Admiralty & Maritime Law
Excellence in Bangladesh
TRW Admiralty Law is Bangladesh's leading maritime and admiralty law practice with over 30 specialist lawyers and master mariners providing comprehensive legal services for ship arrest, maritime crisis management, collisions, pollution, bunker disputes, and sanctions compliance.
Admiralty and Crisis Management Excellence
Tahmidur Remura Wahid is a law firm with a reputation worldwide for excellence and innovation. We aim to deliver a practical and commercial response to the legal requirements of business throughout the world. The Admiralty and Crisis Management group has a physical presence in offices across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The team offers substantial international experience having assisted in matters and cases throughout the world.
Largest Specialist Marine Casualty Group
The Admiralty and Crisis Management group, the largest specialist marine casualty group in the world, is serviced by over 30 lawyers and master mariners based in offices across the globe. Our clients include ship owners, P&I clubs, banks, international agencies, shipyards, charterers, insurance underwriters, salvage companies, governments, and brokers.
24/7 Emergency Response
Our team of experienced casualty response lawyers and master mariners travel on demand, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, worldwide. Our global network can be on location within 24 hours practically anywhere in the world.
Strength in Depth
The Admiralty and Crisis Management group works closely with our wider practice and sector groups to deliver to clients comprehensive technical and legal support when and where required. We deliver the strength and depth necessary to support our clients on the most urgent, challenging, and complex matters.
Comprehensive Maritime Legal Services
Ship Arrest in Bangladesh
Expert legal services for ship arrest under the Bangladesh Admiralty Court Act, 2000 (BACA) and the Bangladesh Admiralty Rules, 1912 (BAR). The Admiralty Court of Bangladesh has been constituted as an original jurisdiction of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
- Action in personam and in rem claims
- Associated ship arrest proceedings
- Maritime lien enforcement
- Arrest petition drafting and filing
- Security arrangements and ship release
- Admiralty Court representation
Maritime Crisis Management
Our team advises on the full range of legal issues that arise from marine and offshore emergencies such as collisions, groundings, pollution, fire and explosions, salvage, wreck removal, environmental and regulatory challenges, and towage as well as maritime security and piracy.
- 24/7 emergency response worldwide
- Collisions and groundings
- Fire and explosions
- Salvage operations and wreck removal
- Environmental and regulatory challenges
- Maritime security and piracy response
Ship Collision Legal Services
TRW has advised on many major collision incidents in recent years and has access to the latest technology to assist with investigating potential navigational or mechanical faults with a view to establishing liability. Our global network of casualty investigators means that we can respond to collisions and get on location practically anywhere in the world within 24 hours.
- Navigational fault investigation
- Limitation of liability proceedings
- Jurisdictional disputes resolution
- Pollution intervention and cleanup
- Salvage and wreck removal coordination
- Quantum claims assessment and recovery
Maritime Pollution Law
TRW has extensive experience advising owners, charterers, government agencies, banks, and cargo owners in relation to potential civil and criminal ship-source and land-based oil pollution liability in a wide range of jurisdictions.
- Oil spill liability assessment
- CLC and Fund Convention claims
- STOPIA compliance and operations
- Environmental regulatory challenges
- Cleanup and removal coordination
- IOPC Fund recourse actions
Bunker Disputes & IMO 2020 Compliance
Comprehensive legal services for bunker supply disputes, IMO 2020 sulphur cap compliance, scrubber technology issues, and fuel price differentials. Expert guidance on BIMCO clauses and contractual arrangements for the fuel transition.
- IMO 2020 compliance advisory
- Scrubber technology legal issues
- BIMCO clause implementation
- Fuel price differential disputes
- Bunker supply contract review
- Seaworthiness and delivery issues
Sanctions Compliance
Expert guidance on maritime sanctions compliance including US, UK, EU, and UN sanctions regimes. Comprehensive support for navigating the complex and evolving sanctions landscape affecting the shipping industry.
- US OFAC sanctions compliance
- UK SAMLA regime advisory
- EU sanctions implementation
- Secondary sanctions navigation
- Due diligence procedures
- Contractual risk management
Ship Arrest and Maritime Litigation
Ship Arrest in Bangladesh
Arrest of ships in Bangladesh is regulated under the Bangladesh Admiralty Court Act, 2000 (BACA) and the Bangladesh Admiralty Rules, 1912 (BAR). The Admiralty Court of Bangladesh has been constituted as an original jurisdiction of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
BACA permits the arrest of ships against both in personam and in rem claims. To arrest a ship, an arrest petition is necessary to be filed with the Court under affidavit from the petitioner. Upon admission of the admiralty suit, the Court tries the admiralty matter as per the procedure outlined by the Bangladesh Code of Civil Procedure.
Grounds for Ship Arrest
- Any claim to the possession or ownership of a ship or to the ownership of any share therein
- Any question arising between the co-owners of a ship
- Any claim in respect of a mortgage of or charge on a ship or any share therein
- Any claim for damage done by a ship or damage received by a ship
- Any claim for loss of life or personal injury sustained in consequence of any defect in a ship
- Any claim for loss or damage to goods carried in a ship
- Any claim arising out of any agreement relating to the carriage of goods or use or hire of a ship
- Any claim in respect of towage, pilotage, goods or materials supplied to a ship
- Any claim in respect of construction, repair or equipment of a ship or dock charges
- Any claim for wages by a master or member of the crew of a ship
Associated Ship Arrest
Bangladesh has incorporated certain aspects of the Arrest Convention 1952 into its legislation, including provision for the arrest of "associated ships" (lifting the corporate veil). An action in rem may be brought by the arrest of an associated ship instead of the ship in respect of which the maritime claim arose.
Definition of Associated Ship
A ship, other than the ship in respect of which the maritime claim arose, which is either:
- Owned, at the time when the action is commenced, by the person who was the owner of the ship concerned at the time when the maritime claim arose
- Owned, at the time when the action is commenced, by a person who controlled the company which owned the ship concerned when the maritime claim arose
- Owned, at the time when the action is commenced, by a company which is controlled by a person who owned the ship concerned when the maritime claim arose
Methods of Instituting Proceedings
Action in personam: Analogous to parochial Court procedure where a plaintiff has a claim against a person.
Action in rem: Maritime claim may be enforced by an action in rem if the plaintiff has a maritime lien over the property.
Attachments: Actions can be commenced by way of an attachment to found or confirm jurisdiction.
Major Collision Cases
TRW has advised on many major collision incidents in recent years. Our global network of casualty investigators means that we can respond to collisions and get on location practically anywhere in the world within 24 hours. Our team aims to be onboard before any local authorities, other interested parties, or the media are involved.
"SANCHI" c/w "CF CRYSTAL" (2018)
Collision in the East China Sea resulting in the sinking of a fully laden tanker and loss of life. TRW provided comprehensive legal support for liability investigation, salvage coordination, and pollution response.
"AL ORAIQ" c/w "FLINTERSTAR"
Collision with a fully laden LNG carrier and a general cargo vessel off Antwerp. Complex multi-jurisdictional case involving significant cargo and vessel damage claims.
"DAWN KANCHIPURAM" c/w "BW MAPLE" (2016)
Collision off India resulting in widespread pollution. TRW advised on pollution liability, cleanup operations, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
"APL DENVER" c/w "WAN HAI 301"
Collision off Malaysia resulting in cross-border pollution. TRW coordinated legal response across multiple jurisdictions and advised on international pollution conventions.
"AVIATO" c/w "ATLANTIC GRACE" (2021)
Collision in the Gulf of Kutch on 27 November 2021. Salvage services were provided under Lloyd's Open Form salvage agreement (LOF). TRW advised on salvage rights and liability issues.
"CHARLTON" c/w "RICH FUTURE" (2016)
Collision in the Inner Plate resulting in substantial damage to both vessels. TRW provided comprehensive legal support for damage assessment and liability determination.
Recent Maritime Developments
China Special Port Fees on US-Linked Vessels
On 10 October 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Transport announced that it would impose special port fees against vessels with a US nexus calling at Chinese ports. These were adopted in response to the fees and trade restrictions introduced by the United States Trade Representative earlier this year targeting China-linked vessels.
Scope of Application
The Special Port Fees are levied on five categories of vessels:
- Vessels owned by US enterprises, organisations and individuals
- Vessels operated by US enterprises, organisations and individuals
- Vessels owned or operated by enterprises in which US entities hold at least 25% equity interest
- US-flagged vessels
- US-built vessels
Applicable Rates
The fee starts at RMB 400 per net ton and increases progressively:
- 14 October 2025: RMB 400
- 17 April 2026: RMB 640
- 17 April 2027: RMB 880
- 17 April 2028: RMB 1120
Offshore Wind Collisions
Offshore wind installations present unique challenges for maritime navigation and collision risk. TRW advises on the costly claims and legal complexity that arise from collisions involving offshore wind farms, including issues of liability, insurance coverage, and the application of maritime law to these relatively new structures.
IMO Net-Zero Framework
The International Maritime Organization's proposed "Net-Zero Framework" has been postponed following a failed vote. This framework was intended to establish a comprehensive approach to achieving net-zero emissions in the maritime industry. TRW continues to advise clients on environmental compliance and the evolving regulatory landscape.
SHIP25 Standard Form Contract
SHIP25 is a new standard form shipbuilding contract developed to address the needs of modern shipbuilding in a new era. The contract provides a balanced framework for both shipbuilders and buyers, incorporating lessons learned from previous standard forms and addressing contemporary issues in the shipbuilding industry.
Contact TRW Admiralty Law
For urgent maritime matters, our team is available 24/7. Contact us for expert admiralty and maritime legal services.
Head Office
House 410, Road 29
Mohakhali DOHS
Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh