The maritime industry operates in a complex environment shaped by domestic and international law, strict regulations, and evolving risks. Adams & Reese understands the challenges that maritime companies face, whether they are shipping operators, offshore service providers, or shipbuilders. With a strong presence along the Gulf Coast and a government relations team in DC, we help clients navigate critical matters ranging from compliance and contracts to emergency responses and dispute resolution.
INDUSTRY CLIENTS
Adams & Reese maritime lawyers represent a wide range of maritime clients, both domestic and international.
- Blue and brown water shipping interests
- Charterers
- Contractors and joint ventures
- Cargo interests
- Crewing companies
- Cruise lines
- Deep sea mining operators
- Insurers and underwriters
- Lenders, financial institutions, and investors
- Ocean freight operators
- Oil and gas exploration and production companies
- Offshore contractors and service companies
- Operators
- Ports and terminals
- Shipping companies
- Shipyards and vessel manufacturers
- Towboats and barge lines
- Vessel brokers
Adams & Reese represents the Shipbuilders Council of America. Our federal team has leadership roles within the trade association and assists in legislation and advocacy to progress the industry and promote the economic benefits of using U.S.-built, owned, and crewed ships.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
In this heavily regulated sector, the Adams & Reese maritime attorneys provide legal counsel across a broad range of maritime matters, from routine compliance to emergency response situations. We guide clients through complex legal frameworks and agency interactions, including dealings with the U.S. Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Customs and more.
- Regulatory: Complying with the Jones Act, federal agency requirements, tariff schedules, foreign trade zones and more.
- Contracts and Operations: Advising on vessel repair and construction, offshore service and supply contracts, marine transportation agreements, chartering agreements, master service agreements, marine terminal operator and facility agreements, towing and barge lines operations and contracts, marine financing issues, and indemnity and breach of contract issues.
- Dispute Resolution: Handling litigation, arbitration, and mediation for disputes involving property damage, collisions, pollution, well blowouts, vessel collisions, environmental damage, personal injury, limitation of liability actions, claims under the Jones Act, and claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
- Marine Insurance: Addressing coverage opinions, investigations, negotiation of claims, evaluation of indemnity obligations, and first- and third-party bad faith failure-to-pay disputes.
Our lawyers include leaders in the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the American Bar Association’s Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee. Stand ready to address current and future industry challenges, from the role of artificial intelligence in the management of vessels and cargo to the ever-changing tariff structures.
Related Practices
Adams & Reese represented the seller of a $250 million business fleet, which included about 100 tow vessels and barges. Our work spanned tax structuring, employment issues, Hart-Scott-Rodino notifications, and the preparation of the acquisition agreement and closing documents.
Adams & Reese helped one of the nation’s largest and most diversified marine transportation companies with a 100-year ground lease for a sustainable fuel refinery in West Memphis, Arkansas.