Bangladesh's leading admiralty counsel — ship arrest, maritime claims, cargo disputes, and international shipping law from the ports of Chattogram, Mongla, and Payra to the world's oceans.
Bangladesh's strategic position at the Bay of Bengal — with three major commercial ports handling billions of dollars in annual trade — makes admiralty and maritime law one of the most consequential practice areas in the country. The ports of Chattogram, Mongla, and Payra serve as gateways for Bangladesh's $55 billion export economy.
Barrister Meheruba Mahbub, as a triple-qualified lawyer (Barrister at Law, Solicitor of England & Wales, and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh), brings a rare combination of common-law maritime expertise and deep knowledge of Bangladesh's domestic admiralty regime under the Bangladesh Admiralty Court Act, 2000.
Ex parte arrest orders from the High Court Division, enforced through the Port Marshal at Chattogram, Mongla, and Payra.
Associated Ship Arrest
Bangladesh recognises associated ship arrest — allowing arrest of a vessel under common ownership, even where the offending ship has sailed.
Claimant-Friendly Jurisdiction
Bangladesh courts pierce the corporate veil in maritime disputes, applying substance-over-form analysis to protect creditors and cargo interests.
Legal 500 Ranked Firm
TRW Law Firm is Legal 500 ranked in Bangladesh — the first to receive client satisfaction accolades in the history of Bangladeshi law.
Our Services
Maritime Legal Services
Comprehensive admiralty and maritime legal services for shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, banks, P&I Clubs, and maritime operators.
01
Ship Arrest & Release
Ex parte arrest applications, Port Marshal enforcement, security negotiations, and vessel release proceedings before the High Court Division sitting as Admiralty Court.
02
Cargo Claims & Disputes
Loss, damage, short-delivery, and contamination claims under bills of lading, charterparties, and cargo insurance policies. Acting for shippers, consignees, and insurers.
03
Charterparty Disputes
Time charter, voyage charter, and bareboat charter disputes — hire claims, off-hire, laytime and demurrage, speed and performance, and redelivery disputes.
04
Ship Finance & Mortgages
Ship mortgage enforcement, priority disputes, preferred maritime liens, and vessel acquisition financing — including the landmark Bangladesh Shipping Corporation bulk carrier acquisitions.
05
Maritime Arbitration
International maritime arbitration under LMAA, ICC, and UNCITRAL rules. Recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Bangladesh courts.
06
Regulatory & Environmental Compliance
IMO 2020 MARPOL compliance, bunker fuel regulations, scrubber technology advisory, port state control, and Bangladesh Department of Shipping regulatory matters.
Ship Arrest
How Ship Arrest Works in Bangladesh
Ship arrest is the most powerful remedy in maritime law — a vessel can be detained at port within 1–2 working days of filing, compelling settlement or securing jurisdiction for the full claim. Bangladesh's admiralty regime under BACA 2000 is claimant-oriented and judicially robust.
Unlike many jurisdictions, Bangladesh recognises associated ship arrest — allowing a claimant to arrest a vessel under common ownership with the offending ship, even where the original vessel has departed. Courts apply substance-over-form analysis and will pierce the corporate veil where single-ship companies are used to evade liability.
Important: P&I Club Letters of Undertaking are not accepted as valid security in Bangladesh. A bank guarantee from a Bangladeshi bank (or counter-guarantee from a foreign bank for foreign defendants) is required for vessel release.
1–2
Days for Arrest Order
1
Day for Release After Security
3
Enforcement Ports
14+
Recognised Claim Types
1
File Admiralty Plaint
Admiralty plaint, supporting affidavit, Power of Attorney, and documentary evidence of the maritime claim filed with the High Court Division.
2
Ex Parte Arrest Order
Court satisfied of prima facie claim and necessity of arrest grants ex parte order — typically within 1–2 working days of filing.
3
Port Marshal Enforcement
Order served through the Port Marshal. Port authorities enforce detention — vessel prohibited from sailing until further Court order.
4
Security Negotiation
Defendant furnishes bank guarantee covering principal, interest, court fees, and costs. P&I Club LOU not accepted. Release within 1 working day of acceptable security.
5
Merits Adjudication or Settlement
Claim proceeds to full trial (2–4 years if contested) or settlement. Court may order judicial sale of vessel if maintenance costs are excessive.
Legal Framework
Bangladesh Maritime Law
2000
Bangladesh Admiralty Court Act (BACA)
The primary statute governing admiralty jurisdiction in Bangladesh. Confers exclusive original jurisdiction on the High Court Division. Defines 14+ categories of maritime claims and the procedure for ship arrest, release, and judicial sale.
1912
Bangladesh Admiralty Rules (BAR)
Procedural rules governing admiralty proceedings — including filing requirements, service through the Port Marshal, caveat practice, and security requirements.
1908
Code of Civil Procedure
Applied in admiralty proceedings where BACA and BAR are silent. Governs pleadings, evidence, execution, and appeals in the High Court Division.
IMO
MARPOL & IMO 2020
Bangladesh implements MARPOL conventions governing vessel pollution. IMO 2020 sulphur cap applies to vessels calling at Bangladeshi ports — compliance advisory is a growing area of practice.
Common Law
English Maritime Principles
Bangladesh follows a hybrid model — domestic statutes supplemented by inherited English maritime law principles, including the law of maritime liens, general average, and salvage.
International
Arrest Conventions
Bangladesh is not a signatory to the 1952 or 1999 Arrest Conventions. Ship arrest is entirely regulated by domestic law — though certain principles resemble international norms.
Recognised Claims
Maritime Claims & Ports
The Bangladesh Admiralty Court Act recognises 14+ categories of maritime claims for which a ship may be arrested.
Ownership & Possession Disputes
Mortgage & Charge Enforcement
Loss or Damage to Cargo
Charterparty & Hire Claims
Salvage Claims
Crew Wages
Ship Construction & Repair
Supply of Necessaries
Bangladesh Ports
Three Ports. One Jurisdiction.
CHATTOGRAM
Bangladesh's Primary Commercial Port — 92% of Trade
Advised Bangladesh Shipping Corporation on the strategic acquisition of bulk carriers from Hellenic Dry Bulk Ventures, strengthening Bangladesh's national shipping fleet. Full transaction documentation, due diligence, and regulatory approvals.
Landmark acquisition of two bulk carriers — BANGLAR PROGOTI and BANGLAR NAVJATRA — for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation. One of the most significant maritime transactions in Bangladesh's history, expanding the national fleet for international bulk trade.
Dubai · 2025
AED 14 Billion Real Estate & Maritime JV — Dubai
Joint venture with a major Dubai developer for a multi-use real estate project exceeding AED 14 billion, including port, logistics, and maritime facility components. Full JV documentation, development management, and technical services agreements.
Regulatory · Ongoing
IMO 2020 & Bunker Fuel Compliance Advisory
Ongoing advisory to shipowners and charterers on IMO 2020 MARPOL sulphur cap compliance, scrubber technology installation agreements, fuel oil non-availability reports (FONARs), and port state control risk management at Bangladeshi ports.
Our Approach
How We Work
1
Emergency Consultation
24-hour response for urgent ship arrest matters. Immediate assessment of claim strength and arrest viability.
2
Claim Assessment
Review of all documents — bills of lading, charterparties, cargo surveys, and ownership records. Jurisdiction and security strategy.
3
Court Filing
Admiralty plaint, affidavit, and Power of Attorney filed with the High Court Division. Ex parte arrest application prepared.
4
Arrest & Enforcement
Arrest order obtained and served through Port Marshal. Vessel detained at Chattogram, Mongla, or Payra. Security negotiations commenced.
5
Resolution
Settlement, security release, or full merits adjudication. Enforcement of judgment or arbitral award in Bangladesh and internationally.
Why Choose
Triple-Qualified Maritime Counsel
Barrister Meheruba Mahbub is the only female lawyer in Bangladesh holding all three qualifications simultaneously — Barrister at Law (Lincoln's Inn, London), Solicitor of England & Wales (SRA No. 7266913), and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh (Dhaka Bar No. 29524).
This triple qualification means she can advise on Bangladesh domestic admiralty proceedings, English maritime law principles, and cross-border maritime disputes simultaneously — a combination unavailable anywhere else in the country.
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about admiralty and maritime law in Bangladesh.
An ex parte arrest order can be obtained from the High Court Division within 1–2 working days of filing the admiralty plaint, supporting affidavit, and Power of Attorney. The order is then served through the Port Marshal, who enforces detention at Chattogram, Mongla, or Payra port. This makes Bangladesh one of the faster jurisdictions in the region for ship arrest.
No. P&I Club Letters of Undertaking are not accepted as valid security for vessel release in Bangladesh. A bank guarantee from a Bangladeshi bank is required. Where the defendant is a foreign entity, a counter-guarantee from a reputable foreign bank is typically required. This is a critical distinction from many other jurisdictions and must be planned for in advance.
Yes. Bangladesh recognises associated ship arrest — one of its most powerful features. A claimant may arrest a vessel other than the offending ship if it is owned or controlled by the same person who owned or controlled the offending ship at the time the claim arose. Bangladesh courts apply a substance-over-form analysis and will pierce the corporate veil where single-ship companies are used to evade liability.
Yes, provided the ship is engaged in commercial activity. Flag state immunity does not apply in commercial maritime claims. A government or state-owned vessel may be arrested where the claim arises from commercial dealings, regardless of its flag or ownership. However, sovereign immunity arguments may be raised and must be addressed carefully.
Bangladesh is not a signatory to either the 1952 International Convention on the Arrest of Sea-Going Ships or the 1999 Arrest Convention. Ship arrest is entirely regulated by domestic law — the Bangladesh Admiralty Court Act 2000 and the Bangladesh Admiralty Rules 1912. While certain principles resemble international norms, practitioners must rely on domestic law and judicial practice rather than convention provisions.
Admiralty & Maritime
NEED TO ARREST A SHIP TODAY?
Emergency maritime legal counsel available. Ship arrest orders can be obtained within 1–2 working days. Contact us immediately.
