Guiding Vessels Through Legal Waters
Our mission is to provide clear, thoughtful maritime law guidance for shipping companies operating in Vietnamese waters
Return HomeAbout Aurantex
Aurantex was established to address a need in the Vietnamese maritime sector — the need for accessible legal guidance that understands both international shipping conventions and the specific requirements of Vietnamese port operations. Located in Da Nang, a city with deep maritime heritage and one of Vietnam's busiest container ports, our practice focuses on the documentation, compliance, and dispute issues that arise in shipping and cargo operations.
The firm was founded by maritime law practitioners who recognized that shipping companies, cargo interests, and vessel operators often face documentation challenges and regulatory complexities that require specialized legal knowledge. Vietnamese waters present particular considerations — the interaction between international maritime conventions and Vietnamese domestic law, the requirements of port state control, and the documentary standards expected by Vietnamese customs and maritime authorities.
Our approach centers on careful document review and practical regulatory guidance. Bills of lading, charter party agreements, and cargo insurance certificates each carry specific legal implications under Vietnamese and international law. Port compliance involves navigating ISM Code requirements, ISPS security protocols, and MARPOL environmental standards as they apply in Vietnamese ports. Maritime casualties require coordination with P&I clubs, marine surveyors, and classification societies while addressing Vietnamese maritime code provisions.
The practice handles matters for shipowners, charterers, freight forwarders, cargo interests, and marine insurers. We work with both Vietnamese shipping companies and foreign vessel operators calling at Vietnamese ports. Our clients value direct communication and legal guidance that considers the commercial realities of shipping operations alongside regulatory requirements.
Aurantex maintains working relationships with P&I clubs, hull insurers, classification societies, and marine survey organizations. These connections facilitate coordination when maritime incidents occur and time-sensitive matters need addressing. The firm stays current with developments in Vietnamese maritime regulations and international shipping conventions that affect our clients' operations.
Our Legal Team
Tran Nguyen
Senior Maritime Counsel
Advises on bill of lading documentation and charter party agreements, with particular focus on Vietnamese maritime code compliance and Hague-Visby Rules application.
Le Phuong
Casualty & Claims Advisor
Handles maritime casualty matters including cargo damage claims, general average declarations, and vessel collision disputes. Coordinates with P&I clubs and marine surveyors.
Vo Hung
Port Compliance Specialist
Provides guidance on Vietnamese port state requirements, flag state inspections, ISM and ISPS Code compliance, and MARPOL environmental regulations for vessels calling Vietnamese ports.
Professional Standards & Practice Approach
Legal Ethics & Professional Conduct
The practice adheres to professional conduct standards established by the Vietnamese bar and maintains professional indemnity coverage. Client confidentiality is protected in accordance with legal professional privilege principles.
Document Review Protocol
Bills of lading and shipping documents are reviewed against applicable international conventions and Vietnamese regulatory requirements. Documentation review considers carrier liability limitations, freight payment terms, and delivery obligations.
Data Protection & Confidentiality
Client information and shipping documentation are handled in accordance with data protection principles. Access to sensitive commercial information is restricted to personnel directly involved in the matter.
Regulatory Knowledge Maintenance
The practice monitors developments in Vietnamese maritime regulations, international shipping conventions, and port state control requirements. Team members participate in maritime law continuing education and industry seminars.
Maritime Law Knowledge & Expertise
Vietnamese Maritime Code & Port Regulations
Vietnamese maritime law establishes the framework for shipping operations in Vietnamese waters, addressing vessel registration, port entry requirements, cargo handling protocols, and maritime labor standards. The Vietnamese Maritime Code sets forth provisions governing bills of lading, charter parties, collision liability, salvage operations, and general average. Port regulations issued by the Vietnam Maritime Administration address safety management systems, security protocols, and environmental protection requirements for vessels calling at Vietnamese ports. Understanding how these Vietnamese regulations interact with international maritime conventions is fundamental to advising clients on shipping documentation and port compliance matters.
International Shipping Conventions & Standards
The Hague-Visby Rules govern bills of lading and carrier liability for cargo damage in international shipping. These rules establish the minimum obligations of carriers and the maximum limitations on liability. The Hamburg Rules and Rotterdam Rules represent alternative frameworks, though the Hague-Visby Rules remain widely applied. The ISM Code addresses safety management for ship operations and pollution prevention. The ISPS Code establishes port security requirements. MARPOL annexes regulate vessel emissions and discharge of pollutants. Understanding how Vietnam implements these international instruments through domestic law allows proper assessment of documentation compliance and liability exposure.
Cargo Documentation & Commercial Terms
Bills of lading serve multiple functions in international shipping — as receipts for cargo, documents of title, and evidence of the contract of carriage. The distinction between clean and claused bills affects letter of credit compliance under UCP provisions. Charter party agreements establish the terms between shipowner and charterer, with different allocation of risk and responsibility under voyage charters versus time charters. Sea waybills and electronic bill of lading systems offer alternatives to traditional paper documentation. Cargo insurance certificates provide evidence of coverage and are often required for letter of credit transactions. Proper review of these documents addresses freight payment terms, laytime and demurrage calculations, and delivery obligations.
Maritime Casualty Investigation & Claims
When cargo damage or vessel casualty occurs, time-sensitive investigation is required given short limitation periods under maritime law. Marine survey reports document the extent and cause of damage. P&I clubs provide liability coverage for shipowners while hull insurers cover vessel damage. General average declarations invoke contribution from all cargo interests when extraordinary sacrifice is made to save the common maritime adventure. Collision cases require determination of fault allocation under collision regulations. Salvage operations may give rise to salvage awards based on salved property value and degree of danger. Understanding the interaction between Vietnamese maritime code provisions and international conventions governing these matters allows proper assessment of liability and claims handling.
Discuss Your Maritime Law Matter
Whether you need documentation review, casualty support, or compliance guidance, our team is available to discuss your shipping law requirements.
Contact Our Team