Maritime Law

The Lambos Firm, LLP is proud of its many years of service to the maritime industry. Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of maritime and admiralty litigation. The firm represents international and domestic vessel owners and operators in all types of commercial and maritime matters, whether under P&I policies or in corporate and employment-related situations. Over the years, the firm has represented the interests of the members of various English, American, and Scandinavian P&I Clubs, and insurers, as well as containership, general cargo, LASH, and tanker operators.

The Lambos Firm, LLP has a substantial cruise line defense practice and currently represents owners which provide more than 50% of the worldwide passenger volume.

The Firm's Maritime Casualty Activities include the defense, investigation, and prosecution of all manner of maritime claims such as: ship collisions; toxic substance spills, including fuels, petroleum products, chemicals, etc.; asbestos pollution; cargo loss and damage; ship structural damage; stranding and grounding; ship damage to shore structures; smoke or air pollution; personal injury and death (shipboard); statutory violations (U.S.A.); wreck removal (U.S.A. and elsewhere); "Unmanifested Merchandise" violations; petitions for remission or mitigation of fines; stowaways, repatriation, fines, etc.; navigation law violations; U.S. Coast Guard investigation hearings related to marine casualties.

Other maritime matters The Lambos Firm, LLP handles include: proceedings before the Federal Maritime Commission; Drug Control Programs for compliance with U.S. local regulations; waterfront property/facilities leases and licenses; arbitrations including presentation and defense of claims (firm members have also served as mediators and as arbitrators); drafting/preparation/revision of ocean bills of lading; drafting, preparation, and revision of Stipulations for Value, Bonds/Guarantees, Letters of Credit, Security Documents, contracts of affreightment, forward booking agreements; bankruptcy matters; enforcement/defense/assessment of maritime liens; vessel documentation in various jurisdictions.

The restrictions on ocean dumping imposed by federal environmental laws has severely impeded maintenance dredging of channels and berths essential for safe and efficient commercial shipping operations. The Lambos Firm, LLP was instrumental in representing maritime interests in the Port of New York and New Jersey in convincing federal courts at the district and appellate levels to deny the request by several environmental organizations to enjoin the long overdue dredging of berths and channels adjacent to the major container terminals in New York Harbor.