In California’s bustling maritime sector, the specter of cyber threats looms large, even if you may not know it. Cybersecurity poses significant risks to operations, trade and data integrity. With a surge in attacks targeting vital maritime infrastructure, from navigation systems to cargo security, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more pressing. Regulatory bodies Regulatory bodies like the International Maritime Organization have underscored the urgency of integrating cybersecurity into safety protocols. They highlight the imperative for compliance to protect the flow ..read more

Maritime license agreements are essential components of international trade, governing the relationships and terms between shipping companies, terminal operators and other parties involved in the maritime industry. These agreements ensure a competitive and reliable ocean transportation supply system, crucial for the global economy. What are maritime license agreements? Maritime license agreements are contracts that outline the terms and conditions under which shipping services are provided. They cover various activities, such as vessel sharing arrangements, terminal operations and fee discussi ..read more

If you’ve been in business for a while, then you know that you need to be careful when you negotiate and sign off on business contracts. A seemingly minor mistake in the process can lead to serious ramifications for you and your business, including lost revenues and damage to your reputation. The same holds true if you’ve been accused of breaching a contract. So, if you’ve been accused of failing to adhere to the terms of a contract, then you need to know how to properly defend yourself. Defense strategies when facing breach of contract allegations The specific defense that you implement in yo ..read more

While California ports have had their share of problems in recent years, including labor disputes and shipping bottlenecks, a major port on the East Coast has been rocked by allegations of unfair competition. The Port of Philadelphia has expanded in recent years, and business is booming. However, a group of trucking companies claims that state officials have given preferential treatment to one company, Holt Logistics, allowing it to prevent other businesses from gaining a greater foothold in the market. Pennsylvania has spent hundreds of millions of dollars building new infrastructure for the ..read more

When you’re injured on a vessel in navigable waters, then you might qualify for benefits under the Jones Act. However, unless you can prove negligence, the compensation that you recover pursuant to this law are limited in scope. Practically speaking, you’ll only be able to recover money for maintenance and cure, which only help cover your medical expenses and your day-to-day living expenses. If you can prove that your employer was negligent, though, then you open the possibility of recovering additional damages. In those instances, you need to think about taking additional maritime personal in ..read more

A Limited Liability Company, or LLC, is one of several types of a business structures available to business owners who are just starting out. An LLC has several advantages, included liability protection for business owners and pass-through taxation. If you have chosen to make your business an LLC in California, there are several steps you must take. One of the main steps of the process involves filing the articles of organization for your LLC with the Secretary of State’s office. What information should be included? The purpose of articles of organization is to provide information about your b ..read more

Ships carrying cargo sometimes collide with other ships for various reasons. Sometimes determining responsibility for the collision can be difficult or impossible. When two ships collide, either one or both were likely negligent. Rather than go through the complicated process of determining or apportioning liability, carriers can include a both-to-blame collision clause in their marine insurance policy. Marine insurance policies are a necessity in today’s maritime industry These policies provide coverage to vessels for losses sustained from collisions, sinking, being stranded, fire, piracy or ..read more

If you are thinking about opening a business, it’s important to consider which type of structure might be the best fit for you. Business entity choices There are four general business structures, called a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability company (LLC), and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is usually simple to set up and there are few formalities involved. It means you run the business on your own and you also have personal liability for the business. With a partnership, you share the ownership with another person. You share the business profits and liabilities. An LL ..read more

California ports, people who work there and businesses that rely on them have been experiencing ups and downs in recent years. From the health crisis to labor disagreements to the latest issue with foreign policy obstacles, it can be difficult to predict shipping volume and everything that accompanies it. However, importers are increasingly using these ports to conduct business. While this is undoubtedly a positive, companies still need to be cognizant of past challenges to be fully prepared when issues again arise as they inevitably do. During times of growth, it is even more essential to be ..read more

As a maritime business owner, you will likely enter into several agreements, including vessel supply contracts, employment agreements, and charter agreements. All parties who sign the contract have a legal obligation to uphold the terms of the agreement. Failing to comply with these terms is considered a breach of contract. Some breaches of contract are considered minor, whereas others are seen as more significant material breaches. Minor breaches of contract may be resolved by referring to the contract itself and save the non-breaching party the trouble of having to file a lawsuit against the ..read more