Home / Maritime Law / Nautical Contracts
We draft, review and negotiate the contracts that shape any nautical operation: from a seasonal charter to the purchase of a yacht, as well as fleet management or vessel repair.
A charter without clear liability clauses, a purchase without verifying the vessel’s legal status, or a management agreement without clearly defined payment terms: these are the three most frequent sources of the disputes that later turn into a precautionary arrest or a payment claim. Reviewing the contract in time costs far less, in money and in peace of mind, than resolving the conflict once it has already broken out.
«A poorly drafted nautical contract is, by far, the most common cause of the disputes we later end up handling at the claims or arrest stage. The best defence always starts in the contract, not in court.»
FORTE ABOGADOS • NAUTICAL CONTRACTS
We draft and review charter contracts, both for the owner renting out their vessel and for the company managing a fleet, clearly defining liability, insurance, deposits and cancellation terms.
We draft and review the purchase contract before you sign, verifying that the agreed conditions (vessel’s condition, outstanding charges, delivery terms) are reflected and protected in writing.
We review and negotiate management agreements with marinas, brokers or consignment companies, clearly setting out what each party manages and under what financial terms.
We draft and review contracts with shipyards and workshops, setting deadlines, a fixed quote and liability for delays or defects in the repair.
It’s the fund provision that covers the charter’s variable expenses (fuel, food, port fees, mooring). The captain keeps track of the expenses and presents the breakdown at the end; if this isn’t clearly agreed in writing, disagreements over the surplus or shortfall are common.
As a minimum, the identification of the parties and the vessel, the price and payment method, the security deposit, the cancellation terms, the allocation of liability in the event of breakdown or accident, and whether the charter includes a skipper or not.
Yes. The standard contract offered by the seller or the broker rarely protects both parties equally. Reviewing and renegotiating clauses before signing is common practice and shouldn’t create friction with a serious counterparty.
Yes, and this requirement will be reinforced from October 2026: the exception that allowed renting motor vessels without proof of a nautical qualification will no longer exist. The contract should expressly set out this obligation and the consequences if the renter fails to meet it.
It depends on whether the contract includes a penalty clause for delay. If it doesn’t, the claim becomes more complex, though not impossible, which is why it’s worth agreeing on one from the outset.
The trust of those who have already worked with us is the best reference for how we handle each case: with commitment, honesty and direct attention from the very first contact.
