Note from the Editor
Ever since the time of the Phoenicians, geopolitics has impacted maritime trade. Conflicts gave rise to strategies that often included blockading trade routes to starve the enemy of its required resources, food, and arms. The strategy was singularly focused and used for centuries.
Today’s geopolitical climate has impacted the maritime industry through rising insurance premiums, increased freight rates, and spiking energy costs. Whether the issue is sanctions, tariffs, the skirmishes in the Red Sea, or the conflict in the Middle East, owners, charterers, shippers, vendors, insurers, crews, and the global consumer are all impacted. Vessels are altering routes, being blockaded, and being shot at. Insurers are trying to manage new and increased risks. And the global consumer is watching its buying power shrink.
The global maritime trade is the engine of the global economy. Today’s strategies to thwart an adversary’s geopolitical goals, while not much different in principle from the strategies of the Phoenicians, have significantly greater consequences for the global community.
Notwithstanding the geopolitical landscape, ships are still trading, and the industry is still advancing its technologies. This edition of Mainbrace examines developments in maritime law, both in litigation and arbitration, provides updates on IMO negotiations, and explores the scope of U.S. government investigations of marine casualties.
— William R. Bennett III, Editor
Co-Editor
Associate Editor
ARTICLES
The IMO Adopts the First Global Code for Autonomous Ships
By: Dana S. Merkel, Alan M. Weigel, and Vanessa C. DiDomenico
The International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) formally adopted the International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (the “Code”) on May 22, 2026, marking a significant regulatory milestone for autonomous shipping. Adopted at the conclusion of the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee, the Code establishes a goal-based framework to govern the design and operation of remotely controlled and fully autonomous commercial vessels. The Code took effect on July 1, 2026. Read More »
IMO Net-Zero Framework: MEPC 84 Advances Negotiations Amid Political Headwinds
By: Jeanne M. Grasso and Holli B. Packer
The IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee held its 84th session in London from April 27 to May 1, 2026. The session concluded with a commitment to rebuild consensus on global shipping emissions and proposed IMO Net-Zero Framework, even as the framework faced significant political opposition from the United States and several other Member States. Read More »
Carriage of Cargo on Deck: An Update—Lessons from AGCS Marine Insurance Co. v. M/V Imabari Logger
By: Noe S. Hamra and Thomas H. Belknap, Jr.
In April 2022, we published an article titled “Carriage of Cargo on Deck: Carriers Be Aware,” in which we discussed the legal risks carriers face when transporting cargo on deck under bills of lading governed by United States law. That article highlighted a critical but frequently overlooked point: neither the Hague Rules nor the United States Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (“COGSA”) applies to cargo that the contract of carriage states is being carried on deck and is so carried. We recommended that carriers include express language in their bills of lading incorporating COGSA into on-deck carriage so as to avail themselves of the statute’s defenses and limitation of liability. Since that article was published, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has issued a significant ruling in AGCS Marine Insurance Co. v. M/V Imabari Logger, No. 22-CV-9283 (S.D.N.Y. 2024), that reinforces the very concerns we raised and offers new practical guidance for carriers and their counsel. Read More »
Recent Award Highlights the Advantages of SMA Arbitration
By: John D. Kimball and Noe S. Hamra
A recent consolidated arbitration conducted under the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. (“SMA”) highlights several advantages of SMA arbitration for maritime and transportation disputes. The case is The M/V Della, SMA No. __ (2026). The dispute arose out of back-to-back booking notes for the carriage of approximately 10,000 to 12,000 metric tons of bagged polyester pellets from Taichung, Taiwan, to the United States, with one booking note between Centurion MPP Pte Ltd., as disponent owner, and Industrial Maritime Carriers, LLC, as charterer. There was a second booking note between IMC and DYLO, Inc., as sub-charterer. Read More »
Anatomy of a Marine Casualty Investigation
By: Thomas H. Belknap, Jr. and William R. Bennett III
Blank Rome’s maritime attorneys have been retained in the wake of many tragic maritime casualties that have resulted in the catastrophic loss of life, significant personal injury, damage to the environment, and loss of property. Examples include: the Staten Island Ferry’s allision with a maintenance pier; the blow-out and eventual loss of the Deepwater Horizon; the sinking of the El Faro; the collision of the USS John McCain’s with the M/V Alnic MC in the Singapore Strait; the Mexican Navy’s tall ship Arm Cuauhtémoc’s allision with the Brooklyn Bridge; and the M/V Dali’s allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Read More »
August 2026 Spotlight on …
Get to know Blank Rome Maritime team members Alexandra Clark and Natalie M. Radabaugh. Read More »
NEWS & RANKINGS
Chambers USA 2026 Recognizes Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices
Chambers USA nationally recognized Blank Rome as Band 1 in Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (New York), Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (outside New York), and Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Regulatory, as well as ranked our firm in Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Finance. Additionally, 10 attorneys in the Maritime group were individually ranked. Read More >>>
Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2026
The Legal 500 United States 2026 ranked Blank Rome as a “Top-Tier Firm” in Transport: Shipping: Litigation and Regulation and a “Recommended Firm” in Transport: Shipping Finance. Fourteen Blank Rome Maritime attorneys were individually recommended, with Anthony Salgado, Jeanne M. Grasso, and John D. Kimball named to the “Hall of Fame.” Read More >>>
Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in Maritime, Admiralty & The High Seas
Sixteen Blank Rome Maritime attorneys were recognized in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in Maritime, Admiralty & The High Seas guide. This inaugural edition highlights leading lawyers whose practices span a wide range of maritime matters, including piracy, international disputes, offshore energy, superyachts, cruise ship injuries, and ship finance. Read More >>>
Chambers Global 2026 Recognizes Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices
Chambers Global 2026 recognized Blank Rome as a global leader in Shipping: Litigation. Senior counsel John D. Kimball was recognized in Shipping: Litigation for his industry knowledge and leading practices. Read More >>>
Client Success: Blank Rome Secures Significant Victory for Centurion MPP in Consolidated New York Arbitration
A Blank Rome team secured a significant victory for our client Centurion MPP Pte Ltd. (“Centurion”) in a consolidated New York arbitration conducted under the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators. The case arose from a failed cargo shipment aboard the M/V DELLA. The Blank Rome team representing Centurion was led by John D. Kimball and Noe S. Hamra. Read More >>>
Trump Administration Resource Hub
We invite you to visit our Trump Administration Resource Hub to explore thought leadership by a our team of attorneys dedicated to providing comprehensive analysis and actionable insights to help navigate the complexities and opportunities presented by the administration’s executive orders, policies, and regulatory changes.
The BR Investigations and Enforcement Forum
The BR Investigations and Enforcement Forum (“B.R.I.E.F.”) is Blank Rome’s monthly newsletter highlighting enforcement priorities and compliance risk issues impacting businesses domestically and abroad. B.R.I.E.F. delivers concise insights into boardroom resilience, regulatory and sanctions developments, internal investigations, enforcement trends, and evolving financial crime risks. Read the July edition here.
Appellate Insights: Winning on Appeal
We are excited to share a new issue of Blank Rome Appellate Insights: Winning on Appeal, our monthly digital newsletter dedicated to appellate law. This publication highlights significant appellate court decisions, as well as trends and developments shaping litigation strategy across the country. In each issue, readers will find timely analysis, case spotlights, and commentary from our experienced Appellate Litigation team. To read the latest edition of Appellate Insights: Winning on Appeal, please click here.
The BR International Trade Report
The July 2026 issue of The BR International Trade Report, Blank Rome’s monthly digital newsletter, highlights international trade, sanctions, cross-border investment, geopolitical risk issues, trends, and laws impacting businesses domestically and abroad. Click here to read it.
RESOURCES
Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team (“SWERT”)
SWERT is an interdisciplinary group of Blank Rome attorneys and government relations professionals with decades of experience helping companies and individuals recover from severe weather events, including hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides, snowstorms, earthquakes, and tornadoes. We are ready to assist those in the path of storms and other severe weather events. Read More »
Safe Passage Blog
We invite our readers to dive into our archive of Mainbrace newsletters and maritime development advisories, as well as keep abeam with all of our current and upcoming analyses on trending maritime topics and legislation, in our Safe Passage blog. Read More »
© 2026 Blank Rome LLP. All rights reserved. Please contact Blank Rome for permission to reprint. Notice: The purpose of this update is to identify select developments that may be of interest to readers. The information contained herein is abridged and summarized from various sources, the accuracy and completeness of which cannot be assured. This update should not be construed as legal advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for the advice of counsel.