Maritime & Shipping

Maritime Lawyers in Dubai for Vessel Arrest, Cargo and Charterparty Disputes

AY Advocates advises shipowners, charterers, vessel managers, cargo interests, marine insurers, freight businesses and other participants in the UAE maritime sector. Our maritime lawyers in Dubai assist with vessel arrest, charterparty disputes, cargo claims, marine insurance, ship transactions and other contentious and commercial shipping matters.

Maritime disputes can move quickly because the vessel, cargo, contractual parties and available assets may be located in different jurisdictions. The governing contract, agreed forum, vessel location, ownership position and availability of security can therefore affect the strategy from the beginning. A maritime lawyer should consider these issues before proceedings are commenced or urgent measures are sought.

Our work covers charterparties, bills of lading, carriage of goods, ship sale and purchase, mortgages, marine insurance and port-related arrangements. We also advise on disputes involving off-hire, demurrage, damaged or missing cargo, unpaid freight, collisions, bunkers and other liabilities arising from the operation or use of a vessel.

Vessel arrest is a particularly time-sensitive area of maritime practice. Under the UAE Maritime Law, prejudgment attachment may be sought in respect of specified maritime debts. The arresting applicant must provide a financial guarantee accepted by the competent court to meet the necessary safety and security needs of the vessel and crew during the attachment period. Release may also be available where sufficient security is provided, subject to the nature of the maritime claim.

For international shipping contracts, the governing law and dispute-resolution provisions require close review. Lawyers practising maritime law should consider the agreed law and forum together with any UAE procedures required for vessel arrest, enforcement or other measures involving vessels or assets located in the UAE.

What We Do

• Vessel arrest and release: Applications to arrest vessels in UAE ports to secure qualifying maritime debts, and applications to release vessels arrested against our clients, including the negotiation and provision of security.
• Charterparty disputes: Time and voyage charter disputes, off-hire, unsafe port and berth claims, demurrage and detention, and performance claims.
• Cargo claims: Claims for loss, damage, shortage, contamination and delay under bills of lading and charterparties, acting for cargo interests and carriers alike.
• Ship sale, purchase and finance: Memoranda of agreement, delivery and registration, ship mortgages and their enforcement, and flag and classification questions.
• Casualties, collision and salvage: Collision, grounding, fire, salvage, towage and general average, including immediate response, evidence preservation, and dealings with the port and coastguard authorities.
• Marine insurance and P&I: Hull, cargo and liability coverage disputes, policy interpretation, subrogated recoveries, and coverage advice for insurers and clubs.
• Crew and seafarer matters: Wage claims, repatriation, injury and death claims, and the crew consequences of an arrest or an abandonment.
• Ports, terminals and logistics: Terminal services, stevedoring, storage, freight forwarding and multimodal transport agreements, and the disputes arising under them.
• Bunkers, trade and commodities: Bunker supply disputes, letters of credit, and disputes under commodity sale contracts where the goods are afloat.

Who We Act For

AY Advocates acts for shipowners and vessel managers, charterers and traders, cargo interests and receivers, marine insurers and P&I clubs, port and terminal operators, freight businesses and banks financing vessels.

We assist with both urgent maritime proceedings and longer-running commercial disputes, allowing jurisdiction, security, evidence and enforcement issues to be considered from the outset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a vessel be arrested in the UAE for any unpaid debt?

No. Vessel arrest is available only where the claim satisfies the requirements of the UAE maritime framework. The law identifies categories of maritime debt that may support prejudgment attachment, including certain claims relating to the use of a vessel, carriage of goods, cargo damage, chartering, crew wages, mortgages and disputes concerning the sale of a ship.

What security may be required when applying to arrest a vessel?

The arresting applicant must provide a financial guarantee accepted by the competent court for the necessary safety and security requirements of the vessel and crew during the attachment period. The precise requirements should be assessed in the context of the proposed arrest application.

My cargo has been damaged. Who may be responsible?

Potentially the carrier, charterer, terminal operator or another party in the transport chain, depending on where and how the damage occurred and the relevant contractual documents. Insurance recovery may also need to be considered. Notice requirements and limitation periods can vary, so the documents and chronology should be reviewed promptly.

Does UAE law apply if my charterparty specifies English law?

Not necessarily. Under the UAE Maritime Law, the law of the ship's flag applies to a charterparty unless the parties agree otherwise. A contractual choice of English law may therefore govern the substantive charterparty relationship, while vessel arrest, enforcement and other procedural measures before UAE courts remain subject to the applicable UAE rules.

How should I compare the best maritime law firms for a shipping dispute?

Consider experience relevant to the particular issue, such as vessel arrest, charterparty disputes, cargo claims, marine insurance or ship finance. The firm should also be able to assess jurisdiction, available security, contractual dispute provisions and enforcement strategy where the matter involves more than one country.