Ship Law Log - Reed Smith

China’s imposition of new “Special Port Service Fees” on U.S.-linked vessels is more than trade retaliation — it’s a further stress test for ship finance structures. Philip Rymer and Roberto …

As a follow up to our initial post after the initial announcement on Friday 10 October 2025, we have further considered the new Implementation Measures (defined below) introduced by the …

The Court of Appeal recently considered the proper interpretation of Clause 29 of the BIMCO Barecon 2001 in the case Songa Product and Chemical Tankers III AS v Kairos Shipping …

Co-authored by Sofia Ntali and Shivana Agarwal. China’s Ministry of Transport announced today that a “Special Port Service Fee” will be imposed on U.S. linked vessels from Tuesday 14 October …

LONDON, 22 September 2025 — Global law firm Reed Smith hosted a breakfast seminar as part of London International Shipping Week (LISW), bringing together insurers, financiers, and other key stakeholders …

In the fast-paced world of ship sale and purchase (S&P), timing is everything. When millions of dollars are expected to change hands promptly between counterparties, even short delays can derail …

The ongoing Iran–Israel conflict and the volatile situation in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz have intensified scrutiny of maritime risk zones. While the industry addresses insurance implications and …

Bills of lading very frequently incorporate the Hague or Hague-Visby Rules and charterparty terms. Conflicts between the terms of a bill of lading and the incorporated Rules can sometimes appear. …

Originally published by The Superyacht Group. In the typically calm waters off Sicily, an incident brought renewed attention to the importance of safety aboard superyachts. On 19 August 2024, the …

English law offers three grounds to appeal against or challenge an arbitration award. The most frequently seen is an appeal based on error of law under section 69 of the …

On 27 March 2025, the yacht “Stefania” was sold at a public auction in France for 10 million euros. This sale was a result of the shipowners’ conviction for money …

The recent case of Bunge S.A. v. Pan Ocean Co., Ltd. [2025] EWHC 193 (the “Sagar Ratan”) sheds helpful light on the interpretation of the BIMCO Infectious or Contagious Diseases …

This article was originally published on Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly and is republished with permission. In this bulletin, we once again draw on our annual reports on French …

Hapag-Lloyd AG v. Skyros Maritime Corporation and Agios Minas Shipping Company [2024] EWHC 3139 (Comm) In a significant new case, the UK Commercial Court assessed damages following late redelivery of …

This case illustrates the complex relationship that can exist between proceedings brought against two different sea carriers arising out of the same event. French Courts addressed the following question: how …

This article was originally published on Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly and is republished with permission. In the latest of our series, which is annually published in the Lloyds …

Trading companies that seek to insulate their shipping risk by allocating their chartering activities to a separate entity will be reassured by a recent judgment of the English Court, in …

Despite living in an age of instantaneous correspondence and fast contractual negotiations, parties may still assume that promises as important as parent company guarantees, require detailed written documents, wet-ink, or …

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the UK, U.S. and EU were quick to impose economic sanctions on Russia. These sanctions have only increased in the …

This article provides an overview of the legal issues related to the maritime recovery of reusable rockets, which is an emerging practice in the commercial space industry. It summarizes the …

Following the recent dissolution of the French National Assembly, the country is preparing for early legislative elections. The political climate is tense for shipping companies with the two leading political …

Richard Gunn, the leading partner in Reed Smith’s Casualty and Admiralty team, sheds light on the intricacies of salvage operations amidst the recent Court of Appeal decision in Smit Salvage …

In The “Navigator Aries” [2023] SGCA 20, the Singapore Court of Appeal (the “CA”) clarified that Rule 9(a) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea 1972 (the “Colregs”) …

Navigating the turbulent waters of the global supply chain from geopolitical uncertainty, to evolving sanctions, and the adoption of decarbonisation: Insights from Reed Smith’s London International Shipping Week event. A …

We are conducting a short, anonymous survey to find out your thoughts on sustainable fuel sources in the transportation industry, including your understanding of the various options, potential challenges, and …

The global shipping industry is the backbone of international trade, connecting economies and facilitating the movement of goods. However, it comes with pronounced risks. From adverse weather conditions to regulatory …

Threatened with abrogation by numerous amendments submitted by opposition MPs during the examination of the Finance Bill for 2024, the French tonnage tax regime has finally been saved. Indeed, the …

Originally published By Superyacht News in ‘The Superyacht Owner Report’. Superyacht construction has always been a laboratory for innovation, pursuing the highest standards of comfort, luxury and safety – from …

The Jones Act is a challenge for the LNG industry in the United States. The Jones Act requires that all vessels used to transport merchandise between points in the United …

International shipping has the potential to undergo an evolution with developments in autonomy—these developments present opportunities to both increase safety and reduce risk to vessel operations. Zulu Associates, a Belgian …

The U.S. Supreme Court held on February 21, 2024 that “choice-of-law provisions in maritime contracts are presumptively enforceable as a matter of federal maritime law, with certain narrow exceptions.” Great …

International obligations: climate change At a United Nations climate conference in late 2023, participants championed the successes of climate commitments in previous years. Nevertheless, there was consensus that not enough …