From a legal perspective, the carriage of goods by sea is governed by a body of law that defines the rights and obligations of shippers, carriers, and consignees of marine cargo. This legal framework, primarily concerned with cargo claims, merges elements of international commercial law, the law of the sea, and admiralty law. Typically, an agreement exists between a shipowner and a charterer, either in the form of a voyage charter or a contract of affreightment, wherein the shipowner agrees to transport goods or provides the charterer with the use of the ship's cargo-carrying space.

In other scenarios, a time charter arrangement may be in place, where the charterer pays hire and certain additional expenses (such as bunkers or fuel). In return, the "hired master" is required to operate the vessel under the charterer's direction, in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

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Services offered by Prologos Law:

• Time Charters

• Voyage Charters

• Contracts of Affreightment

• Bills of lading

• Letters of Credit

• FAS/FOB Terms

• Import Compliance

• Export Compliance

• Federal Maritime Commission

• US Court of International Trade