Maritime (Admiralty) Law

Maritime Law, also known as Admiralty Law, is a unique and separate body of law that governs matters relating to ships and the seas.

The substantive maritime law is under the jurisdiction of the federal government in the US and Canada. However, depending on the facts, there are sometimes questions about whether federal maritime law applies or whether relevant state or provincial law applies instead. In England, which is the source of admiralty law concepts in both the US and Canada, a High Court of Admiralty was established all the way back in 1340!

Clients seeking maritime law services come from across the world. They include ship owners, charterers, owners of cargo, marine insurance agents and brokers, marine insurers, marine financial institutions, marine average adjusters, ship and charter brokers, protection and indemnity (P & I) clubs, oil and mineral exploration enterprises, stevedores, shipbuilders, ship operators and managers, ship repairers, salvors, marine surveyors, fishing companies, processors of fish, and freight forwarders.

Our maritime law and related areas practice fits right in with our focus on fields of law with international aspects, and includes the following:

• Shipping Law;

• Buying, selling chartering, and importing vessels;

• Government regulatory requirements for vessels;

• International Maritime Law (the “Law of the Sea”);

• International Maritime Security Law;

• International Marine Environmental Law;

• Management of international marine claims, protection, indemnity and insurance;

• Shipowners’ limitation of liability;

• Acquisitions;

• Financings;

• Flagging of vessels;

• Foreclosures;

• Seizures of ships;

• Maritime Liens;

• Maritime Insolvencies;

• Offshore Drilling;

• Onshore and port-related operations; and

• Maritime personal injury and death claims.

While some view maritime law as a relic of the past, the fact is that it is alive and well and constantly evolving. It has been estimated that more than 80% of world trade travels across oceans. The goods shipped, the vessels themselves, and the harbors they utilize are nearly always subject to marine insurance policies.

Our practice comprises the following:

• Broker's and agent’s liability;

• Protection and Indemnity insurance;

• Cargo liability;

• Charterer's legal liability;

• Pollution liability;

• Wharfinger's liability;

• Hull and machinery insurance; and

• Tower's legal liability.

We advise on bills of lading and related issues, including cargo damage claims, hazardous cargo, demurrage and dispatch, stevedoring operations, and terminal operations.

We draft, among others, the following marine-related documents:

• Charter Parties;

• Contracts of Affreightment;

• Transportation Agreements;

• Berth Applications;

• Letters of Credit;

• Terminal Tariffs; and

• Construction and Repair Contracts.

At Kramer International Law, we respond to your maritime needs with the in-depth knowledge and passion you require. We are here to help you take care of whatever needs to be done.