Urgent Arrest
Arrest applications prepared and filed quickly, because the window while a vessel is in port is measured in days.
Shipping disputes move quickly and the asset moves with them. A vessel that is berthed today may be outside the jurisdiction next week, which is why maritime work is as much about arrest and security as it is about the eventual award.
Dubai Legal Expert handles maritime and shipping arbitration in the UAE, covering charterparty claims, cargo damage, bunker supply, demurrage, ship sale and towage disputes, alongside urgent vessel arrest applications.
Most shipping contracts contain arbitration clauses, frequently naming a foreign seat and English law. Where a Dubai seat applies, arbitrations are administered by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre following the consolidation of Dubai arbitration institutions.
Alongside the arbitration itself, the critical early step is security. Vessel arrest and other precautionary measures through the UAE courts secure the claim while the arbitration proceeds, and are frequently what makes the eventual award worth having.
Contact UsHire, off hire, demurrage, laytime, speed and performance and unsafe port claims under time and voyage charters.
Damage, shortage, contamination and misdelivery claims involving bills of lading, carriers and cargo interests.
Urgent arrest applications and other precautionary measures in UAE ports to secure a claim before assets leave.
Claims over bunker quality, quantity and unpaid supply, including claims against owners and charterers.
Disputes under memoranda of agreement, shipbuilding contracts, delivery and specification claims.
Arrest applications prepared and filed quickly, because the window while a vessel is in port is measured in days.
Close reading of the charterparty, bills of lading and fixture recap to establish liability and the correct parties.
Coordination with the arbitration seat and foreign counsel where the clause names London or another forum.
Detailed statement of facts and laytime calculations, which decide most demurrage disputes.
Surveyor, engineering and bunker analysis evidence arranged and coordinated for the tribunal.
Security obtained through arrest or guarantees so the award converts into actual recovery.
In shipping, a strong claim against a single ship company with no other assets in the jurisdiction is worth very little without security. Owners restructure, vessels are sold, and by the time an award is issued there is nothing left to enforce against.
Our first question in every maritime instruction is therefore whether the vessel or another asset is within reach, and whether an arrest or precautionary attachment can be mounted immediately. The merits work follows the security work, not the other way around.
Secure the claim first, then run the arbitration properly.
We review the fixture, charterparty and bills immediately to identify the claim, the correct defendant and any arrest opportunity.
Vessel arrest or precautionary measures are applied for, or security is negotiated in the form of a guarantee.
The arbitration clause is analysed to confirm the seat, rules and applicable law, with foreign counsel engaged where required.
The arbitration is commenced and the claim submissions prepared with technical and calculation evidence.
Representation at the hearing, including examination of surveyors and technical experts.
The award is enforced against the security obtained, or through ratification and execution in the UAE.
The arrest was in place before the vessel sailed. Security was posted within a week and the arbitration settled shortly afterwards.
They coordinated with our London counsel on the arbitration while handling the UAE security. Nothing fell between the two jurisdictions.
Dubai seated maritime arbitrations are administered by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre following the consolidation of Dubai arbitration institutions. Many shipping contracts instead name a foreign seat such as London.
Yes. UAE law provides for vessel arrest as a precautionary measure to secure a maritime claim, subject to the statutory grounds and procedure.
Applications can move very quickly where the documents are ready, which is why early instruction matters while the vessel is still in port.
No. Arrest secures the claim while the arbitration proceeds in the agreed forum, and the security remains available to satisfy the award.
A claim for compensation where the charterer exceeds the agreed laytime for loading or discharging, calculated from the statement of facts and the charterparty terms.
Yes. The UAE is a party to the New York Convention and foreign awards are enforceable subject to the recognition procedure and limited grounds of refusal.
If a vessel is in a UAE port, contact us immediately. The first consultation is free and we can act on arrest applications urgently.
Office No. 9C, 9th Floor, Dubai Creek Tower, Next to Land Department, Deira, Dubai, UAE
Dubai Legal Experts provides trusted legal advocacy across the UAE with experienced lawyers and clear legal guidance.