Inland-waterway law

The lawyers of the Asterias Avocats group act, in advice and litigation, in inland-waterway transport matters, both national and international (standard contracts, CMNI), on behalf of shipowners and their insurers.

The group has contributed, in support, to the drafting of regulatory and legislative texts in inland-waterway transport law for institutional clients, and offers dedicated training in this field. Commercial disputes relating to inland-waterway transport fall squarely within its area of expertise. It also handles navigation-accident cases (allision, collision) and acts in drafting contracts for the sale and purchase of vessels, notably dwelling barges.

The legal framework

International inland-waterway carriage of goods is governed by the 2000 Budapest Convention (CMNI), supplemented in domestic law by the French Transport Code and the standard contracts applicable to inland shipping. Inland-waterway law borrows many concepts from maritime law — carrier's liability, average, insurance — while keeping its own rules, tied to the waterway, its structures and the policing of inland navigation.

The situations we handle

• National and international inland transport (CMNI) and standard contracts
• Commercial litigation of inland shipping
• Navigation accidents: allision, collision, damage to structures
• Sale and purchase of vessels and barges
• Support in drafting texts and training in inland-waterway law

How we work

Inland-waterway law is a benchmark expertise of the group, led by Christian Hübner, arbitrator at the Paris Maritime Arbitration Chamber and a lecturer in inland-waterway law and maritime arbitration. The group advises barge operators, shipowners and insurers in French, English and German, from securing the contract to settling the dispute.

Questions of insurance often accompany an inland-waterway matter. Tell the group about your situation.