the World Maritime University twice and currently holds the position of Ethics Officer to its President.
Leadership within IMO
She made history as the first woman to take on the role of Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Division from 1998 to 2013, and later became the first female Assistant Secretary-General from 2011 to 2013 at the International Maritime Organisation. During her time there, she oversaw several significant diplomatic conferences that led to the creation of new international conventions focused on safety, liability, wreck removal, and passenger protection. Some key instruments adopted under her leadership include:
- 2001 Bunker Oil Pollution Damage Convention
- 2002 Athens Convention (Passenger and Luggage)
- 2003 Supplementary Fund Protocol
- 2005 SUA Convention Protocols
- 2007 Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention
- 2010 HNS Convention
Since 2014, she has been serving as the Legal Adviser to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, where she guides resolutions aimed at phasing out the 1971 Fund.
Service to Australia’s Maritime Sector
She has taken on significant roles in Australia’s public service, including serving as the Primary Legal Adviser to the Commonwealth Ombudsman and as an Assistant Secretary in the Attorney-General’s Department’s Office of International Law. Notably, she led Australia’s delegation to the IMO Legal Committee and was elected Vice Chair back in 1993. From 2018 to 2021, she was a member of the Board of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. In recognition of her impactful work in maritime law and education, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018.
Advocacy for Seafarers
She is one of the founding members of the advisory group at Seafarers’ Rights International, where she champions fair treatment and legal protections for seafarers.
About the International Maritime Prize
The International Maritime Prize is presented each year by the International Maritime Organisation to individuals or organizations that have made noteworthy contributions to its mission. Recipients of this prestigious award receive a dolphin sculpture along with a financial honorarium.
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Source: IMO
