Legal Advisor - Shipping & Maritime

Overview

1. Maritime Contracts & Commercial Operations

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of maritime contracts, including:
• Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for sale & purchase of vessels
• Charterparties (time, voyage, bareboat)
• Bills of lading
• Ship management agreements
• Shipbuilding and repair contracts
• Agency and port services agreements
• Advise on cargo claims, demurrage disputes, off-hire issues, and performance claims.
• Support commercial negotiations with charterers, operators, and freight forwarders.

2. Regulatory & Compliance (UAE & International)

• Ensure compliance with UAE Maritime Law and international maritime conventions.
• Liaise with relevant authorities including:
• UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

• Federal Transport Authority

• Advise on vessel registration, flagging, and licensing requirements.
• Ensure compliance with:
• IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW)
• UAE port regulations
• Sanctions regimes and international trade restrictions
• UAE AML/CFT regulations (where applicable)

3. Vessel Acquisition, Sale & Financing

• Lead legal due diligence for vessel acquisitions and disposals.
• Draft and negotiate:
• Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) for vessel sale/purchase
• Shipbuilding contracts
• Loan and mortgage agreements
• Security documentation (vessel mortgages, assignments of earnings & insurances)
• Liaise with UAE and international banks on shipping finance transactions.

4. Insurance & Claims Management

• Advise on marine insurance policies (H&M, P&I, cargo insurance).
• Manage casualty incidents, collisions, salvage, and general average claims.
• Coordinate with P&I Clubs, surveyors, and external maritime counsel.

5. Risk Management

• Identify legal and operational risks related to:
• a.
• High-risk areas/war risks
• b.
• Sanctions exposure
• c.
• Insurance coverage (including P&I)
• Provide legal opinions and mitigation strategies

6. Corporate & Transaction Support

• Support vessel sale & purchase transactions including:
• a.
• Due diligence
• b.
• Documentation review
• c.
• Closing Procedure
• Advise on corporate structuring of shipping entities

7. Internal Stakeholder Support

• Provide legal advice to:
• a.
• Technical, commercial and operations teams
• b.
• Finance (insurance, COFR, banking matters**)**
• Assist in internal investigation and compliance matters.

8. Dispute Resolution

• Handle shipping-related disputes including charterparty disputes and cargo claims.
• Coordinate arbitration proceedings (e.g., LMAA or regional forums).
• Develop risk mitigation frameworks for vessel operations and trade routes.
• Manage external litigation and arbitration counsel within budget.
• Collision, salvage and pollution claims

Qualifications

• LLB (LLM in Maritime Law preferred).
• Qualified lawyer (UAE or common law jurisdiction preferred).
• 6–12 years of post-qualification experience in maritime/shipping law.
• Experience with shipping companies, marine insurers, port operators, or international maritime law firms.

Core Competencies

• Strong knowledge of UAE Maritime Law and international conventions.
• Expertise in charterparty negotiation and vessel financing structures.
• Commercial acumen in shipping operations and freight markets.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage high-value, cross-border disputes.