Maritime Collision, Casualty and Compensation Claims
Maritime Collisions & Casualties in Egypt
Soliman Advocates represents shipowners, P&I Clubs, insurers, ship managers, charterers, cargo interests, crew and other maritime parties in disputes and urgent proceedings arising from vessel collisions and major marine casualties in Egypt, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The firm's experience extends from the immediate aftermath of a casualty through investigations, preservation of evidence, vessel arrest and detention, liability proceedings, fatality and personal injury claims, property damage, compensation negotiations and settlement.
Immediate Response to Maritime Casualties
A serious collision may immediately engage multiple legal and operational issues, including preservation of evidence, surveys and expert investigations, crew and witness statements, port and maritime authorities, potential criminal proceedings, vessel detention and security for claims.
Soliman Advocates coordinates the legal response in Egypt while working, where required, with shipowners, P&I interests, surveyors, technical experts, correspondents, agents and foreign counsel.
Collision Liability and Evidence
Determining liability following a maritime collision requires careful consideration of the circumstances of the casualty and the available navigational, technical and documentary evidence.
The firm assists in preserving and evaluating relevant evidence and represents clients in the resulting proceedings before the competent Egyptian courts and authorities.
Vessel Arrest, Detention and Security
A collision may give rise to urgent measures against the vessel involved, including arrest or detention to preserve claims arising from the casualty.
Soliman Advocates acts both for claimants seeking to secure maritime claims and for vessel interests requiring urgent advice concerning detention, security and release.
This allows the firm to address the collision itself together with the arrest and enforcement consequences arising from the casualty, rather than treating them as separate issues.
Fatality, Personal Injury and Compensation Claims
Major maritime casualties may involve loss of life and serious personal injury in addition to damage to vessels and property.
The firm's experience includes representing interests in fatality and personal injury claims, assessing compensation issues and conducting negotiations and court proceedings arising from serious maritime casualties.
Practical Casualty Experience in Egypt
Serious maritime casualties require more than knowledge of substantive maritime law. They frequently demand immediate coordination between court proceedings, maritime and port authorities, technical experts, P&I interests, vessel agents and other parties.
Soliman Advocates combines maritime litigation experience with an understanding of the practical consequences of a casualty for vessels operating in Egyptian waters and transiting the Suez Canal.
Badr Al-Islam Collision
Soliman Advocates acted pro bono for the families of fishermen killed and injured following a major collision in the Red Sea between a Kuwaiti-flagged commercial vessel and the Egyptian fishing vessel Badr Al-Islam, which was stationary and engaged in fishing at the time of the casualty.
The collision resulted in the sinking of the fishing vessel, fatalities among members of her crew and injuries to other fishermen.
Soliman Advocates pursued the legal proceedings arising from the casualty, including matters connected with the detention of the other vessel in Egypt, and represented the victims' interests in the ensuing compensation process.
The matter ultimately resulted in a substantial negotiated compensation settlement for the victims and their families.
The case attracted significant national media attention and was reported at the time as unprecedented in the history of the Egyptian courts.