Maritime

Jones Walker’s Maritime Practice Group represents clients engaged in domestic and international shipping and offshore drilling, transport, production activities, and onshore and port-related activities. We act as principal counsel for clients across the maritime industry, including inland barge lines; towboat companies; ocean-going shipping lines; cruise lines; terminal operators; stevedores; major oil and gas exploration, production, transmission, and service companies; offshore construction companies; builders of inland and ocean vessels; offshore platforms; barges, rigs, and pipelines; and hull, cargo, P&I, and general liability insurers. Because our clients' issues may arise at any time, members of our group are always on call.

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 further demonstrated by our active membership, involvement, and leadership in a broad range of maritime organizations and associations.

Our diverse experience with all aspects of the maritime industry enables us to represent clients in transactional matters and related business operations issues, as well as in regulatory or government relations issues and in complex, multi-district litigation, arbitration, and mediation, as described below.

Transactional Experience

Marine Contracts

With respect to marine contracts, we have extensive experience in the negotiation and drafting of charter parties, contracts of affreightment, transportation agreements, terminal tariffs, berth applications, letters of credit, shipyard construction and repair contracts, naval architect contracts, and international sales contracts.

Maritime Finance

In the maritime finance area, we are frequently called on to counsel clients in complex ocean and inland domestic and international vessel acquisitions, financings, and flagging of vessels. We are very experienced in maritime lien enforcement, foreclosures, ship seizures, and maritime bankruptcies. In addition, we have handled billions of dollars in financing and refinancing for maritime industry clients.

Regulatory and Government Relations Experience

Regulatory

In addition to US Coast Guard proceedings, we engage in regulatory and administrative matters involving, among other things, US Army Corps of Engineers permit applications, US Customs seizures and classification disputes, and analysis of conventions and treaties.

Members of our maritime practice have particular experience handling manning issues offshore, including matters of immigration, citizenship, and outer continental shelf exemptions. As part of the maritime regulatory practice, our attorneys also advise on regulatory issues that significantly impact the offshore wind space. Because offshore wind projects traverse navigable waters on the Outer Continental Shelf, and state and federal jurisdictions, our maritime regulatory attorneys represent clients before numerous agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Federal Maritime Commission, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other federal, state, and local agencies.

Government Relations

Jones Walker's government relations practice addresses the many legislative and regulatory issues of regional, national, and international scope that affect maritime industry clients. Our highly-experienced staff assists clients by monitoring federal legislative and executive activities; participating in regulatory agency administrative proceedings; and preparing, supporting, or opposing legislative initiatives on behalf of our clients.

To accomplish these objectives, Jones Walker meets regularly with the most active policymakers in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and throughout the federal government. For example, Jones Walker's experience in coalition-building led to the development of an integrated coalition of 250 inland ports, waterways companies, shippers, and advocacy groups. The firm now advises this coalition on everything from organizational matters to strategic communications to lobbying.

Litigation

Personal Injury, Death & Property Litigation

We have extensive litigation experience in matters involving personal injury, death claims, property damage claims, aviation casualties, claims of Jones Act seamen, general maritime law claims, indemnity and contribution actions, Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act, offshore drilling rig activities, offshore derrick barge activities, offshore production platform activities, and products liability litigation.

Collisions & Environmental Matters

Our attorneys routinely handle vessel collisions, including investigations and US Coast Guard proceedings, limitation of liability actions, oil pollution response and liability, environmental damage claims, and salvage and wreck removal.

Maritime Emergency and Casualty Response

Being prepared to respond to a catastrophic event or maritime emergency means having a well-coordinated and tested casualty response and investigation plan adapted to your company’s specific needs in place. The Jones Walker maritime emergency and casualty response team has extensive experience partnering with clients in matters involving maritime disasters, collisions, allisions, contamination claims, oil pollution response, environmental damage claims, salvage, and wreck removal. We are available 24/7 to assist clients in preparing for and handling not only the immediate response but also the subsequent business, financial, regulatory, criminal, litigation, and public relations consequences of a marine casualty, whether major or minor.

Cargo

Additionally, we counsel clients concerning bills of lading and matters arising therefrom, including cargo damage claims, dispatch and demurrage, hazardous cargo, stevedoring operations, and terminal operations. 

Insurance

Jones Walker's Admiralty & Maritime Insurance practice includes broker's and agent's liability, cargo liability, charterer's legal liability, employer's liability, excess liability, insurance fraud, hull and machinery insurance, pollution liability, protection and indemnity insurance, tower's legal liability, and wharfinger's liability, among other insurance coverages.