Upcoming Events

Luncheon Schedule 2017/2018

Luncheons will resume in September with the Members Only Meeting and October with the first open speaker meeting of the season.

Have a great summer!

Our Mission

The Society of Maritime Arbitrators is a professional non-profit organization that has achieved international recognition as a leading forum for the arbitration of maritime and commercial disputes. Its mission is to promulgate arbitration, mediation, and to establish commercially effective legal procedures for Alternative Dispute Resolution. The SMA trains and provides the maritime industry with experienced commercial professionals who resolve disputes in an impartial, timely and cost-efficient manner.

Special Notices

Patrick Lennon of Lennon, Murphy & Phillips engaged SMA members and guests with a lively discussion of Force Majeure Clauses in charter party chains. The presentation included a definition, updates on law and interactive hypothetical examples. The SMA thanks Patrick for the presentation and for allowing it to be included on the SMA website.

New Volume of The Arbitrator - February 2017

On Tuesday, October 11, John Keough, a partner in the New York office of Clyde & Co, updated the membership and guests on the legal developments and potential impact of the OW Bunker Litigation.

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ICMA XX Call for Papers

Bill Juska of Freehill, Hogan & Maher spoke on the status of Iran Sanctions and Their Impact on the Maritime Industry at the November 11, 2015 luncheon. The thoughtful program included a historical perspective on sanctions on Iran as well as a detailed breakdown of the nuclear agreement reached this past summer and its prospective implementation.

The SMA thanks Bill for his fascinating presentation and for allowing it to be included on the SMA website.

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On August 25, 2015, NYMAR (New York Maritime, Inc.) released the first in a series of articles demonstrating the strength and unique characteristics of New York as a preeminent maritime center. The first article, "Where Arbitration Began: Maritime Arbitration in New York" ( PDF | HTML ), under the authorship of NYMAR Chairman, Clay Maitland, identifies New York as the first global center of arbitration, and dates back to 1656.

On February 11th at the monthly SMA luncheon, Michael G. Chalos, Partner K&L Gates, LLP presented his talk: The New MARPOL ANNEX VI Regulations, Requirements and Issues. The SMA thanks Mr. Chalos for his engaging and informative presentation, and for allowing it to be posted on the SMA site.

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On October 8th at the monthly Luncheon of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Leo G. Kailas a partner at Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLC presented his talk Charter party Agreements: Issues Related to Ebola Epidemic, which addressed issues regarding what measures can be taken to protect the vessel and crew, the implications for cargo if a port is closed or quarantined, who pays for delays, a review of the BIMCO Gentime charter and Exxon's charter party, along with two suggested Ebola Clause to consider for the Charter party contract.

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