Maritime liens: risks and protection strategies for ship buyers

Stuart Plotnek and Konstantina Zariou, of CJC, warn of some hidden risks for ship buyers when maritime liens remain in force

A maritime lien is a powerful legal claim within maritime law that allows a creditor to enforce a claim against a vessel itself, regardless of who owns it at the time of enforcement. These liens survive changes in ownership unless the sale has occurred through a judicial auction, where liens are typically extinguished.