– Pratik Bijlani –
On 3rd July, Khaitan Legal Associates and Quadraant Legal marked a significant milestone in India’s maritime legal landscape with the launch of their dedicated marine and admiralty practice at Hotel Trident, Mumbai. The collaboration aims to deliver clear, practical, and industry-aligned solutions for stakeholders in the shipping insurance and maritime sectors, with a strong emphasis on supporting the Maritime India Vision 2030 by the Government of India.
The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony in the presence of chief guest Mr Sanjay Bhatia, Upa Lokayukta, Maharashtra State, and Guest of Honour Mr Ash Mohomad, Deputy Director General at DG of Shipping. Eminent figures from the maritime and insurance industries, including Capt Vivek Bhandarkar, Secretary General at CMMI; Mr. Pankaj Kapoor, Founder and Managing Partner of Quadraant Legal; Mr Sakate Khaitan, Senior Partner, Khaitan Legal Associates; and Capt MP Bhasin, Master – Chairman, CMMI; Capt SM Halbe, CEO of MASSA; and Capt Rajesh Tandon, CEO of FOSMA, joined to celebrate the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Bhatia lauded the initiative as a progressive step toward strengthening legal frameworks in India’s maritime sector. He highlighted the importance of unified representation on the global stage to bolster India’s maritime influence. “Maritime India Vision 2030 emphasizes unified representation abroad. An India Maritime Centre is key to achieving this goal,” he said. Drawing from his experience at international conferences, he underscored the need for collaboration, mediation, and innovation to support India’s aspirations in the maritime space.
Mr Mohomad addressed critical gaps in India’s marine insurance sector, stressing the need for self-reliance. “Despite having more than 1,500 ships, 11,000 km of coastline, and 200 ports, India still lacks a Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club. This gap needs to be addressed,” he said. He further added, “The Honourable Finance Minister at the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 emphasized four reasons for an Indian P&I Club: protect domestic vessel liabilities, reduce reliance on foreign insurers, improve arbitration standards, and create a domestic foothold in this specialized market.”
The event featured two engaging panel discussions addressing key issues in India’s maritime landscape. The first, moderated by Capt KD Bahl, focused on Redefining the Role of P&I Clubs in a Volatile Maritime World. Industry leaders emphasized India’s dependence on Western P&I clubs and discussed the urgent need to establish a robust indigenous Protection and Indemnity framework. They highlighted how a domestic P&I entity could support Indian shipowners, particularly smaller operators, by offering equitable coverage and fostering self-reliance in marine insurance.
The second panel, titled Cyber Security and Digital Resilience in Maritime Operations, shed light on the growing digital threats facing the maritime sector. Moderator Mr Sakate Khaitan and experts stressed the critical importance of developing homegrown technologies and strengthening cyber defences to safeguard ports, vessels, and maritime infrastructure. The discussion underscored collaboration and innovation as essential strategies to ensure operational resilience in an increasingly automated global maritime ecosystem.
The evening concluded with networking, dinner, and a renewed sense of purpose among industry leaders to collaborate for a sustainable and secure maritime future. The partnership between Khaitan Legal Associates and Quadraant Legal promises to play a vital role in navigating the complexities of the maritime domain and delivering value-driven legal support for the industry.
Marex Media