Category: Meet Blank Rome

Now Available: Eighth Edition of Time Charters

The eighth edition of Time Charters is now available, fully revised to provide a comprehensive guide for professionals navigating time charter agreements. Proudly co-authored by Blank Rome partner Thomas H. Belknap, Jr., who serves as co-chair of the firm’s Maritime group, and senior counsel John D. Kimball, alongside Sir Andrew Baker and Julian Kenny, this acclaimed work is recognized as the leading authority on time charter law. It serves shipping lawyers, shipowners, charterers, P&I Club members, and insurers by delivering clear analysis and practical solutions.

  • Offers current, in-depth legal analysis from industry professionals
  • Widely relied upon by practitioners, shipowners, charterers, and insurers globally
  • Provides thorough coverage designed for practical problem resolution

To purchase a copy of Time Charters, visit Time Charters – 8th Edition.

Note from the Editor

The maritime industry, as a whole, is extremely collegial and driven by personal relationships. I have been very lucky to have developed so many personal friendships that grew from business relationships. In particular, as a maritime lawyer, I have been fortunate to have travelled to many places, near and far, and have worked with many impressive people across the globe. One of those people was Jim Lawrence. For those who did not have the pleasure of knowing Jim, he was, among other things, the founder of MTI Network, and led Marine Money’s and the Connecticut Maritime Association’s annual conferences.

I first became acquainted with Jim when he emceed the annual Admirals’ Dinner at SUNY Maritime College. Laughter came easy while Jim spoke. Jim’s accomplishments and reputation preceded him well before I got to know him better in 2015 while we both were working on the El Faro matter. The knowledge and guidance Jim provided to his clients during times of crisis was invaluable. Jim’s smile and sunny disposition were, to me, his hallmark during those times of crisis. 

On behalf of the Blank Rome Maritime team, thank you Jim for your friendship. Our crew is one less, we sail shorthanded, and so we mourn, but to Jim we say:

That Hand is you, Old Sailor. 

And you’ll be sailing out on Heavenly Seas. 

May the wind be ever at your back. 

Fair weather, and God Speed.

– William R. Bennett III

Mainbrace Editors

William R. Bennett III, Co-Editor
Emma C. Jones,
Co-Editor
Holli B. Packer, Associate Editor

Spotlight on …

Get to know Blank Rome Maritime team members Vanessa C. DiDomenico and Luke M. Reid.

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RANKINGS

Chambers USA 2025 Honors Blank Rome Maritime Attorneys and Practices

Chambers USA 2025 nationally ranked Blank Rome’s Maritime practice and attorneys in the following areas:

  • Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Finance
  • Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (New York) – #1 ranking
  • Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (outside New York) – #1 ranking
  • Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Regulatory – #1 ranking
  • Offshore Energy

The firm’s ranked Maritime attorneys include: Thomas H. Belknap, Michael Bell, William R. Bennett, Jeanne Grasso, John D. Kimball, Keith B. Letourneau, Richard Singleton, Anthony Salgado, Douglas Shoemaker, Matthew J. Thomas, and Jonathan K. Waldron. Read More »

Blank Rome Global Leader: Chambers Global 2025 Ranks Blank Rome Attorneys and Shipping, Energy, International Trade, and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practices

Chambers Global 2025 recognized Blank Rome as a global leader in Shipping: Litigation, as well as Maritime partner John D. Kimball describing him as “an experienced practitioner who handles complex shipping disputes. His practice sees him work on commercial and environmental litigation, among other disputes.” Read More »

Continue reading “RANKINGS”

NEWS

Trump Administration Resource Hub

We invite you to visit our Trump Administration Resource Hub to explore our thought leadership provided by a team of attorneys dedicated to providing comprehensive analysis and actionable insights to help navigate the complexities and opportunities presented by the administration’s Executive Orders, policies, and regulatory changes. Read More »

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Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team (“SWERT”)

SWERT is an interdisciplinary group of Blank Rome attorneys and government relations professionals with decades of experience helping companies and individuals recover from severe weather events, including hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides, snowstorms, earthquakes, and tornadoes. We are ready to assist those in the path of storms and other severe weather events. 

Learn more at blankrome.com/SWERT.

Note from the Editor

William R. Bennett III, Editor

When you start at the bottom there is a lot of room for growth!

“We now have promise that the shipbuilding industry will flourish again, and that the skills possessed by its trained personnel will not be lost to the industry. We have promise that the American Merchant Marine will be equipped with the number and types of vessels necessary for our international trade and our national security.” That statement was included in a message published by President Harry S. Truman on August 18, 1948. 

WWII led to a massive shipbuilding program in the United States, producing over 5,500 vessels over a few years time, including the famous Liberty ships. By 1948 the fleet had been reduced to around 2,500 ships. And, notwithstanding President Truman’s statement in 1948, seven years later, the American merchant marine deep-sea fleet was cut in half to 1075 ships. 

Today, the United States builds about 0.2 percent of the world’s tonnage annually, while China, Japan, and Korea build 90 percent of the world’s tonnage. 

The infrastructure, financing, legislation, and training that will be required to resurrect shipbuilding in the United States will need sustained unwavering support from federal, state, and local governments with significant cooperation from the private sector. Absent an “all-hands-on-deck” movement that lasts for a decade or more, history will repeat itself and American ship building will not progress. 

Blank Rome Maritime is excited for the future of shipbuilding in the United States and has a team prepared to provide legal services to clients financing and building new vessels.

RANKINGS

Blank Rome Global Leader: Chambers Global 2025 Ranks Blank Rome Attorneys and Shipping, Energy, International Trade, and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practices

Chambers Global 2025 recognized Blank Rome as a global leader in Shipping: Litigation, as well as Maritime partner John D. Kimball describing him as “an experienced practitioner who handles complex shipping disputes. His practice sees him work on commercial and environmental litigation, among other disputes.” Read More »

Continue reading “RANKINGS”

NEWS

Trump Administration Resource Hub

We invite you to visit our Trump Administration Resource Hub to explore our thought leadership provided by a team of attorneys dedicated to providing comprehensive analysis and actionable insights to help navigate the complexities and opportunities presented by the administration’s Executive Orders, policies, and regulatory changes. Read More »

Continue reading “NEWS”