Bangladesh is a maritime country with 710 KM of coastline at the vertex of the Bay of Bengal. It has two major seaports largest, and busiest one is in Chittagong and the other port is in Mongla at Khulna. Another port named Paira in Potuakhali District is under construction. Besides, a deep sea port named Matarbari Port is under construction for importing coal required for the power plant, which will include a 760m-long container and a multi-purpose terminal. The admiralty court is located in the High Court in Dhaka. All maritime and admiralty-related claims and proceedings are brought before the Admiralty court. Due to several factors like weather conditions, conditions at the port, navigation error, pilotage, etc collision does occur and such cases are not very uncommon in Admiralty court. Similarly, ownership disputes for local seagoing and non-sea going vessels are required to be brought before this court and the same are a regular item of this court. Foreign and local bunker suppliers, crews and mortgagee banks often invoke this jurisdiction for recovering their dues by arresting the vessels lying in Bangladesh territory. Involvement of International P&I Clubs and local and foreign Banks is a common affair as without their undertaking or bank guarantee respectively, the release of the ship cannot be insured. Claims arising from the carriage of goods, Shortfall of Cargo, Cargo damage, dead freight failure to pay freight and hire, etc are nowadays common items as litigants are now more concerned with their rights. Action in rem for charter party claims for sub-freight on cargo lien can also be brought in limited cases depending on the arbitration clause.  

Join the event to enhance your knowledge and make yourself aware of the current legal issues.

Barrister-at-Law, LL.M.(International Dispute Resolution) (London) 

PGDipLaw(Maritime), PGCertLaw(Commercial & Corporate), FHKIArb, MSIArb

Member, ICC Commission on Arbitration & ADR, Paris

Panel Arbitrator, SCIA & SARCO, Member, NYSBA, SCMA

CEDR Accredited Mediator, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh.