Miami Shipping Law

Recently, a jury delivered a $2.5 million verdict against Celebrity Cruise Lines for the injury to a crewmember resulting from a brawl aboard the CELEBRITY CENTURY while she was on a European cruise and the incident occurred while the ship was off the coast of Spain. According to a Daily Business Review report dated September 16, 2013, the jury took 2½ hours to determine the award of $1.75 million in compensatory damages, $350,625 for medical expenses and $395,400 for lost wages.   The plaintiff claimed a fellow crewmember, the linen keeper onboard, got upset and started abusing him verbally and physically when he asked for sheets and towels. News has reported that the plaintiff was a cabin steward and much of his pay came from tips and thus, sheets and towels were necessary for the performance of his job. The injured crewmember claimed that his fellow crewmember threw him onto a trolley, fracturing his right leg. Reportedly, there were never enough towels to go around the vess

The Federal Maritime Commission ("FMC") has issued a new rule advising that foreign-based NVOCCs may utilize Negotiated Rate Arrangements ("NRAs") in lieu of published rates in their tariffs. In order to take advantage of the NRAs, a foreign-based, registered NVOCC must comply with the new registration requirements by October 17, 2013. Most importantly, regardless of whether a foreign-based NVOCC plans to use NRAs, all foreign-based registered NVOCCs must renew their registration by October 17th. To renew registration, foreign based registered NVOCCs must complete new Form FMC-65. FMC-65 requires the NVOCC to provide basic corporate information, designate an agent for service of process and includes a certification that the registrant will use a licensed ocean transportation intermediary ("OTI") for any OTI activities performed on its behalf in the United States. This is a new requirement under the law. If you are interested in learning more about t