Maritime Law practice of KIAP Law Firm provides legal assistance in all matters related to maritime law, including those arising from breaches of charter parties, contracts for carriage of goods, sale and purchase of vessels, arrest and release of vessels and cargo, and marine insurance.
The firm’s offices in the UAE (Dubai) and Cyprus (Limassol) enable us to provide prompt support and assist our clients worldwide, regardless of sanctions or other restrictions. Our team of experts in vessel technical and operational management, navigation safety, cargo handling, and accident investigation allows us to achieve the most effective results, aimed at preventing potential disputes or resolving them in our clients’ best interests.
The practice is headed by Maria Krasnova, Partner of KIAP, Attorneys at Law. Maria is an arbitrator of the Maritime Arbitration Commission at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, the Arbitration Centre at the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and the Russian Arbitration Centre. She has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, including handling large‑scale maritime law projects.
Maritime law consulting:
- Advising clients on the conclusion of charter parties, contracts for carriage of goods, freight forwarding and other agreements;
- Drafting legal opinions on maritime law matters;
- Providing legal assistance in connection with general average, vessel grounding, collisions, arrest of vessels and cargo, official investigations and inspections;
- Supporting transactions for sale and purchase of vessels and their re‑registration;
- Providing legal assistance on marine insurance (hull & machinery and P&I), cargo insurance and other types of insurance;
- Assisting in the selection and coordination of experts in the fields of navigation safety, technical operation, vessel design, maritime economics and environmental aspects of maritime transport.
Dispute resolution:
- Representing clients in court proceedings (including international disputes) on maritime law matters;
- Representing clients in arbitration (including international arbitration) on maritime law matters;
- Handling the enforcement of judicial acts and arbitral awards, including abroad.
Maritime Law Advisory Services
A vessel insured by a Russian company was driven ashore as a result of extreme weather. A general average was declared. The vessel was further declared a structural failure.
The Insured claimed all costs related to evacuation of the crew and provided a notice of possible pollution and removal of the wreck to the P&I insurer. The insurance company refused to pay and filed a claim to ...
22 March 2024
There was a fire on the vessel during the sea transportation of vehicles. As a result, some vehicles were lost, other were significantly damaged. The risk of vehicle loss and damage was insured by the client of KIAP Law Firm. As a result of lengthy negotiations, the insurer paid the indemnity and engaged KIAP Law Firm to assess the prospects of subrogation.
The situation was complicated...
22 March 2024
Pre-trial settlements
Advising the designated insurer, a largest Russian sea cargo carrier, on settling claims filed by foreign cargo owners due to damage of the cargo (motor vehicles). During the sea transportation of cargo on board a vessel owned by the client, the cargo was damaged as a result of extreme weather. Cargo owners filed a maritime claim, and the vessel was arrested in a foreign port.
As a resu...
22 March 2024
KIAP Law Firm's client signed a forwarding agreement. There was a fire on the vessel during the sea transportation of dangerous goods owned by the client. As a result of the fire, the vessel and the cargo owned by other persons were damaged, and a general average was declared. The client's cargo also suffered significant damage. The shipowner and the forwarder initiated a separate investigatio...
22 March 2024
Litigation and arbitration
The vessel operated by the Client was insured with five insurance companies under Clauses of the Institute of London Insurers. During berthing at a foreign port, it was discovered that the main engine is damaged. Based on the expert opinion, the leading insurer recognized the event as a loss event and paid compensation. All insurers paid their shares of the loss except one Russian company, whi...
22 March 2024
A vessel insured by a Russian company was driven ashore as a result of extreme weather. A general average was declared. The vessel was further declared a structural failure.
The Insured claimed all costs related to evacuation of the crew and provided a notice of possible pollution and removal of the wreck to the P&I insurer. The insurance company refused to pay and filed a claim to ...
22 March 2024
