In Central Boat Rentals, Inc. et al. v. M/V NOR GOLIATH, the Fifth Circuit once again considered what was a “necessary” provided to a vessel that gave rise to a maritime lien under the Commercial Instruments and Maritime...more
This month’s roundup focuses on what constitutes a “necessary” under the Commercial Instruments and Maritime Liens Act (“CIMLA”), which provides a statutory lien to those who provide necessaries to a vessel on the order of...more
On September 22, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which would implement various changes relating to the certification of states’ titling systems for undocumented vessels. The NPRM...more
As we attempt to mitigate the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our global supply chain, stakeholders should be actively considering downstream impacts. In this current environment, considering prospective...more
• The high-profile collapse of the O.W. Bunker Group has caused havoc in the maritime industry and illustrated the need for owners to take every step possible to avoid allowing any lien for bunkers attached to its vessel. ...more
In a case decided on March 28, 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that a maritime lien on a vessel for the "maintenance and cure" of an injured seaman was not subject to the "automatic stay" that generally arises...more
• In the legal battle of competing maritime lien claims against vessels whose charterers contracted with O.W. Bunker & Trading A/S or its affiliates in October-November 2014, an important decision was issued this week by the...more
Can a Bankruptcy Court order the sale of a vessel “free and clear” of a seaman’s maritime lien for maintenance and cure under Bankruptcy Code § 363? According to the Ninth Circuit’s recent ruling in Barnes v. Sea Hawaii...more
So, what is LIBOR? LIBOR—the London Interbank Offered Rate—is one of the most ubiquitous benchmarks for determining short-term interest rates in bank (and other) lending. LIBOR rates are short-term fixed rates quoted for...more
Vessels cannot sail without fuel. This industry truth is recognized in contracts and under U.S. maritime law. In fact, enabling ship operators to efficiently obtain fuel is so important that U.S. maritime law purports to...more