G. Evan Spencer and Paige F. Wahoff ● Prior to joining Blank Rome, CPT (Ret.) Paige Wahoff served as a U.S. Army Armor Officer and Judge Advocate, holding a range of Cavalry leadership and staff positions. Her assignments included Scout Platoon
Safe Passage
Safe Passage, published by Blank Rome, focuses on legal issues related to the maritime and shipping industries. The blog covers topics such as maritime environmental regulations, personal injury litigation under the Jones Act, liability for ocean freight, arbitration enforcement in maritime disputes, and contractual indemnity arrangements in offshore energy projects including wind and oil. It addresses regulatory developments, litigation trends, and contractual matters affecting shipping companies, seamen, consignees, and offshore project stakeholders. The content is aimed at legal professionals and industry participants navigating the complex legal landscape of maritime commerce and offshore energy.
Latest from Safe Passage - Page 2
One-Way Ratchet and a Different Kind of Pastry: Trump Tariffs at the Supreme Court
Keith B. Letourneau ● On November 5, 2025, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in the consolidated tariff cases. This article addresses a few notable points made during the argument and examines the underpinnings of each. On balance, it appears the…
White House Announces Multiple Trade Deals Following President Trump’s Tour of Asia
Timothy J. Hruby, Alan G. Kashdan, Christopher A. Kimura, and Rachel D. Evans ● In late October 2025, President Donald Trump embarked on a weeklong tour of Asia and returned having secured a temporary truce in the U.S.-China trade war, and a number of…
The Limitation Act in the United States: A Deeper Look
Thomas H. Belknap Jr., Emma C. Jones, and G. Evan Spencer ● This article follows on a 2021 MAINBRACE article, “The Gateway to Federal Court: Admiralty Jurisdiction and Limitation of Liability,” which discussed the practical use of the Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability Act,…
The Casualty Occurred, Now What? Preserve the Evidence!
Noe S. Hamra and Neil P. McMillan ● After a marine casualty occurs, there will be many immediate actions for the relevant parties, including the vessel’s owner, manager, insurers, and counsel (“vessel interests”), to handle. Every incident has its own unique…
IMO Net Zero Shipping Framework: Extraordinary IMO Session Adjourned; Work Continues
Jeanne M. Grasso, Holli B. Packer, and Vanessa C. DiDomenico ● From October 14 to 17, 2025, the International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) Marine Environment Protection Committee (“MEPC”) held an extraordinary session to consider the adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI,…
IMO Net-Zero Shipping Framework: A Crossroads for Global Shipping Regulations
Jeanne M. Grasso and Holli B. Packer ● Introduction: A New Era for Maritime Decarbonization The International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) Marine Environment Protection Committee approved a sweeping package of draft regulations known as the “IMO Net-Zero Shipping Framework” (the “Framework”) in…
The Rise of Nuclear Verdicts for Jones Act Seamen: Transforming Maritime Personal Injury Litigation
William R. Bennett III and Holli B. Packer ● Introduction The maritime industry, long governed by a unique set of laws and traditions, is facing a new and formidable challenge: the rise of “nuclear verdicts” in personal injury cases, particularly those…
Whose Freight Is It Anyway? Consignee Liability for Unpaid Ocean Freight
Zachary R. Cain ● A shipment of jet fuel travels from Singapore to California, where you, the consignee-owner, happily take possession of your cargo.[1] You had purchased the fuel on Cost and Freight (“CFR”) terms,[2] so once the fuel is offloaded from the…
Service of Process in Arbitration Enforcement Actions
G. Evan Spencer and Noe S. Hamra ● Maritime disputes often find their way to arbitration. Whether the arbitrations are sited in the United States or another country, collection of arbitration awards frequently requires that the prevailing party initiate a…