Book excerpt: This book identifies and examines the legal challenges facing the shipping industry and ship management today. It first addresses flag state rules and private international law as organisational tools of the shipowner for establishing the applicable legal framework in an age of increasing regulatory activity and extraterritorial effect of legislation. It then focuses on sustainability requirements and the liability of shipping companies managing supply chains and ships as waste. The third section considers challenges stemming from times of financial crisis and deals with the cross-border impact of shipping insolvencies, the UNCITRAL Model Law, and the approaches of different jurisdictions. Finally, the fourth section concerns digitalisation and automation, including delivery on the basis of digital release codes, bills of lading based on blockchain technology, the use of web portals and data sharing, and particular aspects of the law relating to autonomous ships, notably in marine insurance and carriage of goods. The book will be a useful resource for academics and practising lawyers working in shipping and maritime law.