Maritime & Shipping

Wet and dry shipping work, from vessel arrest to charterparty disputes.

Maritime and shipping matters often involve complex commercial, technical and cross-border considerations. We advise shipowners, charterers, operators, cargo interests, insurers, freight forwarders and other participants in the UAE’s maritime sector.

Our work covers charterparties, bills of lading, carriage of goods, vessel sale and purchase, ship finance, marine insurance and port-related arrangements. Where disputes arise, we assist with cargo claims, collisions, damaged or delayed goods, unpaid freight, charterparty breaches, vessel arrest and maritime arbitration.

The governing law, contractual forum, vessel location and availability of assets can materially affect the strategy adopted. These factors are assessed from the outset so that claims, interim measures and enforcement proceedings are pursued through the appropriate UAE or international forum.

What we do

• Vessel arrest and release — Applications to arrest vessels in UAE ports to secure maritime claims, 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

Shipowners and managers, charterers and traders, cargo interests and receivers, marine insurers and P&I clubs, port and terminal operators, and banks financing vessels.

Common questions

How quickly can a vessel be arrested in the UAE?

Within days, sometimes faster, provided the claim qualifies and the paperwork is ready. Preparation before the vessel arrives is what makes speed possible.

What security must I provide to arrest a vessel?

The court will normally require counter-security. The amount depends on the claim and on the court’s assessment of the risk to the owner.

My cargo has been damaged. Who do I claim against?

Potentially the carrier, the charterer, the terminal or your insurer, depending on where the damage occurred and what the bill of lading says. Time bars are short, so this is not a question to sit on.

Does UAE law apply if my charterparty specifies English law?

The parties’ choice of law is generally respected, but arrest, enforcement and certain mandatory provisions remain governed by UAE law.