Shipping

Ilyashev & Partners is one of Ukraine’s leading law firms in maritime law, shipping, port operations, and international transportation. The team has extensive experience in handling complex cross-border disputes and advising shipowners, charterers, carriers, P&I Clubs, shipping agents, cargo owners, logistics operators, insurance companies, and port operators.

The practice covers the full spectrum of legal services in the maritime and inland waterways sectors, ranging from support for shipping companies’ commercial operations to the resolution of complex disputes before Ukrainian courts, foreign courts, and international arbitration tribunals. The firm’s lawyers have substantial experience in matters involving vessel arrests, maritime claims, cargo damage, marine pollution, vessel detention and delays, marine casualties, insurance claims, and the performance of international contracts for sea carriage.

Ilyashev & Partners represents major international shipowners, cargo carriers, and members of international Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs that insure a significant portion of the world’s merchant fleet. The team regularly handles matters involving the arrest and release of vessels in Ukrainian and foreign ports, cargo detention, disputes concerning freight and demurrage, marine insurance, carrier liability, and recovery of damages.

One of the key areas of the practice is advising on disputes arising from war-related risks, port blockades, restrictions on navigation, and disruptions to logistics chains in the Black Sea region. The firm has extensive experience advising on vessel loss resulting from military actions, cargo damage, mine-related risks, insurance disputes, compensation claims, and the application of special state compensation mechanisms within the maritime sector.

The team also represents clients in international arbitration proceedings involving maritime transportation, disputes concerning bills of lading, charterparty agreements, carrier liability, cargo damage and loss, as well as disputes between shipowners, insurers, cargo owners, and port operators. The firm’s substantial expertise in criminal law and international dispute resolution enables it to effectively protect clients’ interests in matters involving environmental incidents, vessel arrests, actions by law enforcement authorities, and claims brought by governmental bodies.

A separate area of the practice focuses on advising crewing companies, shipowners, and seafarers on employment matters, including the preparation of employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, crew insurance arrangements, compensation claims arising from injury or death of seafarers, and representation in employment and insurance disputes.

Ilyashev & Partners also prepares legal opinions on Ukrainian maritime law for use in foreign court proceedings, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States, and advises international clients on the application of Ukrainian legislation governing shipping, port operations, sanctions restrictions, and international trade.