Maritime Law Firms News

Data sharing is a prerequisite to enabling the successful implementation of “Just-In-Time” (JIT) operations – which can cut the time ships spend idling outside ports and help cut emissions as well as save on fuel costs.Participants at a roundtable meeting of  International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping (GIA) at IMO Headquarters, London (1-2 May), agreed that increased transparency of information through data sharing was imperative, while this should be achieved through standardized functional and data definitions.More frequent exchange of information would lead to better predictability of when a berth is available.

The Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) is on a mission to grow the city and port into one of the world’s premiere maritime centers. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently spoke with Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein, Executive Director of the newly re-established VIMC, for her insights on the pace and direction of the initiative. Let’s start out easily. Why Vancouver? Why now? Why Vancouver? Projections and studies indicate that global trade will increase and shift to the Pacific due to the demand of resources by China and India.

Since 1935, MOPS Marine License Insurance has defended the USCG licenses of mariners operating in every maritime sector in the United States. Its network of over 80 maritime law firms, representing almost 200 experienced maritime attorneys, provides MOPS policyholders with personal legal representation from the marine casualty to final disposition. MOPS provides Unlimited License Defense, Full or Partial Income Protection, Civil Legal Defense, Civil Penalty Defense, Criminal Defense, Professional Liability, and Professional Equipment/Instruments Protection. The firm has 12 employees.

The addition of all 8 attorneys from Bell, Ryniker & Letourneau 
strengthens Houston presence for largest U.S. maritime legal practice Blank Rome LLP. This group of attorneys and additional professional staff bring significant experience in maritime and energy law, in addition to the areas of insurance, transportation, government contracts and construction. Michael K. Bell, Keith B. Letourneau, and Douglas J. Shoemaker join as partners; Robert J. Ryniker, and James C. Arnold join as of counsels; and Mitchell R. Machann, Tracy Freeman, and David G. Meyer join as associates. “We are delighted to welcome Michael, Keith, Douglas and all of our new colleagues to our Houston office and to the Blank Rome team,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Co-Chairman and Managing Partner.

A step-change for the international maritime industry’s escalating war against piracy is ushered in with the official opening of the Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre (MMWC), a UK based, non-profit organisation staffed by experienced maritime security specialists. MMWC has been established to provide certificated counter-piracy training and ongoing operational support, to enable members to adopt a coordinated, structured and sustainable approach to mitigating the financial, operational and human impact of piracy.

Blank Rome LLP and Healy & Baillie, LLP will combine their practices as of October 1, 2006. Healy & Baillie is ranked as one of the leading maritime law firms in the United States with a notable international practice and office in Hong Kong. The combined firm will house the nation’s largest Maritime practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Healy & Baillie to the Blank Rome family. Their depth of experience in international, maritime and admiralty law is unmatched and will be an excellent complement to our existing practice,” said Carl M. Buchholz, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Blank Rome. Founded in 1948, Healy & Baillie is a leading provider of legal services to the maritime industry in New York, Hong Kong, New Jersey, and Connecticut.