Maritime activity in the United States is heavily regulated. It is overseen by numerous federal agencies and governed by a legal regime that is neither simple nor intuitive. Businesses with maritime-related operations require sophisticated maritime counsel. Cozen O’Connor has one of the largest, oldest, and most renowned maritime regulatory practices in the country.
Attorneys at Cozen O’Connor represent major global and U.S. liner, roro, bulker, and tanker carriers and shipowners; ocean carrier alliances, pools, and vessel sharing agreements; equipment pools ocean carrier associations; international and domestic cruise lines; marine terminal operators; offshore energy operators; entities involved in ownership and installation of offshore wind turbines and other marine construction projects; ocean transportation intermediaries; and dredging, towage, and other industrial vessel operators.
We counsel clients on all regulations enforced by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), including discussion agreements; vessel sharing agreements; tariffs and service contracts; and niche or specialty agreements. Cozen O’Connor’s team has drafted and finalized more liner service contracts and carrier agreements than any other maritime firm group in the United States.
The firm’s regulatory attorneys also advise clients on the flagging or reflagging of vessels according to the maritime laws of the U.S., the Republic of Vanuatu, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Liberia. We help clients comply with a litany of other U.S. maritime laws (e.g., Jones Act, Towing and Salvage Statute, Dredging Statute, Passenger Vessel Services Act, and American Fisheries Act) and the requirements of various maritime promotional programs (e.g., cargo preference programs and the Maritime Security Program). We also provide clear guidance on environmental and offshore energy regulations, sanctions, and embargos.
Cozen O’Connor attorneys, many of whom have been practicing in the maritime field for 30 or more years, have earned a reputation for excellence among top regulators in Washington, D.C., including those at the FMC, Maritime Administration, Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Military Sealift Command, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, and Department of Homeland Security.
In the maritime arena, U.S. regulators often oversee the conduct of international transportation companies. Our attorneys have deep experience representing international clients and helping clientele based both in the U.S. and overseas understand extra-territorial maritime and competition law requirements. We frequently assist clients dealing with foreign governments on issues relating to regulatory compliance and reform.
Most important to our maritime clients, Cozen O’Connor attorneys don’t just understand the regulations — we understand their businesses. From commercial operations to diverse trade routes, we have deep knowledge of all aspects of the maritime industry. This allows us to provide regulatory advice that is sophisticated and practical.
Members of our team have directly shaped U.S. maritime law. They have testified before Congress on legislative reforms and served on U.S. delegations to negotiate and implement bilateral and international transportation and security agreements. Cozen O’Connor’s maritime regulatory practice has been recognized as Tier 1 by Chambers and Partners. Individual members of the group have also been recognized by Chambers as industry leaders. U.S. News – Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as “Law Firm of the Year” in Admiralty & Maritime Law. The Legal 500 United States has recognized the practice group as a Top Tier Firm for Transport: Shipping. The maritime group includes the chairman of the ABA International Law Section International Transportation Committee and several past presidents of the Maritime Administrative Bar Association.