Dubai is the maritime and logistics capital of the Middle East and one of the world's most consequential nodes in global trade. Jebel Ali Port is the world's 9th busiest container port, handling over 15 million TEUs annually. Fujairah is the world's 2nd largest bunkering hub. Dubai International Airport is the world's 3rd largest international air cargo hub. And Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is the world's largest aircraft lessor by fleet value. Behind every one of these statistics is a complex web of maritime contracts, regulatory obligations, cargo claims, insurance arrangements, and when things go wrong, legal disputes that require immediate, expert action.
The UAE's maritime legal regulations was fundamentally overhauled with Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023 (the New UAE Maritime Law, effective 29 March 2024), replacing Federal Law No. 26 of 1981 after 43 years. The new law expanded the list of qualifying maritime debts (aligned with the 1999 Arrest of Ships Convention), introduced mandatory claimant countersecurity, permitted P&I Club Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to lift vessel arrests for the first time in UAE history, established limitation fund provisions, and compressed the claim validity filing period to 5 working days. This is the most significant maritime law reform in UAE history and every shipowner, charterer, cargo interest, and P&I club operating in UAE waters must understand its implications.
At Al Adl Legal Consultants, listed in Forbes and based in Dubai's Business Bay, our shipping, aviation, and logistics lawyers provide full-service representation across all sectors of UAE maritime law from urgent ship arrest applications filed within hours of instruction, to cargo claim recovery, charter party arbitration, marine insurance disputes, aviation lease enforcement, and logistics contract advisory. As UAE Ministry of Justice licensed advocates, we conduct Arabic-language proceedings in all UAE courts and English-language proceedings in DIAC arbitration and DIFC Courts without needing to instruct separate court counsel. 85% success rate. AED 50M+ recovered.
Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023 came into force on 29 March 2024, repealing Federal Law No. 26 of 1981 on Commercial Maritime Law after 43 years. This is the single most significant reform of UAE maritime law in the country's history. Every party operating in UAE waters needs to understand the new regulation.
What Changed: Expanded Maritime Debts & Ship Arrest Grounds (Article 54)
LANDMARK REFORM: The New Maritime Law aligns UAE ship arrest law with the 1999 International Convention on Arrest of Ships, replacing the more restrictive 1952 Convention system used in the old law. The result: a significantly expanded list of 22 qualifying maritime debts, a more defined procedure for arrest and validity claims, and new charterer-debt arrest provisions.
Under the old law (1981), the grounds for arrest were derived from the narrower 1952 Arrest Convention. The new law expands qualifying maritime debts to include:
• Loss or damage caused by a vessel (cargo damage, property damage, personal injury)
• Loss of life or personal injury aboard or in connection with vessel operations
• Salvage operations and salvage remuneration
• Environmental damage caused by the vessel (oil pollution, spills)
• Wreck removal and wreck-related costs
• Port fees, channel fees, dock fees, harbour dues
• Marine insurance premiums
• Ship chartering, shipbuilding, and repair contracts
• Claims arising from a contract of sale of the vessel
• Crew repatriation costs and unpaid crew wages
• Social insurance contributions for crew members
• Bunker fuel supply claims (a significant clarification from the old law)
• Charter party debts, including arrests for charterer's debts during the bareboat charter period (new under Article 55)
Article 56 - Claimant Countersecurity: A Critical New Requirement
CRITICAL NEW REQUIREMENT: Unlike the old law, the New Maritime Law (Article 56) requires the party seeking an arrest to provide a FINANCIAL GUARANTEE before the court will grant the arrest order. This guarantee must cover the safety and security of the vessel, crew expenses, and vessel maintenance during the arrest period. The amount is treated as a judicial expense and ranks ahead of creditors in any distribution of sale proceeds. Failing to provide adequate countersecurity will result in the arrest application being rejected.
Article 56 represents a major shift from the old law, which placed the burden of countersecurity entirely on the vessel owner seeking release. Nowbothsides carry financial obligations: the arresting party must fund the vessel's upkeep and crew during the arrest period, while the shipowner must provide security to obtain release. This requirement is designed to prevent spurious arrest applications and protect vessel owners (and their crews) from unscrupulous arrests. Al Adl advises claimants on structuring adequate countersecurity arrangements before filing arrest applications, and defends shipowners against arrests where claimants have not met this requirement.
Article 57 - P&I Club Letters of Undertaking Now Accepted
GAME CHANGER: For the first time in UAE maritime history, P&I Club Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) are now accepted by UAE courts as valid security to lift a vessel arrest (Article 57). Previously, only cash deposits, bank manager's cheques, or local bank guarantees were accepted, causing weeks of delay and significant commercial losses. A P&I Club LoU can be issued in 24-48 hours, dramatically reducing the period of vessel detention.
The acceptance of P&I Club LoUs (Article 57(2)) is the most commercially significant change in the New Maritime Law for shipowners and their P&I clubs. LoUs issued by P&I Clubs or approved financial institutions are now accepted by UAE courts as security for vessel release, subject to court acceptance and the conditions to be specified in the Executive Regulations. The LoU option is NOT available where the dispute concerns vessel ownership, possession, or joint owner distribution disputes, in those cases, the arrest remains in place until a final judgment is issued.
• P&I Club LoU issued within 24-48 hours, significantly faster than local bank guarantees
• Reduces vessel detention period and associated losses (port fees, crew costs, demurrage, cargo delays)
• Aligns UAE practice with international standards, like the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Greece, which all accept P&I LoUs
• Court acceptance required as Al Adl manages the LoU acceptance process with the competent UAE court
• Executive Regulations will specify the form, amount, and institutional requirements for LoU acceptance
• NOT available for ownership/possession disputes, and arrest continues until final judgment in those cases
Article 59 - 5 Working Days to File the Claim Validity Proceeding
Article 59 of the New Maritime Law compresses the post-arrest claim filing deadline from 8 calendar days (under the old law) to 5 working days. The claimant must file the claim to validate the arrest (i.e., the substantive claim or a claim seeking to confirm the arrest) within 5 working days of the arrest order. A court hearing on this claim must be listed within 15 days of the enforcement of the arrest order. Missing the 5-working-day deadline can result in the arrest being lifted. Al Adl tracks all post-arrest filing deadlines rigorously, a critical operational requirement in any ship arrest.
The following step-by-step guide reflects the current ship arrest procedure under Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023 (effective 29 March 2024). Al Adl manages every stage on behalf of both arresting creditors and vessel owners seeking release.
Step | Stage | Detail / Al Adl Role |
1 | Pre-Arrest Assessment | Verify that the claim qualifies as a 'maritime debt' under the expanded list in Federal Decree-Law No. 43/2023. Identify the vessel's current location in UAE waters (Jebel Ali, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah). Assess the strength of the claim and the optimal timing for arrest. |
2 | Countersecurity Arrangement (NEW, Article 56) | Before filing the arrest application, the claimant must arrange a financial guarantee covering the vessel's safety, crew expenses, and maintenance during the arrest period. Al Adl advises on the appropriate form and quantum of countersecurity failure to provide adequate security results in rejection of the arrest application. |
3 | Urgent Court Application | File the arrest application with the competent UAE court (commercial court in the relevant emirate, typically Dubai or Abu Dhabi). Applications are typically heard urgently within hours or days. Courts can grant an arrest on an ex parte basis where urgency requires. |
4 | Arrest Order Granted & Enforced | The court issues the arrest order. Port authority and harbour master are notified. The vessel is detained at the port. The master receives formal notification of the arrest. Al Adl serves the arrest order and coordinates with the port authorities. |
5 | Claim Validity Filing (5 Working Days, Article 59) | Within 5 working days of the arrest order, the claimant MUST file the claim to validate the arrest (substantive claim or confirmation proceeding). Missing this deadline may result in the arrest being lifted. A court hearing must be listed within 15 days of arrest enforcement. |
6 | P&I Club / Security Negotiation (Article 57) | The shipowner or their P&I Club can offer security to obtain vessel release. Under the New Maritime Law, P&I Club LoUs are now accepted (subject to court approval). Cash deposits or bank guarantees remain alternatives. Al Adl negotiates security amounts and LoU conditions. |
7 | Vessel Release | Once agreed, security is provided and accepted by the court, the arrest order is lifted, and the vessel is released. The dispute then proceeds through the agreed forum (UAE courts or arbitration) on the merits. |
8 | Limitation Fund (if applicable) | Where a shipowner seeks to limit total liability, they can now apply to establish a limitation fund in the UAE courts under the New Maritime Law. Al Adl manages the limitation fund application process. |
Al Adl Legal provides comprehensive shipping, aviation, and logistics legal services for shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, P&I clubs, freight forwarders, aviation operators, and logistics companies across Dubai and the UAE. Our maritime lawyers are UAE Ministry of Justice licensed advocates conducting proceedings in Arabic before UAE courts and in English before DIAC and DIFC Courts.
Cargo Claims, Damage & Loss - Bill of Lading Disputes
Cargo claims for damage, loss, shortage, contamination, or delay of cargo during carriage by sea are among the most common maritime disputes in Dubai. UAE maritime law imposes a strict 1-year time bar on cargo claims from the date of delivery (or scheduled delivery). Missing this deadline extinguishes the right to claim regardless of merit. Al Adl manages the complete cargo claim lifecycle from evidence preservation at port to court proceedings and settlement.
• Cargo damage and loss claims:Pursuing compensation from carriers under Federal Decree-Law No. 43/2023 carrier liability, burden of proof, limitation of liability to 10,000 AED per package under Article 276(1) unless higher agreed
• Bill of lading disputes:Interpreting BoL terms, Himalaya clauses, charter party incorporation clauses, and straight vs negotiable bill disputes
• Letters of protest:Drafting and serving notices of protest at the port of discharge to preserve rights and notify the carrier of damage
• Marine survey coordination:Working with marine surveyors to document cargo condition, quantity shortages, and damage quantification
• Container damage claims:Claims against shipping lines for damaged, lost, or delayed containerised cargo under COGSA-equivalent provisions
• Time bar management:All cargo claim notification and filing deadlines tracked, the 1-year time bar is strictly enforced in UAE courts
Charter Party Disputes - Voyage, Time & Bareboat Charters
Charter party disputes whether voyage charter (GENCON), time charter (NYPE, BALTIME), or bareboat charter requires a precise interpretation of charter party terms against UAE law and relevant international practice. Issues of off-hire, demurrage, laytime calculations, redelivery, hire disputes, and performance claims are among the most complex maritime legal matters. Notably, under the New Maritime Law, vessels can now be arrested for charterer debts during the bareboat charter period, a significant new tool for creditors. Al Adl represents both shipowners and charterers.
• Demurrage and detention claims:calculating, pursuing, and defending demurrage claims under voyage charters, laytime, NOR, commencement, and time-counting disputes
• Off-hire disputes:advising on off-hire events, notices, deductions, and the burden of proof under time charter parties
• Hire claim recovery:pursuing unpaid charter hire, including arrest of the vessel under the expanded maritime debts provisions
• Bareboat charterer arrest (NEW):under Article 55 of the New Maritime Law, creditors can now arrest vessels for debts incurred by bareboat charterers during the charter period Al Adl advises on this new provision
• Speed and performance disputes:pursuing under-performance claims against charter party warranties
• Redelivery disputes:condition, timing, and bunker quantity disputes at redelivery
• Charter party drafting and review:GENCON, NYPE 2015, BALTIME, all standard forms adapted for UAE law
Marine Insurance & P&I Club Matters
Marine insurance hull and machinery (H&M), cargo, P&I, and war risk coverage underpins the entire maritime economy. Al Adl represents shipowners, cargo interests, insurers, and P&I clubs in marine insurance claims, coverage disputes, and subrogated recovery proceedings before UAE courts and in international arbitration. With P&I Club LoUs now accepted under Article 57 of the New Maritime Law, P&I engagement is more central than ever to UAE maritime disputes.
• Hull and machinery (H&M) insurance claims:total loss, partial loss, constructive total loss, pursuing and defending claims against H&M underwriters
• Cargo insurance claims:advising cargo interests on pursuing insured losses from marine cargo policies, in coordination with surveys and underwriters
• P&I Club correspondence:liaising with P&I clubs on ship arrest security (LoU negotiation under Article 57), crew matters, and third-party liability
• Marine insurance coverage disputes:policy interpretation, exclusion clause challenges, notification obligation disputes under UAE Insurance Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 6/2025)
• General average (GA) contributions:advising cargo interests on GA declarations following maritime casualties, reviewing GA adjustments, and security arrangements
• Subrogation proceedings:representing marine insurers in subrogated recovery claims against carriers, terminals, and third parties
Vessel Registration, Sale & Purchase & Ship Finance
Under the New Maritime Law, GCC nationals and UAE-domiciled entities are now eligible for UAE vessel registration, significantly widening the ownership pool and creating new commercial opportunities for vessel registration in the UAE. Al Adl advises on vessel registration, sale and purchase transactions, and ship finance arrangements under both UAE law and international maritime conventions.
• UAE vessel registration:managing the registration process under Federal Decree-Law No. 43/2023 now open to GCC nationals and UAE-domiciled foreign entities
• Vessel sale and purchase:reviewing and negotiating Norwegian Saleform 2012, BIMCO SALEFORM, and bespoke MOAs for UAE-connected transactions
• Ship mortgage registration:advising on UAE ship mortgage registration and perfecting creditors' security interests under UAE law
• Bareboat charter registration:advising charterers of foreign-registered vessels on UAE flag registration under the new law
• Shipbuilding contracts:negotiating and drafting shipbuilding and ship repair contracts for UAE-based yards, including Drydocks World Dubai
• Ship finance:advising banks and financial institutions on structured ship finance, UAE law security, enforcement rights, and New Maritime Law implications
Admiralty, Salvage, General Average & Collision
Admiralty law covering vessel collisions, salvage operations, general average declarations, and marine casualties demands immediate response and specialist expertise. UAE courts have no dedicated admiralty court, but the commercial divisions of the Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah courts handle admiralty matters. Al Adl coordinates with international correspondents, P&I clubs, maritime authorities, and marine experts to provide immediate casualty response across UAE waters.
• Collision liability:representing shipowners and P&I clubs in collision claims, COLREGs breach, liability apportionment under UAE law, and limitation of liability (SDR-based under Article 83 of the New Maritime Law)
• Salvage claims:advising on Lloyd's Open Form (LOF) salvage and SCOPIC provisions for UAE waters salvage operations
• General average:advising cargo interests on GA contributions following maritime casualties, security, adjustment review, and recovery
• Marine pollution:advising on MARPOL compliance and UAE Environmental Law (Federal Law No. 24/1999) enforcement for pollution incidents in UAE waters
• Wreck removal:advising on UAE obligations for vessel grounding, sinking, and wreck removal, including liability limitation provisions
• Casualty response:immediate advisory for maritime accidents in UAE waters, coordinating with Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime (FTA-LM) and port state control
Aviation Law - Aircraft Leasing, Finance & GCAA Compliance
Dubai's aviation sector is the world's most dynamic, home to Emirates Airline (world's largest long-haul carrier), flydubai, Dubai International Airport (world's busiest international airport by passenger numbers), and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (world's largest aircraft lessor). Al Adl advises airlines, aircraft lessors, financiers, MROs, and aviation service providers on UAE aviation law, leveraging the UAE's accession to the Cape Town Convention and GCAA's comprehensive regulatory system.
• Aircraft leasing agreements:operating lease and finance lease drafting and review, including default, repossession, redelivery condition, maintenance reserves, and Cape Town Convention protections
• Cape Town Convention:UAE acceded to the Cape Town Convention Al Adl advises on International Registry filings, priority interests, and creditor remedies in aircraft finance default scenarios
• GCAA regulatory compliance:Air Operator Certificates (AOC), Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO), operational specifications, and regulatory enforcement defence
• Aviation finance:structured aircraft financing, security interests, assignment of insurance, engine pooling, and cross-border enforcement
• Aviation insurance disputes:hull, liability, war risk, and cargo claims involving UAE-registered or UAE-operated aircraft
• Aircraft repossession:enforcement of lessor rights on lessee default, coordinating with GCAA de-registration, Cape Town Convention remedies, and UAE court proceedings
• Drone / UAV law:GCAA UAV regulations and operational permits one of the world's most advanced UAV regulatory system.
Logistics, Freight Forwarding & Supply Chain Legal Advisory
Dubai's logistics sector is the UAE's non-oil economic backbone, connecting global supply chains through Jebel Ali Port, Dubai International Airport, and JAFZA. Logistics and freight forwarding disputes involve carrier liability, warehouse operator obligations, customs compliance, and complex multi-party contractual chains. Al Adl advises logistics operators, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and shippers across the full supply chain legal spectrum.
• Standard Trading Conditions (STC):drafting UAE-law-compliant STCs for freight forwarders' liability limitations, dispute resolution clauses, lien provisions
• Freight forwarder liability disputes:cargo damage, shortage, delay, and mis-delivery claims against road, air, and sea carriers under multi-modal transport documents
• UAE Customs compliance:Federal Customs Authority requirements, free zone customs procedures, import/export controls, and AML obligations for logistics operators
• Warehouse liability:storage damage, inventory shortages, and warehouse operator liability disputes under UAE commercial law
• 3PL / 4PL contract disputes:third-party logistics service agreement breaches, SLA enforcement, and performance bond claims
• Supply chain disruption claims:force majeure, geopolitical disruption, and pandemic-related supply chain contract claims, UAE Civil Code Article 249 frustration and hardship provisions
Maritime disputes in the UAE can be resolved through several forums. Choosing the right forum from the outset is critical, the wrong choice can result in jurisdiction challenges, enforcement complications, and wasted time and cost.
Forum | Best For | Key Facts |
UAE Civil Courts (Commercial Division) | Ship arrests and vessel release, maritime debt enforcement, urgent admiralty applications. Arabic-language proceedings. No dedicated admiralty court in UAE, commercial courts handle maritime matters. | Arrest applications: 24-48 hours urgently. First instance hearing: 6-18 months. Al Adl is licensed to appear in Arabic in all UAE civil courts, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Fujairah. |
EMAC (Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre, DIFC) | Complex maritime commercial disputes, charter party arbitrations, and shipbuilding disputes where parties prefer specialist maritime arbitrators. Rules based on LMAA/SCMA standards. | DIFC as default seat. Maritime specialist arbitrators. Confidential. Award enforceable under New York Convention (165+ countries). Al Adl represents clients in EMAC proceedings. |
DIAC (Dubai International Arbitration Centre) | Commercial maritime and shipping disputes with DIAC arbitration clauses. DIAC 2022 Rules. DIFC as the default seat. Legal costs recoverable. | 6-18 months standard. Expedited (AED 1M): 3 months. Emergency arbitrator: 1-day appointment. Al Adl represents clients in DIAC shipping arbitrations. |
DIFC Courts | English common law maritime disputes, aviation finance, ship finance, and international trade disputes with DIFC-connected parties. Asset enforcement through DIFC conduit. | English language. Common law. 6-18 months. Useful for international enforcement strategy: award registered in DIFC, then enforced onshore. |
Negotiation / P&I Correspondence | Marine insurance, cargo claims, and P&I matters are most settled before proceedings through structured demand letters and P&I club direct correspondence. | Fastest and cheapest resolution. Al Adl manages P&I club correspondence, demand letters, and structured negotiation on behalf of all maritime parties. |
Dubai's maritime legal market includes Chambers Band 1 firms with 200+ global shipping lawyers. Al Adl competes by combining the same quality of bilingual UAE court advocacy with Forbes-listed institutional authority, free consultation, and accessible rates.
UAE Ministry of Justice Licensed Advocates:Al Adl's maritime lawyers are fully licensed UAE advocates. We file ship arrest applications, appear in Arabic before UAE civil courts in admiralty matters, and manage enforcement proceedings, all within the same mandate, with no need to instruct separate court counsel.
Federal Decree-Law No. 43/2023 Current:Al Adl's maritime practice reflects every provision of the New Maritime Law: Article 54 expanded maritime debts, Article 55 charterer arrests, Article 56 countersecurity, Article 57 P&I Club LoUs, Article 59 5-working-day validity claim, and limitation fund provisions under Article 83. Unlike many advisors who still cite the 1981 law.
Emergency Ship Arrest Capability:Arrest applications can be filed within hours of instruction. Al Adl has experience managing urgent maritime arrest applications in Jebel Ali, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
P&I Club Experience:Al Adl engages directly with P&I clubs on ship arrest security (LoU negotiation under Article 57), vessel release, liability defence, and crew repatriation matters.
Full Aviation Practice:Aircraft leasing, Cape Town Convention, GCAA compliance, aviation finance enforcement, and aviation insurance disputes. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), the world's largest aircraft lessor, operates from Dubai.
Logistics & Freight Forwarding Depth:From JAFZA logistics contract disputes to multi-modal cargo claims and UAE Customs compliance. Al Adl understands the operational realities of logistics in Dubai.
Bilingual Arabic-English:UAE court maritime proceedings are in Arabic. DIAC, EMAC, and DIFC arbitrations are in English. Al Adl's bilingual advocates represent clients fluently in both languages and all forums.
Forbes-Listed Law Firm:Institutional credibility when opposing P&I clubs, major shipping lines, large aviation corporations, or international logistics operators with in-house counsel and large legal teams.
AED 50M+ Recovered, 85% Success Rate:Al Adl's track record across all dispute types. 400+ clients from 38+ countries.
Free First Consultation:Unlike most Chambers-ranked maritime firms, Al Adl offers a free initial consultation. Understand the strength of your maritime claim and the best strategy before committing to any proceedings.
To arrest a ship in the UAE under Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023 (New Maritime Law, effective 29 March 2024): (1) Confirm that your claim qualifies as a 'maritime debt' under the expanded list including cargo claims, charter party debts, vessel sale disputes, bunker supply claims, port fees, salvage, environmental damage, and crew claims. (2) Arrange countersecurity (financial guarantee covering vessel safety, crew costs, and maintenance during arrest), required BEFORE the court will grant the arrest order under Article 56. (3) File an urgent arrest application with the competent UAE court in the emirate where the vessel is located. (4) The court can grant the arrest on an ex parte basis where urgency requires, typically within hours. (5) Once arrested, file the claim validity proceeding within 5 working days (Article 59). (6) Negotiate vessel release security with the shipowner P&I Club LoUs now accepted under Article 57. Al Adl manages the full arrest process from initial assessment through to vessel rel
Under UAE maritime law (Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023), cargo claims are subject to a 1-year time bar from the date of delivery of the goods or from the date on which delivery should have been completed. This time bar is strict and strictly applied missing it extinguishes the right to claim regardless of the merits. Practical steps for cargo claimants: (1) Serve a letter of protest at the port of discharge immediately on discovery of damage, shortage, or non-delivery. (2) Commission a marine survey to document cargo condition as soon as possible. (3) Provide written claim notification to the carrier promptly after delivery. (4) Ensure formal legal proceedings are filed, or a time-bar extension agreement is obtained from the carrier before the 1-year deadline. Al Adl tracks all time-bar deadlines rigorously on behalf of cargo claim clients contact us immediately if a deadline is approaching.
Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023 (New UAE Maritime Law) came into force on 29 March 2024, replacing Federal Law No. 26 of 1981. Key changes: (1) Expanded maritime debts: 22 qualifying grounds for ship arrest (vs. the narrower 1952 Convention list) now aligned with the 1999 Arrest of Ships Convention. New grounds include environmental damage, port fees, vessel sale disputes, bunker supply claims, crew repatriation costs. (2) Mandatory claimant countersecurity (Article 56): arresting parties must provide a financial guarantee covering vessel safety and crew costs BEFORE the arrest is granted. (3) P&I Club LoUs accepted (Article 57): for the first time, P&I Club Letters of Undertaking can be accepted by UAE courts to lift vessel arrests, replacing the previous requirement for cash or local bank guarantees only. (4) 5 working days to file claim validity (Article 59): compressed from the old 8-calendar-day deadline. (5) Limitation funds: UAE courts can now establish limitation funds. (6) Bareboat charterer arrest
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023, ship arrest applications in Dubai can be processed urgently typically within 24-48 hours of filing where the vessel is imminently leaving. The practical timeline: (1) Al Adl receives instruction and confirms the maritime debt qualification typically within hours of receiving the claim documents. (2) Countersecurity is arranged (Article 56) this can take 24-48 hours depending on the form of security. (3) Arrest application is filed with the competent Dubai court. (4) Court grants the arrest order typically within hours to 2 working days for urgent applications. (5) Port authority is notified and the vessel detained typically same day as the court order. The total time from instruction to vessel detention: typically 24-72 hours for straightforward cases where a qualifying maritime debt is clearly established, and countersecurity can be arranged quickly. Contact Al Adl immediately if a vessel calling at a UAE port needs to be arrested maritime windows are time-critical.
Yes, since 29 March 2024, when Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023 (the New Maritime Law) came into force. Article 57(2) expressly permits P&I Club Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to be accepted by UAE courts as security for the release of arrested vessels. This is one of the most significant practical changes in UAE maritime law in decades. Previously, only cash deposits, bank manager's cheques, or local bank guarantees were accepted requiring days or weeks to arrange. A P&I Club LoU can typically be issued within 24-48 hours, dramatically reducing vessel detention time and the associated losses (port fees, crew costs, demurrage, charter cancellation). Conditions: the LoU must be accepted by the competent court; the Executive Regulations (still pending) will specify detailed requirements; and LoUs are NOT accepted in ownership/possession disputes. Al Adl manages the LoU acceptance process with the UAE courts on behalf of shipowners and P&I clubs.
Airlines operating in Dubai and the UAE are subject to: (1) GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority) federal regulation, including Air Operator Certificate (AOC) requirement for all commercial airline operations, operational specifications, safety oversight; (2) DCAA (Dubai Civil Aviation Authority) regulation for Dubai-specific matters at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC); (3) Cape Town Convention compliance, the UAE acceded to the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, which governs aircraft financing and creates priority security interests in registered aircraft in favour of creditors; (4) ICAO standard compliance, the UAE is an ICAO member state committed to compliance with international safety standards and recommended practices (SARPs); (5) Aircraft registration requirements, all aircraft operating in UAE airspace must be GCAA-registered or operating under bilateral reciprocal arrangements. Al Adl advises airlines, lessors, financie
Our team of highly-skilled and experienced lawyers specialize in a variety of areas of practice. With a comprehensive knowledge of UAE legislation, we are well-equipped to provide strategic counsel and effective solutions.
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