Legal Advisor - Shipping & Maritime

About This Role

Legal Advisor with strong expertise in UAE maritime and shipping law to provide legal guidance, support and advisory services on all shipping, maritime, offshore matters, ensuring compliance with applicable international conventions, local regulations, contractual obligations, company’s vessel operations, port operations, marine insurance, vessel registration, chartering, regulatory compliance, financing, and dispute management activities while protecting the Company’s commercial and operational interest.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with shipping companies, maritime logistics operators, port authorities, or marine-focused law firms within the UAE.

Key Responsibilities

1. Maritime Contracts & Commercial Operations

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of maritime contracts, including:
• Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for sale & purchase of vessels
• Charterparties (time, voyage, bareboat)
• Bills of lading
• Ship management agreements
• Shipbuilding and repair contracts
• Agency and port services agreements
• Advise on cargo claims, demurrage disputes, off-hire issues, and performance claims.
• Support commercial negotiations with charterers, operators, and freight forwarders.

2. Regulatory & Compliance (UAE & International)

• Ensure compliance with UAE Maritime Law and international maritime conventions.
• Liaise with relevant authorities including:
• UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
• Dubai Maritime Authority
• Federal Transport Authority
• Advise on vessel registration, flagging, and licensing requirements.
• Ensure compliance with:
• IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW)
• UAE port regulations
• Sanctions regimes and international trade restrictions
• UAE AML/CFT regulations (where applicable)

3. Vessel Acquisition, Sale & Financing

• Lead legal due diligence for vessel acquisitions and disposals.
• Draft and negotiate:
• Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) for vessel sale/purchase
• Shipbuilding contracts
• Loan and mortgage agreements
• Security documentation (vessel mortgages, assignments of earnings & insurances)
• Liaise with UAE and international banks on shipping finance transactions.

4. Insurance & Claims Management

• Advise on marine insurance policies (H&M, P&I, cargo insurance).
• Manage casualty incidents, collisions, salvage, and general average claims.
• Coordinate with P&I Clubs, surveyors, and external maritime counsel.

5. Risk Management

• Identify legal and operational risks related to:

a. High-risk areas/war risks

b. Sanctions exposure

c. Insurance coverage (including P&I)

• Provide legal opinions and mitigation strategies

6. Corporate & Transaction Support

• Support vessel sale & purchase transactions including:

a. Due diligence

b. Documentation review

c. Closing Procedure

• Advise on corporate structuring of shipping entities

7. Internal Stakeholder Support:

• Provide legal advice to:

a. Technical, commercial and operations teams

b. Finance (insurance, COFR, banking matters**)**

• Assist in internal investigation and compliance matters.

8. Dispute Resolution

• Handle shipping-related disputes including charterparty disputes and cargo claims.
• Coordinate arbitration proceedings (e.g., LMAA or regional forums).
• Develop risk mitigation frameworks for vessel operations and trade routes.
• Manage external litigation and arbitration counsel within budget.
• Collision, salvage and pollution claims

Qualifications

• LLB (LLM in Maritime Law preferred).
• Qualified lawyer (UAE or common law jurisdiction preferred).
• 6–12 years of post-qualification experience in maritime/shipping law.
• Experience with shipping companies, marine insurers, port operators, or international maritime law firms.

Core Competencies

• Strong knowledge of UAE Maritime Law and international conventions.
• Expertise in charterparty negotiation and vessel financing structures.
• Commercial acumen in shipping operations and freight markets.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage high-value, cross-border disputes.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person