Note from the Editor
I recently had coffee with an acquaintance who works in real estate. He was aware that our law practice has a focus on shipping and presumed we were very busy because of the events taking place in the Strait of Hormuz. What was most interesting about his presumption and the conversation that followed, was the awareness that geopolitical events that affect shipping cause significant disruption to global economic stability. He discussed the increased costs associated with managing buildings, in part due to rising fuel costs leading to increased prices for products and services. In addition to the economic implications, I explained to him about the increased pressures placed on owners, managers, insurers, and crew to keep ships moving safely and efficiently. This month’s issue touches on several issues related to the Iran War, including disruptions to navigation and legal risk, and also includes a primer on the Jones Act waiver related to the transportation of oil, natural gas, and other products between U.S. ports.
At the end of our coffee, I felt like I had given a class on the basics of global shipping to an eager pupil who was ready to learn about how the international shipping industry affects our daily lives. It is hard to imagine the chaos and destruction that would ensue if shipping came to a worldwide halt. We would quickly revert to the Dark Ages. In short, international shipping is vital to supporting the global supply chain and ensuring stable economies, and governments must allow for free navigation.
— William R. Bennett III, Editor
Co-Editor
Associate Editor
ARTICLES
High Seas Treaty Takes Force: What You Need to Know
By: Jeanne M. Grasso and Holli B. Packer
Roughly two thirds of the ocean lies outside of any country’s jurisdiction. This area, encompassing about half of the Earth’s total surface, is known as the “high seas.” The high seas hold huge importance to the health of the planet, with rich biodiversity and natural resources. A comprehensive framework to govern and safeguard the high seas has been absent, until now. Read More »
The Iran War and International Shipping: Navigating Disruption and Legal Risk in the International Shipping and Logistics Industries
By: Keith B. Letourneau, Natalie M. Radabaugh, and G. Evan Spencer
The escalation of armed conflict involving the United States, Israel, Iran, and certain Gulf states following coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in late February 2026 has significantly and immediately impacted international shipping and logistics. The Strait of Hormuz—a major maritime choke point for the global energy trade—has effectively been shut down, with daily vessel transits collapsing to a fraction of pre-war levels. The consequences for international shipping and logistics are substantial, and the potential legal implications for participants across the global maritime, energy, and supply chain industries are equally far-reaching. Read More »
Trump Administration Issues 60-Day Jones Act Waiver Amid the Iran War
By: Keith B. Letourneau, Natalie M. Radabaugh, and G. Evan Spencer
Based on a request by the Department of War, the Trump Administration announced a 60-day limited waiver of the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 55102) on March 17, 2026, in response to energy market volatility amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran. According to the March 19 bulletin published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the waiver permits foreign-flag vessels to transport certain goods, including oil, natural gas, coal, and fertilizer, between U.S. ports for the duration of the waiver period, which will expire on May 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. Read More »
Navigating DOJ’s New Corporate Enforcement Landscape: Key Considerations for Environmental Voluntary Self-Disclosures
By: Gregory F. Linsin and Holli B. Packer
The Department of Justice (“DOJ” or the “Department”) released its new Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (“CEP”) on March 10, 2026, establishing, for the first time, a single, comprehensive framework governing all corporate criminal matters handled by the Department, with the exception of antitrust offenses. While the CEP shares similarities with prior division-specific DOJ policies, a comparison to the previous Environmental Crimes Section’s Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy reveals notable differences that maritime industry personnel should understand. As this policy landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders will need to monitor how these differences play out in practice before drawing conclusions about the new policy’s practical impact. Read More »
Navigating U.S. Arrival: A Guide for Vessels on Port Entry and Inspections on Arrival
By: Luke M. Reid, Jeanne M. Grasso, Matthew J. Thomas, and Holli B. Packer
When a vessel arrives in a U.S. port, its owners, operators, and crew face a complex regulatory environment. The United States presents challenges for vessels because U.S. federal laws and regulations, and in some cases state-level requirements, are often different than laws and regulations applied in other jurisdictions around the world. In this regard, the United States has many regulatory requirements that go beyond what is contained in the international conventions applicable to international shipping. Understanding these U.S.-specific regulations requires careful preparation to help ensure strict compliance. Read More »
Reconnaissance as Legal Due Diligence: Lessons from Land to Sea
By: G. Evan Spencer and Paige F. Wahoff
In the Army, you are taught that uncertainty is best confronted with discipline, purpose, and established processes. Reconnaissance is traditionally understood as a military activity aimed at reducing uncertainty, shaping decision-making, and enabling freedom of action. It is a purpose-driven activity, tightly calibrated to answer mission-critical questions and shape action in complex, contested, and often austere environments. This doctrine also has potent legal resonance in the maritime industry, which wrestles with overlapping regulatory regimes, dynamic risk landscapes, and heightened enforcement scrutiny. Read More »
Spotlight on …
Get to know Blank Rome Maritime team members Thomas H. Belknap, Jr., Neil P. McMillan, and Alan M. Weigel. Read More »
NEWS & RANKINGS
Blank Rome Recognized in China Business Law Journal’s 2025 Deals of the Year
Blank Rome has been recognized in China Business Law Journal’s 2025 Deals of the Year in the International Trade Investigations category. The firm was honored for its work advising on U.S. sanctions de‑listing matters. In July 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury formally and unconditionally removed the vessel MV Xuan Ning, owned by Jinghan Shipping, from the Specially Designated Nationals list. The Blank Rome team was led by partners Matthew J. Thomas and Victoria Ortega. 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 also recognized in Shipping: Litigation for his industry knowledge and leading practices. Read More >>
Blank Rome Highly Ranked in Best Lawyers® 2026 Edition of “Best Law Firms”
Blank Rome was ranked nationally in 28 practice areas and regionally in 100 practice areas in the 2026 edition of “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers®. The firm was ranked Tier 1 nationally in Admiralty and Maritime Law, as well as Tier One regionally in Houston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Read More >>
Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Best Lawyers in America®
Blank Rome was recognized in the 2026 Best Lawyers in America survey, which ranked 235 firm attorneys in the annual categories of “Lawyers of the Year,” “Ones to Watch,” and “Best Lawyers” in 60 practice groups across 14 regions. Partners Keith B. Letourneau and Thomas H. Belknap, Jr., were recognized in the “Lawyers of the Year” category for Admiralty and Maritime Law in Houston and New York City, respectively. Additionally, 14 Maritime attorneys were recognized as “Best Lawyers.” Read More >>
Blank Rome Obtains Key Court Ruling Protecting Synergy Maritime’s Right to Seek Limitation of Liability in Respect of Dali / Key Bridge Incident
A Blank Rome team represents Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, owner and manager respectively, of the M/V Dali, which allided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024. Read More >>
Blank Rome Successfully Represents Three Fifty Markets in a Maritime Lien Dispute
A Blank Rome team represented Three Fifty Markets, Ltd. in a maritime lien dispute against the M/V Argos M for unpaid bunker fuel supplied to the vessel. Read More >>
Trump Administration Resource Hub
We invite you to visit our Trump Administration Resource Hub to explore our thought leadership provided by a 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 International Trade Report
The April 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.
The BR Investigations and Enforcement Forum
Welcome to the inaugural issue of The BR Investigations and Enforcement Forum (“B.R.I.E.F.”), 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. Click here to read it.
Appellate Insights: Winning on Appeal
We are pleased to share the latest issue of Blank Rome Appellate Insights: Winning on Appeal, a 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, please click here.
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.