Our work
Shipping and Admiralty Law
Advice across vessel transactions, shipping operations and maritime disputes.
Discuss your matterOverview
How we can help
We assist owners, charterers, cargo interests, insurers, financiers, agents and maritime businesses with the legal issues that arise before a voyage, during operations and when a dispute or casualty occurs. Our work connects the commercial documents with vessel ownership, the evidence, applicable law and the proper forum. Urgent matters begin with an assessment of the vessel’s location, sailing schedule, available security and relevant deadlines.
Services
Matters we cover
Vessel arrest, release and maritime security
Assessing whether a claim falls within Bangladesh admiralty jurisdiction, the proper defendant and the conditions for an action against a vessel. We prepare arrest or release applications, examine ownership and charter arrangements, negotiate security and respond to challenges, wrongful arrest allegations and competing claims. Arrest and release require the appropriate court orders.
Cargo claims and bills of lading
Claims for cargo loss, shortage, damage, contamination, misdelivery and delay. We review bills of lading, sea waybills, delivery orders, booking terms and incorporated clauses; identify the carrier and claimant; preserve survey and delivery evidence; and assess notices, contractual defences, limitation issues and recovery against the responsible party.
Charterparties, freight and demurrage
Drafting, reviewing and disputing voyage, time and bareboat charter arrangements. Our work covers freight and hire, laytime, demurrage and despatch, off-hire, vessel performance, safe port obligations, notices of readiness, deviation, cancellation, withdrawal and early termination, with particular attention to the agreed terms and operational records.
Ship sale, purchase, building and repair
Vessel acquisition and disposal, sale memoranda, ownership and encumbrance checks, delivery documentation and closing arrangements. We review shipbuilding, conversion, repair and dry-docking contracts, specifications, payment stages, guarantees, delivery delays, defects and warranty claims, coordinating technical findings with marine surveyors and engineers where needed.
Ship finance, mortgages and ownership
Loan and security documentation, vessel mortgages, guarantees, assignments of earnings and insurance, and registration or discharge of security where applicable. We advise on ownership structures, co-ownership disputes, financing conditions, default and enforcement options, including priorities and judicial sale issues when the legal requirements are met.
Marine insurance and P&I matters
Policy and coverage reviews involving hull and machinery, cargo, liability and protection and indemnity arrangements. We assist with notifications, evidence, disclosure issues, exclusions, deductibles, insurer responses, subrogated recoveries and settlement discussions. Coverage and any club assistance depend on the policy or rules and the particular casualty.
Collision, grounding, salvage and general average
Legal response to collisions, allisions, groundings, fire, machinery incidents and other marine casualties. We organise evidence, survey and expert instructions, analyse liability and loss, review salvage and towage arrangements, and address general average demands, security, contribution and limitation of liability where available under the applicable law.
Ports, terminals, logistics and maritime debts
Port and terminal agreements, stevedoring, warehousing, freight forwarding, multimodal carriage, agency and ship management contracts. We handle disputes over bunkers, necessaries, repairs, port charges, container detention and services, reviewing the contractual debtor and whether a particular claim supports an admiralty remedy. Inland transport issues are assessed under their own applicable regime.
Registration, flag and operational compliance
Documentation for vessel registration, ownership transfers, mortgages and deletion where applicable, together with legal support on statutory certificates, surveys, manning and operational permissions. We assist with Department of Shipping and port authority correspondence, inspection findings and detention responses, coordinating technical compliance with authorised surveyors and specialists.
Seafarers, crew and passenger claims
Employment agreements, unpaid wages, recruitment and manning arrangements, repatriation, abandonment, injury and death claims, and passenger disputes. We examine the employment and voyage documents, flag and forum, insurance and available remedies, and assist with negotiation or proceedings while coordinating local and overseas advice where necessary.
Pollution, wrecks and ship recycling
Legal advice on spill and pollution incidents, environmental liabilities, wreck removal demands, waste handling and recycling contracts or permissions. We review notices, contractual risk allocation, insurance and claims, identify the domestic rules and any international obligations applicable to the vessel or facility, and coordinate scientific and technical evidence.
Maritime arbitration and enforcement
Dispute resolution clauses, governing law and forum advice, negotiation, mediation and domestic or international arbitration. We prepare claims, defences, witness evidence and hearing submissions, consider interim protection and settlement security, and assess award recognition, enforcement or challenge routes and asset recovery with appropriately authorised overseas counsel where required.
Each matter is assessed against the relevant contract, Bangladesh law, forum rules and any applicable international regime. Foreign law advice and overseas representation are coordinated with appropriately authorised counsel. Technical surveys, valuations and certifications are undertaken by qualified specialists.
Our approach
A considered approach
- 01Identify the vessel, IMO or registration number, parties, ownership, voyage and sailing schedule; complete conflict checks and assess urgent deadlines.
- 02Review the contract, carriage documents, insurance, notices and operational evidence; coordinate surveys and preserve records.
- 03Assess jurisdiction, available claims and defences, security, costs and practical recovery; prepare negotiation, court or arbitral proceedings.
- 04Agree instructions, fees and reporting, and coordinate authorised overseas counsel and marine specialists where the matter requires them.
First enquiry
Useful information to bring
- Vessel name, IMO or registration number, current port, expected sailing date and relevant ownership or charter details
- Charterparty, bills of lading, booking terms, sale, repair, finance or insurance documents
- Survey reports, photographs, cargo and delivery records, statements of facts, logs and port correspondence
- Claim calculations, invoices, notices, court papers and a dated chronology, including any response deadline
Please do not send confidential material until the team has confirmed the appropriate way to share it.
Leadership
Barrister Mirza Imran Hassan
Head of Chamber, Barrister of Gray’s Inn and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Instructions are assessed for the appropriate expertise, conflicts and availability before the scope and fees are agreed.
Read his professional profileCommon questions
Frequently asked questions
Can any unpaid maritime invoice support a vessel arrest?
No. The statutory category of claim, vessel relationship, ownership and other jurisdictional requirements must be established. An arrest application requires evidence and a court order. We review the underlying debtor and documents before recommending an application.
How can an arrested vessel be released?
Release may be sought through the appropriate court process, including suitable security where available. The amount, form, provider and conditions require review. An agreement between parties may still require the relevant court’s approval or order.
Which law applies to cargo or charterparty disputes?
The contract, incorporated terms, mandatory law and forum all matter. Notice, claim and time-bar provisions must be checked promptly. An international convention is relevant only where it applies to the particular carriage, vessel or jurisdiction.
What should I do if a vessel is about to sail?
Provide the vessel name and identifying number, port, expected departure, parties, claim documents and any deadlines promptly. Urgent remedies depend on jurisdiction, evidence and the time available. No arrest or other protective order can be guaranteed.
Can you help with marine insurance or an overseas arbitration?
We review the policy or club rules, notifications, contract and dispute clause, then agree the Bangladesh role and any need for authorised overseas counsel or marine experts. Coverage, forum and enforcement require separate assessment.
Related legal services
Get in touch
Contact our clerks to discuss your matter and arrange a consultation.
StoneGate Chamber
Flat C2, House 38, Road 104
Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh
We can discuss the circumstances and direct your enquiry to an appropriate member of the chambers.
Contact usConsultation and disclaimer
Contact our clerks to discuss your matter and arrange a consultation. The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Enquiries are subject to conflict checks and agreed terms.
Each matter depends on its facts, evidence, procedure and the applicable law. This page does not constitute an offer to advise or represent you.