The Strait of Hormuz Under International Law: Sovereignty and Freedom of Navigation in Conflict

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Author: Verónica Meana Larrucea / AIYON ABOGADOS S.L.P.

The Strait of Hormuz has once again taken centre stage in the international maritime legal debate. Since the outbreak of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran on 28 February 2026, Tehran has been progressively tightening its control over transit through the area, imposing prior authorisation requirements, selective restrictions and transit fees on certain vessels. The escalation intensified from 13 April onwards, when the United States launched Operation Epic Fury, which involves coercive naval actions against vessels linked to Iran and has led to the mass diversion of commercial traffic and the immobilisation of several Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

The strategic importance of the strait is beyond question: approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and a substantial proportion of liquefied natural gas pass through it every day. Any disruption to this vital artery has immediate consequences for energy markets, maritime transport and global trade. But beyond the geopolitical dimension, the conflict raises a legal controversy of the first order regarding the limits of state control in international straits and the scope of the principle of freedom of navigation.

The relevant legal framework is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, Montego Bay, 1982), which distinguishes between the regime of innocent passage—applicable to territorial waters and granting the coastal State a wider scope of control—and the special regime of transit passage set out in Articles 37 to 44 for certain international straits. The latter recognises a right of continuous and expeditious transit which coastal States may not impede or suspend.

Iran maintains that the context of armed conflict entitles it to adopt control measures comparable to the regime of innocent passage. The majority of the international community argues, on the basis of Article 44 of UNCLOS, that the special regime of transit passage applies to the Strait of Hormuz, which precludes the imposition of prior authorisations or general restrictions on maritime traffic.

The dispute also involves a legal paradox of considerable significance: neither the United States nor Iran has ratified UNCLOS. Washington, on the one hand, considers that its fundamental provisions form part of customary international law and are therefore binding even on non-party states. Iran, on the other hand, invokes the doctrine of the persistent objector: having expressed constant and systematic opposition to the regime of transit passage since the very negotiations of the Convention, it denies that this regime is enforceable against it as a rule of customary law.

However, a significant body of legal scholarship holds that the freedom of navigation through international straits existed even before UNCLOS. In this regard, the International Court of Justice had already recognised in the Corfu Channel case (1949) the right of passage through international straits without prior authorisation from the coastal State, a principle it reaffirmed in Nicaragua v. United States (1986) by confirming that freedom of navigation remains in force as a customary rule regardless of its subsequent codification in treaties. However, the Corfu judgment also established a key limitation: unilateral actions by a State in foreign waters — in that case, the Royal Navy’s mine clearance in Albanian waters — infringe upon the territorial sovereignty of the coastal State even if carried out in the name of freedom of navigation. That unresolved tension between sovereignty and freedom of passage remains at the heart of the problem in the Strait of Hormuz today.

Two further issues merit attention in this dispute. Firstly, Iran’s proposal to impose tolls on maritime transit is in direct conflict with Article 26 of UNCLOS, which prohibits the imposition of charges for the mere passage of vessels, except where such charges are in return for services actually rendered to the vessel. Unlike artificial canals such as Suez or Panama, the Strait of Hormuz is a natural strait whose legal regime is based on freedom of transit. Oman, also a coastal State and a party to UNCLOS, has publicly rejected this possibility.

Secondly, and conversely, Article 39 of UNCLOS imposes on ships in transit themselves an obligation to refrain from any threat or use of force against coastal States, a particularly sensitive issue in light of the US naval operations currently underway.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates that international maritime law remains, ultimately, a delicate balance between state sovereignty and freedom of navigation. The dispute pits not merely two conflicting legal interpretations against one another, but two distinct conceptions of the limits of state control in one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors. Its resolution — or its prolongation — will have consequences that extend far beyond the waters of the Persian Gulf.

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Enrique Ortiz Outlines the Legal Status of the Vessel “MV HONDIUS” in Light of the Serious Health Crisis Unfolding on Board

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We would like to thank the local media outlet “La Voz de Canarias” for turning to our firm to gather and report on the situation regarding the vessel “MV HONDIUS,” which is currently conducting its evacuation operation from the port of Granadilla on the island of Tenerife.

Enrique Ortiz Bastos, our partner and colleague at the Cádiz office, provided a detailed response to the legal issues raised by the situation in the context of the law of the sea, the actions of public health authorities, and the division of responsibilities among institutions. Enrique thus emphasized the importance of implementing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which must, in this case, be applied in conjunction with the International Health Regulations of 2005  of the World Health Organization (WHO). He also emphasized the need for the various institutions and agencies involved to work very closely with the Captain in order to find the best solution to this serious situation.

The “Certificate of Free Practique” takes on particular importance in this scenario; we discussed this certificate in our October 2021 article, “Impact of COVID-19 on Ship Operations in Spanish Ports” when we were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This certificate consists of a sworn statement made by the ship’s captain regarding the health situation on board. In any case, however, the final decision on whether to authorize the ship’s entry into port will always rest with the Ministry of Health, through the Foreign Health Service, acting in coordination with the Tenerife Port Authority.

Our partner emphasized that the flag state would not bear direct responsibility for the actions of the captain or the shipowners in the event of an epidemic or infection on board, although this does not preclude the captain and the shipowners from being held accountable for the statements they make and the actions and measures they take. Therefore, both parties could face administrative, civil, or criminal liability if they fail to provide the necessary information accurately, fail to comply with onboard protocols, or fail to cooperate with the relevant authorities, thereby minimizing the serious impact of the situation on their passengers, crew, and any third parties who may be affected.

AIYON Abogados commemorates its 10th anniversary at its headquarters in Bilbao, marking the culmination of a great year of celebrations

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AIYON Abogados celebrates its 10th anniversary at its headquarters in Bilbao, after a decade in which it has consolidated its position as a national and international leader in maritime and transport law, reaffirming at all times its commitment to professional excellence and personalised service to its clients.

Our boutique firm celebrated its tenth anniversary with a wonderful event held at La Torre de Iberdrola on 2 October, attended by clients and partners, as well as representatives from the logistics and transport sector at national and international level. An event that brings a great year of celebrations to a close, after a decade of hard work and shared enthusiasm.

Founded in 2015 by a team of expert lawyers, all specialising in maritime law, transport, international trade and insurance, the firm has grown to have offices in Madrid, Cadiz and Algeciras, in addition to its headquarters in Bilbao, which hosted the event. Its multidisciplinary team of solicitors, with an average of more than twenty years’ experience in the sector, offers a comprehensive 360º legal service (24/7) within its areas of expertise, as well as in any other area of law with the help of its regular collaborators.

During these ten years of work, the AIYON team has demonstrated its ability to adapt to the challenges of the sector. Over the years, the firm has advised companies and professionals of all kinds, handling both small queries and actively participating in large-scale projects. In addition to being appointed to assist in major maritime accidents occurring at sea, the firm’s solicitors are at the forefront of new technologies being implemented in the sector, such as offshore platforms and, more specifically, floating offshore wind farms. Our close collaboration with local engineering firm SAITEC Offshore Technologies is proof of this.

AIYON Abogados has not only consolidated its presence in the domestic market, but we are also one of the main collaborating firms for numerous companies in the sector based in other countries, including multinationals and insurance companies with an international presence, prestigious law firms and P&I Clubs, and institutions such as the IOPC Funds (IMO). In this way, we position ourselves as a leading law firm, offering tailored legal advice and solutions.

In a global and constantly evolving environment, the solicitors at AIYON know that the sector always requires dynamic measures tailored to each case and each client. The five partners, Mikel Garteiz-goxeaskoa, Verónica Meana, José Antonio Domínguez, Enrique Ortiz and Zuberoa Elorriaga, whose work has been recognised by specialist British directories such as The Legal500 and Chambers & Partners, lead a team of young professionals who aspire to contribute to the firm’s growth in the coming years so that, in another decade, we can all once again commemorate the good work of our firm and its hallmark, which combines the serious, professional and dedicated practice of its profession with an approach that is always friendly and attentive.

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MORUs and Maritime Law: A New Legal Challenge from a Spanish and International Perspective

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Mikel Garteiz-goxeaskoa, partner of AIYON Abogados S.L.P.

In recent years, the shipbuilding and energy industry has witnessed a profound transformation driven by the transition to sustainable energy sources. In this context, MORUs (Mobile Offshore Renewable Units) emerge as one of the key elements for the exploitation of renewable resources in the sea. These floating structures, designed to generate wind, solar, wave or tidal energy, represent a considerable technical advance, a challenge for the shipbuilding industry, but also, without doubt, a major legal challenge.

The Comité Maritime International (CMI), a non-governmental organisation in consultative status with the United Nations, has positioned itself as one of the main forums for the development of a uniform international legal framework for maritime affairs. Founded in 1897, the CMI’s main objective is the progressive harmonisation and unification of maritime law. In 2023, in view of the growth in the navigation of our seas by these new offshore structures, the CMI set up an international working group to study the legal status of MORUs and, in order to gather information on how these units are treated in different legal systems as part of this process, launched a questionnaire addressed to national maritime law associations.

The Spanish Maritime Law Association actively participated in this initiative, constituting a group of legal experts coordinated by Jose Sánchez-Fayos and myself. Its aim was to analyse the legal treatment of MORUs within the Spanish regulatory framework, the conclusions of which were presented at the Spanish Maritime Law Association National Congress held in Madrid in June 2025.

One of the central questions that arises when dealing with the MORU phenomenon is their legal status: are they legally ships or not? This is not a purely technical question as the answer will depend on whether or not essential maritime law regimes apply to them, such as the Convention on the Arrest of Ships, the LLMC maritime claims limitation regime, the rules on nationality and flag, maritime privileges or the possibility of being registered and mortgaged as a ship – essential for financing their construction. Ultimately, their legal qualification determines not only their administrative treatment, but also the legal architecture that guarantees their operation, financing, insurance and conflict resolution.

In the Spanish case, Law 14/2014 on Maritime Navigation establishes a typology of shipping vehicles that distinguishes between ships, vessels, naval artefacts and fixed installations. Most MORUs, not being self-propelled and not intended for navigation in the strict sense of the word, cannot be considered as ships. They do not easily qualify as vessels either. Thus, it can be concluded that most MORUs should be classified as naval craft, defined as floating structures not intended to sail, but capable of being towed and of accommodating persons or equipment.

This classification has important practical consequences as MORUs, identified as naval artefacts, can be entered in the Register – although this will require adjustment to accommodate them – and can benefit directly from the ship mortgage regime foreseen for ships. However, the 1999 Convention on Arrest of Ships does not apply to them, which prevents them from being arrested according to the procedures established for ships, something that we believe should be changed given the mobility of these artefacts.

On the other hand, as far as insurance is concerned, Article 406 of the Maritime Navigation Act admits the application of marine insurance to naval artefacts if they are subject to risks inherent to navigation, which opens the door to coverage during phases such as towing, installation or operation at sea.

Looking at the responses from other countries, France, for example, has recently passed the APER Law (2023), which explicitly excludes these structures from the concept of ship and creates a specific legal framework for them, recognising their stationary nature. Denmark, on the other hand, adopts a broader interpretation of the concept of ship, allowing MORUs to be registered as such in the Danish maritime register, which facilitates their insurance and financing. In the United States, the case law of the Supreme Court in Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach has set a standard by considering any structure that is reasonably capable of being used as a means of maritime transport to be a vessel, which has allowed some MORUs to be classified as such. In China, although the legal concept of ‘maritime mobile unit’ could be applied to MORUs, in practice there is still no possibility to register them as property in a public register. Brazil, on the other hand, allows their registration only if they are construed as vessels under the guidelines of the maritime authority.

As far as the registration aspects in Spain are concerned, it is noted that, for the time being, there is no specific framework in Spain that allows the registration of MORUs in the ship register of the Directorate General of the Merchant Navy as a category of its own, except by means of an analogue application. This is a major constraint that the DGMN should address as soon as possible so as not to prevent them from accessing financing through ship mortgages and using them as collateral in transactions. Furthermore, the absence of express recognition as ships limits their access to limited liability regimes, but not to the rights of innocent passage or transit through the sea, which are regulated by conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The conclusions reached underline the need to adapt part of the Spanish -and in general, the international- legal framework to this new technological reality. It is proposed to review the registration regime and clarify its status in relation to liability, seizure and navigation rules. In short, the aim is to provide these units – essential for the energy transition – with the necessary legal security to operate effectively in international waters and in the exclusive economic zone of coastal states, as well as to ensure that there are no obstacles to their constructive financing, which is essential for their acceptance by the shipbuilding sector.

The emergence of MORUs is an opportunity for maritime law to evolve in step with technology. The work of the CMI and national contributions, such as in this case that of the Spanish Maritime Law Association group, constitute a fundamental first step in building a clear, predictable and future-proof legal framework for the sea.

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The Role of the Spanish Ports in Today’s Global Landscape

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In a context of geopolitical uncertainty marked by international conflicts and some crises inherited from 2024, Spanish ports have acquired a strategic role. Spain, with its consolidated maritime tradition, has become a key logistics hub within Europe, positioning itself as a global trade reference due to its geographical location and connectivity.

This is reflected in the growing economic impact of Spain’s general interest ports, which have significantly increased their contribution in recent years. According to a study on the economic impact of Spanish ports, they generate 24.3 billion euros and support 250,000 jobs, accounting for 2.2 percent of national GDP and 1.4 percent of total employment. Spain’s strategic position, at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and America, further reinforces its global logistics significance. The Strait of Gibraltar alone handles between 10 and 25 percent of global maritime trade, consolidating Spanish ports as critical infrastructures in international shipping routes.

Among the Spain’s main ports, the following stand out:

  • Santander/Bilbao: Essential for trade with the UK and Northern Europe.
  • A Coruña/Vigo: Key connections with the Americas, while facilitating north-south trade between Europe and Africa.
  • Algeciras: Spain’s largest port and one of Europe’s top transshipment hubs, maintaining critical links with Africa, the Americas and Asia.
  • Valencia: A leading container port, with strong commercial ties to China and Southeast Asia.
  • Barcelona: A crucial gateway to the Mediterranean and North Africa, with historically high cargo volumes.

This being so, recent geopolitical changes have significantly impacted Spanish ports, compelling them to redefine strategies and adjust priorities in response to new global challenges.

  1. US-China tensions. The expansion of China’s Maritime Silk Road has reinforced Beijing’s presence in the Mediterranean, reshaping trade dynamics. In 2025, new sanctions and ongoing technological disputes could disrupt trade flows, potentially affecting Spanish exports to Asia.
  1. The war in Ukraine and NATO expansion. The energy crisis has shifted trade benefits toward Mediterranean ports, often at the expense of Northern European hubs. Spain has capitalized on this shift by positioning itself as a key LNG importer from the Americas and Africa, leveraging agreements such as the EU-Egypt-Israel trilateral memorandum on natural gas exports to Europe.
  1. The Panama Canal crisis. A potential political crisis or rising transit costs through the Panama Canal could pose challenges for Valencia, Barcelona and Algeciras, which rely heavily on the canal for trade with South America’s Pacific coast. Any disruption could affect rout viability and overall trade volumes.
  1. Decarbonisation and the EU Green Deal. The shift towards a more sustainable maritime transport presents challenges. Spanish ports must adapt to stricter CO₂ regulations while ensuring they remain competitive in global trade.

In order to maintain their global position, Spanish ports must focus on key strategic areas.  Investing in modern infrastructure and digitalisation will be essential for adapting to evolving technological and environmental regulations. Strengthening rail and logistics connectivity will enhance landside efficiency and improve cargo distribution. Additionally, expanding the Green Maritime Corridor in 2025 will further consolidate Spain’s role in sustainable global trade.

Spanish ports must continue evolving towards a more sustainable, technologically advanced mode, fully integrated into international logistics networks.

Only by doing so will they successfully face current and future geopolitical and economic challenges, consolidating their position as key players in global trade.

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Algeciras Hosts the First Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of AIYON Lawyers

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On Thursday, 29 May, the entire AIYON Abogados team celebrated the firm’s 10th anniversary at an event held at the Hotel Alborán in Algeciras, attended by our clients and friends, as well as our regular collaborators, with whom we form a solid team of lawyers and experts.

At this pleasant event, we brought together leading operators and various stakeholders from the logistics and transport sector in Algeciras and the rest of the province of Cádiz, as well as some local authorities, to commemorate a significant milestone in our professional career.

Multiple local media outlets reported this news, which undoubtedly fills us with pride for the effort and dedication that the team has put into achieving this goal, but above all for its five partners, Enrique Ortiz (head of the Cadiz office), Verónica Meana (head of the Madrid office), Mikel Garteiz-goxeaskoa and Zuberoa Elorriaga (heads of the Bilbao office) and José Antonio Domínguez (head of the Algeciras office); partners who work side by side with the rest of the team in handling all kinds of matters related to their specialities.

Founded in 2015 in the city of Bilbao, AIYON Abogados is one of the few specialist law firms currently operating in Spain that provides advice in the areas of maritime law, transport law (both land and air), insurance law and international trade, addressing all of its clients’ legal needs thanks to a highly qualified and multidisciplinary team of lawyers and a network of trusted collaborators in other areas of law (criminal, tax, commercial, and labour), enabling them to offer a 360º legal service. In fact, last March, we were once again highlighted by the prestigious British legal guide Chambers & Partners in the category of ‘Shipping – Maritime Law’ for Spain, and we also contributed to the chapter on Maritime Law in Spain for the guide The International Comparative Legal Guides, 2025 (ICLG).

This is the firm’s first celebration in this momentous year 2025, which will be followed by a second celebration in Bilbao after the summer, serving as the grand finale to commemorate a decade of work and joint effort, with all eyes set on the next 10 years. Congratulations, AIYON Abogados!

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How is the Arrival of Stowaways in Spanish Ports Managed?

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We would like to thank the Catalan newspaper El Nacional.cat  for the collaboration of our colleagues Jose Antonio Dominguez Castro and Zuberoa Elorriaga for their article on stowaways.

Specifically, the Catalan newspaper reports on the arrival of stowaways in the Port of Barcelona on different ships, which poses a challenge for the different actors affected by this eventuality. Although the newspaper points out that the arrival of stowaways in the Port of Barcelona is scarce, it confirms that this does not mean that this phenomenon does not exist, but that it generally does not transcend despite the fact that it is a reality which, in the 21st century, is still present in maritime life and in the different Spanish and European ports. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior to which the publication had access, between 2016 and 2024 a total of 137 stowaways arrived at the Port of Barcelona: 11 (2016); 20 (2017); 15 (2018); 47 (2019); 15 (2020); 13 (2021); 9 (2022); 3 (2023), and 4 (2024). The authorities state that their provenance is unknown and point out that ‘they have embarked through unregulated procedures unknown to the ship’s captain’.

As El Nacional.cat points out, our firm, in collaboration with the shipowners involved, the responsible authorities, shipping agents and P/I clubs, has managed complex situations arising from this reality in Europe, which undoubtedly always pose a challenge for our team. In this sense, our partner José Antonio Domínguez , a lawyer from the Algeciras office with accredited experience in cases of management of stowaways arriving at the Port of Algeciras, explained in detail to the newspaper the multiple steps and actions that must be taken with all the agents affected once stowaways are detained on a ship on its arrival at a Spanish port, without forgetting the human factor that all this entails, as we are talking about people in an irregular and precarious situation who must be treated with respect and humanity.

Enrique Ortiz, Partner of AIYON Cadiz, Participates in the Round Table Organised by the Propeller Club of Algeciras

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On the 29th of April, an interesting meeting took place in Algeciras, organised by the Propeller Club of Algeciras, which brought together many of the most relevant members of the maritime and transport sector in the Bay of Algeciras, including Enrique Ortiz), our partner responsible for the Cadiz office.

The round table was attended by the presidents of the three major associations of companies operating in the Port of Algeciras, such as the Association of Service Companies of the Bay of Algeciras (AESBA), the Association of Freight Forwarders, International Forwarders and Similar of the Bay of Algeciras (ATEIA-OLTRA) and the Port Community of the Bay of Algeciras (Comport), and was moderated by Mr. Manuel Piedra.

During the meeting, José Antonio Fernández, Manuel Cózar and José Manuel Tejedor analysed the current situation, as well as the future of the logistics-port community of the Port of Algeciras. In general, the participants agreed in demanding better tools for the port facilities and the region in the form of better infrastructures, more space for the activity of the companies in the sector, as well as adequate and up-to-date training to improve the service provided.

The dismissal of Mr. Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena as president of Puertos del Estado, considered a strategic ally for Algeciras, also had a place in the round table. The president of Comport regretted that it is a ‘huge loss for the Port’.

Another recurring theme that was also discussed, and which not only affects the Port of Algeciras but all areas of logistics and transport at national level, was the shortage of qualified personnel in sectors such as consignment, customs or port services. The lack of a maritime-port training centre in the region was highlighted, as well as the urgent need to promote dual training, improve technical training and provide companies with more customs representatives.

In relation to the so-called ‘Green Strategy’ followed by the Port of Algeciras, the speakers advocated the need to advance in compliance with European regulations, but pointed out that some of the measures should have a ‘more practical’ sense in order to be able to adapt better to the needs of the operators.

In general, it was a very complete and pleasant meeting in which Enrique Ortiz was able to take note of the different aspects discussed, as well as to reinforce the links that our firm has with the community of the Bay of Algeciras, and its different actors.

AIYON collaborates with the ‘Diario del Puerto’ in its report ‘Legal Allies’

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The special report entitled ‘Legal Allies’, recently published by the specialised newspaper of the logistics and transport sector, ‘Diario del Puerto’, has counted on the collaboration of our colleagues Verónica Meana and Zuberoa Elorriaga, among other professionals of the sector.

After analysing the various questions posed to us, which covered different aspects of our work and included our vision for the future in the face of new challenges, we discussed aspects such as the value of advice and prevention in conflict areas, the most common deficiencies and lack of knowledge in the sector, the role we play as lawyers and its importance in the transport sector, as well as the future challenges facing the world of transport, our lawyers provided their perspective, based on their broad and varied experience.

For her part, Zuberoa Elorriaga commented that the lack of the proper coordination and joint vision that should exist between the purchase and sale operation and the subsequent transport operation can give rise to claims and disputes, which could be avoided with good prior advice. We are talking about both the logistics operation and the insurance that accompanies it.

It considers that the transport phase must be highlighted as an essential complement that complements and perfects the sale and purchase from which it derives. Therefore, correct management of routes and delivery times to avoid delays or damage to the goods is essential, a task that always involves a cost if we want to guarantee a correct service at the hands of professionals.

Verónica Meana, in turn, explained that the EU’s growing demands to reduce emissions are forcing the transport sector to look for alternatives, such as the use of electric vehicles or cleaner fuels. All of this is causing concern among operators about the high costs of adapting their fleets, whether by sea, air or land, which will be required by the new regulation.

In addition, she points out that the delay in adopting digital solutions for optimising operations or complying with environmental regulations, and the lack of robustly implemented protocols among employees of transport companies to make them less susceptible to cyber-attacks, are factors that can be improved with good research and planning.

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AIYON Abogados, a Decade at the Service of Maritime and Transport Law

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‘El Canal Marítimo y Logístico’ took advantage of the celebration of the annual meeting of AIYON Abogados S.L.P. to meet in Bilbao with the five partners of the firm. Close to celebrating 10 years in the market, each of them pointed out the strengths of their multidisciplinary team of lawyers, as well as the different challenges they face on a daily basis from their offices located in Madrid, Cadiz, Bilbao and Algeciras.

We invite you to rea the article in its entirety from the link at the end of this article, highlighting below some of the statements made by the partners.

As expert lawyers in chartering and leasing of vessels, both for general cargo and project cargo, AIYON has also been specializing in off.shore construction projects. In this regard, AIYON’s partner in Bilbao, Mikel Garteiz-goxeaskoa, states, ‘This experience has given us the opportunity to assist from our Bilbao office local companies such as SAITEC Offshore Technologies, S.L., in projects as innovative as the launching and installation of its DemoSATH floating offshore wind platform in the BIMEP test area (Armintza), in the open sea two miles off the coast, and in waters 90 meters deep, as AIYON aspires to be a benchmark for companies operating in this sector due to its in-depth knowledge of Maritime Law in all its areas’.

With regard to the specific offshore wind sector, Mikel Garteiz-goxeaskoa highlights the firm’s strengths: ‘In addition to our knowledge and experience, we also have a large international network of collaborating lawyers, also specialized in these matters, mainly from the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. This allows us to rely at all times on up-to-date professionals in their respective jurisdictions to resolve any issued that may arise in the negotiation of the contracts concerned.’

When asked about their latest performances in Madrid, the firm’s partner, Verónica Meana, points our that: ‘We have recently seen in the office a notable increase in the number of cases that are resolved in institutional arbitration in these matters, either under CIAM or ICC rules, compared to the percentage of cases that go to court, which is still higher. This increase, although independent, runs parallel to the firm’s involvement in the Maritime Law working group within the Spanish Maritime Law Association in collaborating with CIAM, in an effort to promote maritime arbitration in Spain as an efficient and quality alternative means of dispute resolution.’

AIYON’s involvement in the teaching and preparation of the new generations is part of its hallmark, a fact that Verónica wants to highlight: ‘On the other hand, form Madrid, as from the rest of our offices, we continue to contribute to the teaching of maritime law. In my case, participating as a lecturer in the Master’s degree of both the IME (Spanish Maritime Institute) and the ISDE (Higher Institute of Law and Economics) in the subjects of maritime law and land transport.’

‘In Aiyon we know what it means to be at the side of both maritime and land carriers on a daily basis’, says Enrique Ortiz, partner of the Cadiz office. ‘And we know what it is like to be there for them both in normal circumstances and in urgent situations that require quick action (such as refusals of delivery by receivers, accidents, blocking of the means of transport by the authorities, etc.). What’s more, in exceptional circumstances, such as during the Covid confinement period or during the road transport stoppages and strikes that took place throughout the country between March and April 2022, our customers have always been able to counts on us.’

In fact, the situation in times of strikes and stoppages in the transport sector was not easy for the companies dedicated to land transport, and many of them, due to the convulsions of the time, even suffered damage to their vehicles caused by a group of people who, in favour of the strike during those dates, ‘took it’, in an absolutely vehement manner, against the vehicles in question. In relation to these events, which occurred to a significant number of road haulage companies and vehicles, Enrique can confirm that AIYON has recently managed to obtain, for one of its clients, a favourable ruling in the first instance, subject to appeal, against the Insurance Compensation Consortium, ensuring that concepts such as ‘riot’ and ‘extraordinary risk’ are not emptied of content, thereby rendering ineffective the coverage of claims that correspond to the Insurance Compensation Consortium. Let us not forget that the Consortium collects part of the premiums that insured hauliers pay to their insurance companies.

Asked about the great activity of the Port of Algeciras, our partner in the location, José Domínguez, tells us: ‘The port of Algeciras occupies a pre-eminent position within the Spanish port system. From our office in Algeciras, we provide ‘dockside’ assistance to shipping companies that provide passenger and goods transport services, both containers and roll-on/roll-off cargo in the Strait of Gibraltar, constantly advising not only in the day-to-day handling of all types of cargo and passengers claims, but also in the planning and management phases of the shipping companies to face challenges such as those of the so-called Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE). To this end, we regularly advise on charterparties, slot charters, shipbuilding and ship repair contracts, ancillary contracts and agreements such as stevedoring, confinement, etc. This is a part of the business that I particularly enjoy, as my background as a merchant seafarer is of great help to our clients, as I speak the same language as they do.’

Another of the most important traffics of Algeciras is the supply of fuel to ships, the so-called bunkering. Domínguez indicates in this respect that: ‘Algeciras is one of the most important bunkering ports in the Mediterranean. The maritime traffic through the Strait of Gibraltar, together with the magnificent anchorage of the port, make our port especially attractive for this type of operations. The figures that are handled are very relevant, close to 350,000 tons of oil products to ships, at a rate of approximately 200 ships supplied per month by a fleet of more than 15 barges of different sizes.’

For her part, Zuberoa Elorriaga, AIYON partner in Bilbao, points out that, in their almost 10 years as active partners, the common effort and trajectory has brought them together, allowing them to learn from each other: ‘Together with the rest of the firm’s staff, we form a close-knit team that encourages cooperation between offices and lawyers. It is not an easy sector as we face different challenges every day, with often complex cases and different actors involved, so the best way to work is to support each other and share experiences, which will always result in a better service for our clients.’

Finally, Zuberoa makes special mention of the continuous learning that the firm’s team is committed to pursuing, proof of which is the Postgraduate Course in Aeronautics and Space Law at the Faculty of Law (ICADE) of the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, which she completed in 2021, opening up new areas of activity for the firm.

Listening to its partners, it is clear that in Aiyon Abogados they face this first decade of work and common effort as the beginning of a long and productive professional career looking to the future with optimism.

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