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 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
5. What is 'concealed damage' in cargo claims and why is it problematic? → Damage not apparent on delivery that is discovered upon unpacking
6. When must a cargo claimant provide notice of non-apparent damage to preserve a COGSA claim? → Within three days of delivery
7. 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
8. Which COGSA exception excuses a carrier from liability for cargo damage? → Act of God
9. Which U.S. statute governs bills of lading for international cargo shipments from U.S. ports? → Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA)
10. Under the Clean Water Act, what are 'discharge of dredged material' permits regulated by? → Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit program
11. 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
12. Which international convention governs marine pollution from ships, including oil, chemicals, and garbage? → MARPOL 73/78
13. Which type of maritime lien arises from a vessel collision? → A tort lien
14. What is 'inherent vice' as a defense to cargo damage claims? → A defect or characteristic of the cargo itself that causes deterioration
15. 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
16. Which US agency has primary enforcement authority over vessel oil pollution in US waters? → US Coast Guard (USCG)
17. 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
18. What is 'freight pre-paid' on a bill of lading? → Freight has already been paid and cannot be recovered even if cargo is lost
19. What is 'assignment of earnings' in ship finance? → A lender's security interest in the vessel's freight earnings and charter hire payments
20. Under U.S. maritime law, what is the time limit for filing cargo claims under COGSA? → 1 year
21. Which of the following is NOT a primary function of a bill of lading? → A warranty of cargo seaworthiness
22. 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
23. 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
24. What is 'average' in marine insurance terminology? → A partial loss of or damage to the insured subject matter
25. Under a bareboat (demise) charter, who is responsible for operating the vessel? → The charterer, who takes full possession and control
26. What is a 'safe port' warranty in a time charter? → A charterer's undertaking that nominated ports are safe for the vessel
27. What is required for a maritime lien to attach under the Federal Maritime Lien Act? → A maritime contract or tort connected to the vessel with no requirement to record
28. Under US law, who is presumed to have authority to bind a vessel for necessaries? → The master, owner, or managing agent
29. Which US Act criminalizes the discharge of oil by vessels in US waters and imposes criminal penalties on officers? → Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS)
30. How many UN Member States are IMO members as of 2020? → 173