Shipping & Maritime Litigation

LawCite Advocates offers deep-rooted expertise in Shipping and Maritime Litigation, serving the full spectrum of clients in the transportation, logistics, and cargo industries. We work closely with vessel owners, charterers, shipping lines, P&I Clubs, marine insurers, cargo owners, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, ports, terminals, customs agents, airlines, and rail operators. Our practice is built on practical experience, deep legal understanding, and real-time responsiveness to both domestic and international issues in the movement of goods by sea, air, road, and rail.

We combine litigation strength with commercial awareness to resolve disputes arising under charterparties, bills of lading, multimodal transport documents, port operations, and marine insurance.

Cargo Claims, Recovery and Transport Disputes

We handle cargo damage, loss, contamination, pilferage, delay, short landing, and misdelivery claims under bills of lading, sea waybills, air waybills, and rail receipts. We act for shippers, consignees, carriers, and freight intermediaries in pursuing or defending claims arising from incidents at sea, terminals, airports, or ICDs. Where commercial resolution is not possible, we represent clients before Indian courts and tribunals and in international arbitrations governed by ICC, SIAC, LCIA, LMAA, and ad hoc forums. We also support enforcement of foreign awards and jurisdictional coordination across borders.

Charterparty Disputes

We advise on time and voyage charterparty disputes involving demurrage, laytime, speed and performance claims, off-hire issues, early redelivery, cargo readiness, and withdrawal. Our experience includes interpreting rider clauses, recap telexes, and common English law forms such as GENCON, BALTIME, and NYPE. We assist both owners and charterers in enforcing commercial rights, dealing with withdrawal notices, non-payment of hire, and disputes linked to bills of lading issued under charters.

Admiralty, Arrest and Security Actions

We represent clients in vessel arrest and release proceedings under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017. We act on behalf of claimants asserting maritime claims, as well as shipowners facing arrest or detention at Indian ports. Our services include filing caveats, negotiating Club LOUs or bank guarantees, and pursuing associated recovery suits or damages.

Marine Insurance and P&I Representation

We advise on hull and machinery, cargo, delay in start-up, loss of hire, war risk, and general average claims. We act in policy interpretation, denial-of-liability disputes, breach of warranties, packaging disputes, and proximate cause controversies. Our firm works closely with P&I Clubs and H&M underwriters in defending or pursuing claims in India and abroad. We handle marine insurance subrogation and recovery proceedings, identifying liable third parties and initiating claims on behalf of insurers to recover payouts from responsible entities.

Multimodal, Air and Rail Transportation Law

We advise clients on disputes under the Carriage by Air Act, the Multimodal Transportation of Goods Act, Indian Railways Act, and relevant IATA, FIATA, and UIC regimes. This includes cargo loss or damage in international air freight, inland container transport, and cross-border rail movements. We address disputes for logistics service providers and their clients, covering claim timelines, liability limits, and jurisdictional objections across transport chains.

Regulatory, Port and Compliance Matters

We handle regulatory representation before the Directorate General of Shipping, Mercantile Marine Department, Customs, Ports, and other authorities. Our services cover licensing, registration, crew claims, port dues disputes, pollution penalties, customs delays, and forfeiture actions. We manage vessel registry formalities, transfer of ownership, and regulatory clearances for import, export, and compliance with statutory safety and manning obligations.

Ship Sale, Finance and Commercial Contracts

We draft and review ship sale and purchase agreements, shipbuilding contracts, financing and charter arrangements, and flag documentation. We advise on delivery obligations, classification society conditions, termination, and failure-to-deliver scenarios. We represent ship financiers and lessors in enforcing contractual rights, recovering secured interests, and resolving disputes involving maritime assets.

Our Approach to Claims and Disputes

We represent clients across all stages of cargo claims and transport disputes starting from survey coordination and claim documentation to negotiation, legal demand, arbitration, and court action. Whether representing the cargo owner, the carrier, or an insurer, we provide end-to-end support in securing recoveries or mounting effective defences.

Common Matters We Handle

• Cargo loss during multimodal transit involving sea, rail, or air

• Wrongful delivery of cargo without original documents

• Disputes under charterparties or slot sharing agreements

• Vessel arrest or port detention for unpaid dues

• Refusal or delay in marine insurance settlements

• Cargo seizure or forfeiture under customs or port laws

• Foreign arbitration against carriers, insurers, or freight forwarders

• Subrogation claims by insurers and defence for carriers

Our Commitment

We understand that transport and maritime disputes are time-sensitive and commercially disruptive. Our team acts with urgency and clarity, combining domain knowledge with legal precision. With years of experience in shipping, ports, logistics, cargo recovery, and international dispute resolution, LawCite Advocates is positioned to support your business wherever your cargo moves.