This article was first published in Naftemporiki.

The New Code of Private Maritime Law enacted by Law 5020/2023 (the “New Code”), which came into force on 1 May 2023 (with the exception of Articles 4 to 9 concerning the digitisation of the ship registry, which will be in force from 1 November 2023), is an important step towards the modernisation of Greek Maritime Law. The New Code, which replaced the previous Code (Law 3816/1958), seeks to simplify the legal framework for the operation and financing of Greek vessels and align Greek maritime law with international practices. Below is a summary of some of the most important amendments introduced by the New Code and the impact they are expected to have on Greek shipping.Continue Reading New Code of Private Maritime Law – Maritime law in the 21st century

The Merchant Shipping (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill was read in the Singapore Parliament for the first time on 19 November 2018.

The Bill proposes to make a number of significant amendments to Singapore’s merchant shipping legislation. These include:

  1. enacting the International Convention on Salvage 1989 as part of Singapore law; and
  2. adopting the 1996 Protocol to amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976.

The Bill is expected to be debated in parliament over the coming weeks. A further update will follow if the Bill is passed.Continue Reading Significant amendments in the pipeline to Singapore’s Merchant Shipping Act

The British Chamber of Shipping has published guidelines to the UK Bribery Act 2010 (the “Act”), which came into force on 1 July 2011. The purpose of the guidelines is stated as being “to provide general background and highlight points to be taken into account when considering issues raised by the Bribery Act”.

The guidance