A 34-year-old passenger was taken into custody after his cruise ship returned to PortMiami Saturday, accused of raping an 18-year-old who he had met in one of the ship’s bars hours earlier. The passenger, Cody Gray, now faces criminal charges
Jeanne M. Grasso and Holli B. Packer ● The International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) Marine Environmental Protection Committee (“MEPC”) held its 84th session (“MEPC 84”) in London from April 27 to May 1, 2026. The session concluded with a commitment to rebuild
Dana S. Merkel, Alan M. Weigel, and Vanessa C. DiDomenico ● The International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) formally adopted the International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (“MASS Code” or the “Code”) on May 22, 2026, marking a significant regulatory
Noe S. Hamra and Thomas H. Belknap Jr. ● Introduction In April 2022, we published an article titled “Carriage of Cargo on Deck: Carriers Be Aware,” in which we discussed the legal risks carriers face when transporting cargo on deck under
Thomas H. Belknap Jr. and William R. Bennett III ● Blank Rome’s maritime attorneys have been retained in the wake of many tragic maritime casualties that have resulted in the catastrophic loss of life, significant personal injury, damage to the environment,
John D. Kimball and Noe S. Hamra ● A recent consolidated arbitration conducted under the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. (“SMA”) highlights several advantages of SMA arbitration for maritime and transportation disputes. The case is The M/V Della, SMA
A 58 year old Minnesota man died from complications he suffered from a spinal injury aboard Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess. The man, Stephen “Steve” Junker, was celebrating his son’s wedding when the tragedy occurred.
On August 16, Junker suffered a
Emergency response to a hurricane or other maritime disaster cannot be an afterthought. Effective response requires deliberate planning before an incident occurs, followed by coordinated, strategic action afterward. For individuals and businesses alike, piecing things back together after a marine
On 1 July 2026, the IMO’s non-mandatory International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships took effect. The Code provides guidelines for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS), or ships that, to various extents, operate independently of direct human control
