Ship & vessel arrest
Urgent representation to lift an arrest, or to arrest a vessel to secure a genuine maritime debt claim.
Maritime Law · Urgent · Dubai, UAE
Maritime & Shipping Lawyer Dubai
Vessel arrested, or facing one? Every day a ship is held costs money - call before arranging security or responding to the arrest.
MBM represents shipowners, operators, charterers, cargo interests and seafarers in Dubai maritime matters - ship arrest, cargo disputes, charterparty disagreements, collision claims and marine insurance disputes, under the new UAE Maritime Law effective March 2024.
The framework
Ship arrest under the new UAE Maritime Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023, effective 29 March 2024, replaced the 1981 Maritime Commercial Law and substantially overhauled ship-arrest procedure. A vessel can be arrested for one of 22 defined categories of maritime debt set out in Article 53, covering matters from unpaid charter hire to cargo claims and crew wages. The arresting party must provide security, and the law now expressly accepts a P&I Club Letter of Undertaking as a route to lifting the arrest.
Because this legislation is recent, content still referencing the superseded 1981 law is out of date. This page describes the general framework; it is not advice on your matter.
Matters we handle
Maritime matters MBM is instructed on
These are the situations that most often reach us. If yours is not listed, it is still worth an urgent call.
Cargo disputes
Damage, loss, short-delivery or contamination claims connected to cargo carried by sea.
Charterparty disputes
Disputes over hire, laytime, demurrage, off-hire events, or the vessel's condition and performance.
Bill of lading disputes
Disputes over the terms, delivery obligations, or validity of a bill of lading.
Collision & marine insurance claims
Pursuing or defending collision claims, and disputes over marine insurance cover and claim denials.
Seafarer wage claims
Recovering unpaid wages, which can in some circumstances also support an arrest against the vessel.
Our approach
What MBM actually does on a maritime matter
Fast, practical steps - because a held vessel costs money every hour.
Respond immediately
Ship arrest enquiries are treated as an absolute priority, given the direct daily cost of a vessel being held.
Verify the arrest basis
We identify which maritime debt category is relied on and whether the arrest itself is properly founded.
Arrange security to lift the arrest
We coordinate acceptable security, including a P&I Club Letter of Undertaking where available, to secure release as quickly as possible.
Pursue or defend the underlying claim
Cargo, charterparty, collision or insurance disputes are resolved on their own merits, separately from the arrest itself.
Represent through to resolution
From the first urgent call through to a lifted arrest and a resolved underlying claim.
Before you call
What to have to hand
If your vessel has just been arrested, call first - do not wait to gather documents.
- The arrest order or noticeIf already served
- The charterparty or bill of ladingRelevant to the claim
- P&I Club detailsClub and correspondent contact, if applicable
- Vessel and voyage detailsName, IMO number, current location
- A timeline of eventsAs you understand them, with dates where you can
Why MBM
Current on the new Maritime Law, ready to move fast
The 2023/2024 overhaul of UAE maritime law is recent enough that outdated advice is a real risk. MBM works from the current legislation and moves at the speed these matters demand.
- Urgent response as standard. Ship arrest enquiries are prioritised, not queued.
- Litigation experience in-house. The people advising you are the people who would represent you before the court.
- Current legal knowledge. We work from Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023, not the superseded 1981 law.
- Two offices. Dubai and Sharjah.
17Years in practice as MBM Businessmen Services L.L.C.
90+Years of shared experience across the team
10Lawyers, litigation and arbitration capable
95%Win rate in high-stakes disputes, as published by the firm
Common questions
Maritime matters, answered directly
General information, not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts.
My ship has been arrested in Dubai - what should I do?
Contact a maritime lawyer immediately. Under the new UAE Maritime Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023), the arresting party must provide security, and the law now expressly accepts P&I Club Letters of Undertaking as a route to lifting an arrest - a faster option than a cash deposit in many cases.
On what basis can a vessel be arrested in the UAE?
The new Maritime Law sets out 22 defined categories of 'maritime debt' under Article 53 that can support an arrest, covering matters such as unpaid charter hire, cargo claims, collision damage and crew wages, among others. Whether a specific claim qualifies depends on its nature and the facts.
How quickly can a ship arrest be lifted?
This depends on how quickly acceptable security can be arranged - the law now expressly accepts a P&I Club Letter of Undertaking, which can often be arranged faster than a cash deposit. MBM moves immediately once instructed, since every day of arrest carries direct cost.
What is a cargo dispute, and how is it handled?
Cargo disputes typically involve damage, loss, short-delivery or contamination of goods carried by sea, and turn on the bill of lading, the charterparty (if any), and the carrier's obligations under the applicable law and contract.
What is a charterparty dispute?
Charterparty disputes arise between shipowners and charterers over hire, laytime, demurrage, off-hire events or the vessel's condition and performance, and are resolved by reference to the specific charterparty terms.
Does MBM handle marine insurance disputes?
Yes, including disputes over cover, claim denials, and the interpretation of marine insurance policy terms following a casualty, collision or cargo loss.
Can a seafarer claim unpaid wages in the UAE?
Seafarer wage claims can, depending on the circumstances, support a basis for arresting the vessel under the maritime debt categories in the new Maritime Law, in addition to any direct claim against the employer.
What replaced the old 1981 UAE Maritime Law?
Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023, effective 29 March 2024, replaced the 1981 Maritime Commercial Law and substantially overhauled ship-arrest procedure and other maritime provisions. Content or advice still referencing the 1981 law may be out of date.
Is my consultation about a maritime matter confidential and handled urgently?
Yes. Maritime matters, particularly ship arrests, are treated as priority enquiries given the direct daily cost of a vessel being held.
How much does maritime legal representation cost in Dubai?
The initial consultation with MBM is free. Cost thereafter depends on the nature and urgency of the matter. MBM provides a scope and fee position before you instruct.
Urgent consultation
Tell us about the vessel or matter
Tell us briefly about your situation. Our team will review your enquiry and advise you on the appropriate next step. Everything you send is treated as confidential.
If a vessel has just been arrested, please call rather than waiting for a reply by email.
- +971 4 570 0204Urgent enquiries answered as a priority
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Often the fastest way to reach us urgently
- info@mbm-co.comAttach any arrest order, charterparty or bill of lading
Practice area: Maritime Law
Jurisdiction: Dubai, Sharjah & UAE
Last reviewed: September 2026
Thank you — your enquiry is with our team.
A member of the MBM team will review what you have sent and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
A held vessel costs money every hour. Call now.
Whether it is a ship arrest, a cargo claim, or a charterparty dispute, the earlier we understand the position, the faster we can act. The first consultation is free.