We can guide your research towards practical use in the emerging seasteading sector.
The Big Questions
The mission of seasteading entails a different set of challenges than temporary ocean dwelling for the purpose of drilling, mining, transportation, etc., and accordingly, it requires a novel set of solutions. Not all of the obstacles fit into neat boxes, but we’ve identified three main categories for research: engineering, business, and law & policy.
We are particularly interested in advancing bold visions outside of traditional offshore activities. There are many sub-topics within each of these categories, and suggested areas for future research can be found within the main pages. Our previous research is the best source for inspiration and potential new directions, but we are open to outside-the-box proposals, as long as they are pragmatic. Special consideration is given to projects that show a clear, incremental path to a grander vision.
- How do we engineer seasteads to meet the unique needs of permanent inhabitants?
- What legal or geographical considerations give rise to unique business opportunities?
- What are potential barriers to entry for new countries on the ocean?
Key Research
Convert Cruise Ships Into Sustainable Seasteads
Rüdiger Koch
The cruise ship industry has successfully painted itself green by first using scrubbers and then moving from heavy diesel fuel to Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). In this paper we will show that these measures not only did not change the immense carbon footprint of the industry, it even exacerbated this real issue and other problems.
Radical rethinking of the entire concept of the cruise ship industry is required to bring emissions to a sustainable level. Even the latest, most modern ships easily emit 2-3 times as much greenhouse gas per passenger as a typical western resident, even while at port or on anchor and fully booked. Propulsion accounts for about 40% to 70% of energy consumption and thus CO2 emissions when cruising. When cruising, CO2 emissions of an average European cruise ship passenger emissions per capita are about six times higher than at home for ship operation alone, not counting consumption and transportation to the vessel, e.g. by flying.
The paper was published on our blog in December of 2020: https://www.seasteading.
The cruise ship industry has successfully painted itself green by first using scrubbers and then moving from heavy diesel fuel to Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). In this paper we will show that these measures not only did not change the immense carbon footprint of the industry, it even exacerbated this real issue and other problems.
Radical rethinking of the entire concept of the cruise ship industry is required to bring emissions to a sustainable level. Even the latest, most modern ships easily emit 2-3 times as much greenhouse gas per passenger as a typical western resident, even while at port or on anchor and fully booked. Propulsion accounts for about 40% to 70% of energy consumption and thus CO2 emissions when cruising. When cruising, CO2 emissions of an average European cruise ship passenger emissions per capita are about six times higher than at home for ship operation alone, not counting consumption and transportation to the vessel, e.g. by flying.
The paper was published on our blog in December of 2020: https://www.seasteading.
The True Obstacle to the Autonomy of Seasteads: American Law Enforcement Jurisdiction over Homesteads on the High Seas
O. Shane Balloun
Revised for publication in the University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, this article adds to an older version (see below), which lay the foundation for the Institute’s subsequent legal research. The history of micronations and seastead-like entities is filled with dramatic events, from which we can learn how the next wave of seasteaders should confront the obstacles to political and social freedom. Both US admiralty and international maritime law inform Balloun’s analysis, and provide practical guidance for how seasteads can balance autonomy with respect for existing legal norms and conventions.
Citation: 24 U.S.F. Mar. L. J. 409 (2012)
Revised for publication in the University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, this article adds to an older version (see below), which lay the foundation for the Institute’s subsequent legal research. The history of micronations and seastead-like entities is filled with dramatic events, from which we can learn how the next wave of seasteaders should confront the obstacles to political and social freedom. Both US admiralty and international maritime law inform Balloun’s analysis, and provide practical guidance for how seasteads can balance autonomy with respect for existing legal norms and conventions.
Citation: 24 U.S.F. Mar. L. J. 409 (2012)
Seasteads Compliant with International Maritime Conventions
Tom W. Bell
International maritime conventions regulate the conditions under which sovereigns issue flags to maritime vessels. This document analyzes whether and to what degree the six most widely adopted such conventions apply to seasteads. It finds that seasteads can remain outside the scope of most international maritime conventions if they stay fixed in place, remain below 24 meters long at the waterline, and do not enter foreign ports. Seasteads win further exemptions if they stay in or close to sheltered waters and remain smaller than 12 meters long, 400 gross tonnage, and 15-person capacity. Though voyaging or larger seasteads fall within the scope of additional conventions, they might qualify for exemptions from many of their requirements.
International maritime conventions regulate the conditions under which sovereigns issue flags to maritime vessels. This document analyzes whether and to what degree the six most widely adopted such conventions apply to seasteads. It finds that seasteads can remain outside the scope of most international maritime conventions if they stay fixed in place, remain below 24 meters long at the waterline, and do not enter foreign ports. Seasteads win further exemptions if they stay in or close to sheltered waters and remain smaller than 12 meters long, 400 gross tonnage, and 15-person capacity. Though voyaging or larger seasteads fall within the scope of additional conventions, they might qualify for exemptions from many of their requirements.
