Risk Management Archives - Fichte & Co Legal

Abandonment of Seafarers: When Legal Duty Is Not Enough

Bhargavi Gadre — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:55:53 +0000

Thousands of seafarers keep global trade moving every day. Yet, in some cases, they are still left stranded, unpaid, and without basic support often far from home. This is what abandonment looks like in practice. And it remains one of the most serious failures in the maritime industry today. What does abandonment really mean? …

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Ship Arrest: The One Legal Tool that can Stop a Vessel Overnight

Bhargavi Gadre — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:06:31 +0000

In shipping, most disputes take time. Ship arrest doesn’t. It is one of the very few tools in maritime practice that can immediately disrupt operations, create pressure, and force action sometimes within hours. And that’s exactly why it matters. What is ship arrest, in practical terms? Think of it as a legal pause button. …

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U.S. Sanctions and Shipping: Guidance for Port & Customs Authorities

Arthur Dedels — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:37:21 +0000

In recent years, the US has focused increasingly on “intermediaries” or “facilitators” of sanctions evasion, such as shipping companies, logistics service providers, freight forwarders and transport intermediaries, as well as insurance companies. Over the past few years, the US government has published several guidelines on sanctions compliance for the maritime industry. These guidelines highlight the …

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Impact of a Strait of Hormuz Closure on Shipping & Insurance

Anna Mkrtchyan — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:08:10 +0000

Strategic significance and the current disruption As of 28 February–3 March 2026, reporting indicates a sharp escalation in Gulf hostilities and a de facto interruption of safe commercial transits through the Strait of Hormuz, driven by attacks on more than five tankers by drones and missiles, and clear threats issued by the IRGC against transiting …

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U.S. Sanctions and Shipping: Guidance for Maritime Insurance Companies

Arthur Dedels — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:59:09 +0000

In recent years, the U.S. has focused increasingly on “intermediaries” or “facilitators” of sanctions evasion, such as shipping companies, logistics service providers, freight forwarders and transport intermediaries, as well as insurance companies. Over the past few years, the U.S. government has published several guidelines on sanctions compliance for the maritime industry. These guidelines highlight the …

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A Recognized Port of Refuge in the UAE?

Jasmin Fichte — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:42:34 +0000

There has been an alarming increase in ship casualties in recent years, often caused by fire in containers, in holds or in the engine room. Recent casualties in the MENA region include the MAERSK FRANKFURT (fire and explosion), the ASL BAUHINIA (fire in Containers on board) and the WAN HAI 503 (fire and explosions), all …

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The “Dark Fleet” Phenomenon: Risks for Charterers and Owners

Arthur Dedels — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:47:51 +0000

In recent years, the so-called “dark fleet” has transformed the maritime landscape. This shadow network consists largely of old tankers in sanctioned trades, particularly involving Russian, Iranian, or Venezuelan oil. These vessels often use deceptive practices such as AIS spoofing, ship-to-ship transfers, forged documents, concealed ownership, and rapid flag-hopping. At first glance, the dark fleet …

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