Shipping Lawyer Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Shipping Lawyer facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following would NOT be allowable as a general average sacrifice under the York-Antwerp Rules? → Damage resulting from ordinary wear and tear of the vessel's machinery during the voyage
2. Is the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development supported by the IMO? → Yes
3. What is the 'ballast water management' requirement under the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention? → Vessels must treat ballast water to remove invasive species before discharging it in port
4. What does 'general average' require of cargo owners whose goods were undamaged during a maritime emergency? → They must contribute to the losses incurred for the common benefit
5. What distinguishes a 'straight' bill of lading from an 'order' bill of lading? → A straight bill is consigned to a named party and is non-negotiable
6. What is 'concealed damage' in cargo claims and why is it problematic? → Damage not apparent on delivery that is discovered upon unpacking
7. When must a cargo claimant provide notice of non-apparent damage to preserve a COGSA claim? → Within three days of delivery
8. What does 'particular average' mean in marine cargo insurance? → A partial loss of cargo that falls on a single interest, not shared among all cargo owners
9. A vessel collides with another ship due to both vessels' negligence. Under the admiralty rule of proportionate fault, how are damages allocated? → Each vessel is liable in proportion to its degree of fault
10. Which COGSA exception excuses a carrier from liability for cargo damage? → Act of God
11. Which U.S. statute governs bills of lading for international cargo shipments from U.S. ports? → Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA)
12. Under the Clean Water Act, what are 'discharge of dredged material' permits regulated by? → Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit program
13. What is a USCG 'detention order' and what does it mean for a vessel? → An order prohibiting the vessel from departing US waters until deficiencies are corrected
14. Which international convention governs marine pollution from ships, including oil, chemicals, and garbage? → MARPOL 73/78
15. What is a 'non-vessel operating common carrier' (NVOCC) and how does its liability differ from a freight forwarder? → An NVOCC issues its own bills of lading and assumes carrier liability to shippers
16. Which type of maritime lien arises from a vessel collision? → A tort lien
17. What is 'inherent vice' as a defense to cargo damage claims? → A defect or characteristic of the cargo itself that causes deterioration
18. Under COGSA, when does the carrier's period of responsibility begin and end? → From tackle-to-tackle — when goods are loaded to when they are discharged
19. Which US agency has primary enforcement authority over vessel oil pollution in US waters? → US Coast Guard (USCG)
20. What is 'subrogation' in the context of cargo insurance? → The right of an insurer to pursue the responsible third party after paying a cargo claim
21. What is 'freight pre-paid' on a bill of lading? → Freight has already been paid and cannot be recovered even if cargo is lost
22. What is 'assignment of earnings' in ship finance? → A lender's security interest in the vessel's freight earnings and charter hire payments
23. Under U.S. maritime law, what is the time limit for filing cargo claims under COGSA? → 1 year
24. Which of the following is NOT a primary function of a bill of lading? → A warranty of cargo seaworthiness
25. What effect does a 'no-lien' clause in a charter party have on a supplier's maritime lien? → It can defeat the lien if the supplier had actual notice of the clause
26. Which type of bill of lading transfers title to the goods and allows the holder to demand delivery from the carrier? → Negotiable (order) bill of lading
27. Which party bears the initial burden of proof in a COGSA cargo damage claim? → The cargo claimant must prove delivery in good order and redelivery in damaged condition
28. What is 'average' in marine insurance terminology? → A partial loss of or damage to the insured subject matter
29. Under a bareboat (demise) charter, who is responsible for operating the vessel? → The charterer, who takes full possession and control
30. What is a 'safe port' warranty in a time charter? → A charterer's undertaking that nominated ports are safe for the vessel