Maritime Industry

We represent owners, operators, investors, and individuals in matters before a range of state and federal regulatory agencies, including the US Department of Labor, the US Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and US Customs and Border Protection. We regularly represent the interests of individual clients and industry associations before lawmakers and regulators, helping strengthen the voice of maritime companies in the development of relevant laws and regulations.

With one of the largest groups of maritime-focused attorneys in the United States, Jones Walker is nationally ranked and recognized in marine finance, litigation, and regulatory as a leading law firm by national and international publications such as Chambers USA and The Legal 500 United States. Our dedication to the maritime industry is demonstrated by our membership in and involvement with maritime organizations and conferences such as the following:

• American Bar Association, Admiralty & Maritime Law Section
• American Waterways Operators
• Greater Houston Port Bureau
• Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association
• Greater New Orleans Port Safety Council
• Houston Marine & Energy Insurance Conference
• Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc.
• International Transportation Management Association
• Marine Money
• Mariner’s Club of New Orleans
• Maritime Law Association of the United States
• Offshore Marine Service Association
• Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
• Tulane Admiralty Law Institute
• US Coast Guard Foundation
• Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association

Industry-Tailored Guidance

Our diverse experience with all aspects of the maritime industry enables us to represent clients in transactional matters and related issues of business operations, in regulatory and government relations issues, and in complex, multidistrict litigation, arbitration, and mediation, as well as compliance with corporate, securities, labor and employment, health and safety, intellectual property, and other laws and regulations. 

Our clients come from across the industry spectrum, from traditional blue water, offshore, and inland markets to emerging markets like offshore wind, and include the following:

• Shipowners
• Operators
• Charterers
• Towboats and barge lines
• Lenders, financial institutions, and investors
• Cruise lines
• Ports and terminals
• Shipyards
• Cargo owners and blue water shipping interests
• Offshore service companies
• Offshore contractors
• Underwriters and insurers