The Shipping Lawyer
The Shipping Lawyer Podcast explains maritime law in practical terms. Hosted by a practicing shipping lawyer, it breaks down contracts, claims, charter parties, and carriage issues that shape the industry. Episodes are usually short and focused for busy workdays, with occasional special editions when major headlines arise. It is aimed at people new to shipping as well as those needing a refresher.
Episodes
Season 3 - Episode 6: Detention & Demurrage
Detention and demurrage invoices land on desks every week, and too often the person holding one can’t say what they’re actually being charged for. This episode goes back to basics.Host Alison Cusack breaks down what demurrage, detention and storage each are, why the same words mean different things depending on who’s sending the invoice, and why it matters before you pay. (And no, it’s not about D
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Charterparties (Sign Fast, Think Faster)
The charterparty gets signed at speed. The ops team takes over. And the document sits in a folder until something goes wrong.In this episode, Alison breaks down how to manage charterparty risk well — even when you're moving fast. That means understanding your rider clauses, knowing what to do in the days immediately after signing, and using the life of a fixture to set yourself up better for t
Season 3 - Episode 4 - 100 Days in
THE SHIPPING LAWYER PODCASTSeason 3 · Episode 4 | Show Notes Host: Alison Cusack, Shipping LawyerWe're 100 days into the Gulf Cargo Crisis — and the question has shifted. It's no longer about watching what happens in the Strait of Hormuz. It's about what you're doing with the time you have right now. In this episode, Alison cuts through the noise with a practical framework for tri
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Gulf Cargo Crisis (Part 2) - Crisis Management Is Not A Spectator Sport
Gulf Cargo Crisis — Part 2:Crisis Management Is Not A Spectator SportWe are 18 days into the Gulf Cargo Crisis and the most expensive strategy in freight law is playing out in inboxes everywhere — sitting on it and hoping it resolves itself. In Part 2, Alison Cusack, The Shipping Lawyer breaks down what the situation actually looks like right now, what surcharges and end of voyage declarations rea
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Gulf Cargo Crisis (Part 1)
Gulf Cargo Crisis — Update 1: What Cargo Owners Need to Know Right NowThe Gulf is in crisis. If you have cargo on the water, or you're a freight forwarder with clients who do, this episode is for you.Maritime and shipping lawyer Alison Cusack breaks down exactly what is happening in the Gulf right now, what it means for your cargo, and — critically — what you need to do this week before the wi
Season 3 - Episode 1: Chair Laura DiBella, Federal Maritime Commission
The tides are changing in ocean shipping — and Season 3 of The Shipping Lawyer kicks off at the top. Alison Cusack sits down with the new Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission, Laura DiBella, to discuss detention and demurrage, fairness, transparency, and the balance between enforcement and collaboration. Whether you’re a shipper, carrier, trucker, or just maritime-curious, this episode deliver
Season 2 - Episode 12: Looking after yourself at Christmas (with Andrew from Lifeline)
Christmas can be a tricky time of year for those away from friends and family, whether at sea or other reasons. I decided to bring on special guest Andrew from Lifeline Australia to talk about mental health and some simple strategies for those who may need a few extra guardrails at this time of year. No different than a ship needing two tugs at a particularly tricky port. All content is intended f
Season 2 - Episode 11: MEPC / Net Zero Framework - Vote delay (with Declan Bush and Namrata Nadkarni)
In this episode of The Shipping Lawyer, Alison Cusack is joined by Namrata Nadkarni (CEO, Intent Communications) andDeclan Bush (Senior Reporter at Lloyd's List Intelligence) and to unpack the IMO MEPC delayed vote, why it happened, and what it signals for the future of maritime regulation.We cut through the headlines to explain the process, politics, and practical impact of the delay, includi
Season2 - Episode 10: Black Swans are dead, long live Black Swans!
In this episode, Alison Cusack challenges the old idea of “black swan events” in shipping. Over the last five years, the industry has accumulated enough knowledge, data, and legal frameworks that very few risks are genuinely unforeseeable.Using three high-profile incidents — the Dali collision with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge (2024), the Ever Given blockage of the Suez Canal (2021), and t
Season 2 - Episode 9: Section 301 US / China Port Fees: Why the Pause Is Not the Point
In this episode of The Shipping Lawyer, Alison Cusack unpacks the proposed Section 301 US / China-related port fees — what they are, how they came to be, and why the current 12-month pause should not be mistaken for a policy retreat.These are not ordinary port charges. They are trade measures, applied through maritime access, with the potential to reshape cost allocation, routing decisions, and co
Season 2 - Episode 8: "Good Change" with Shevonne Joyce (Principal Consultant, electro: consulting)
What does good change actually look like — especially in industries where risk, legacy systems, and “we’ve always done it this way” are part of the furniture?In this episode, I’m joined by Shevonne for a practical, human conversation about change management — not the glossy framework version, but the kind that shows up as a junk room, a messy inbox, or a box of decisions no one wants to open.We ta
Season 2 - Episode 7: General Average (a deeper dive)
General Average, York Antwerp Rules, and Why the Jason Still MattersGeneral Average is one of the oldest principles in maritime law — and one of the least understood until something goes wrong.In this episode of The Shipping Lawyer, we take a deep dive into how General Average actually works in practice, why the York Antwerp Rules matter more than many realise, and how a century-old U.S. Supreme C
Season 2 - Episode 6: Case Study - ONE Henry Hudson
In this episode of The Shipping Lawyer, Alison Cusack breaksdown the late-November 2025 fire onboard the container vessel ONE Henry Hudson in the Port of Los Angeles — an incident that triggered a major firefighting and salvage response and ultimately led to a declaration of GeneralAverage.We walk through what happened, why it mattered, and thereal-world legal and commercial consequences for carri
Season 2 - Episode 5: Captain David Ferguson (Cairns Harbour Master, MSQ)
In this episode of The Shipping Lawyer Podcast, I sit down with Captain David Ferguson, Cairns Regional Harbour Master (Maritime Safety Queensland, part of the Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland), to explore what it really takes to oversee one of Australia’s most diverse and environmentally sensitive maritime regions.Captain Ferguson begins by unpacking the day-to-day role of the Re
Season 2 - Episode 4: Brian Glick (CEO of Chain.io)
In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Glick, CEO of supply chain technology company Chain.io, to unpack a deceptively simple idea: having access to your data matters — but you don’t need all of it.We explore why data accessibility is more important than data volume, how too much information can actually slow decision-making, and where businesses should be focusing their attention to get real value
Season 2 - Episode 3: Angus Mitchell (Chief Commissioner ATSB)
In this episode, we welcome Angus Mitchell, Chief Commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), for a candid and wide-ranging discussion on the role, impact, and future of Australia’s national transport safety investigator.Angus opens with a clear and compelling elevator pitch on what the ATSB actually does, cutting through the assumptions to explain its independent role in improv
Season 2 - Episode 2: Dorothea Ioannou (CEO of American P&I Club)
In this episode, we’re joined by Dorothea from American P&I Club, diving into the ins and outs of marine insurance and the ever-evolving shipping industry.We start with an industry overview, where Dorothea explains the critical role of a P&I Club and what sets American P&I Club apart in supporting shipowners and operators. She then walks us through emerging risks in shipping today, hig
Season 2 - Episode 1: Steven Jones and the Secret Santas of the Sea
Episode 1 — Steven Jones and The Secret Santas of the SeaIn the kickoff to our 12 Days of Christmas special, we sit down with Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index and place front and centre Seafarers - the true Secret Santas of the Sea.Steven shares the story behind the creation of the Index, why measuring seafarer wellbeing matters more than ever, and the realities facing crew m
Episode 9 - Who is picking up the bill?
In this episode, we move beyond tariffs to explore the fine print that truly shapes global trade — shipping contracts and Incoterms®. These aren’t just technical details; they’re the backbone of every international deal, deciding who pays for what, who carries the risk, and how companies can protect themselves when new tariffs or disruptions hit.We break down:The key elements of a solid shipping c
Episode 8: Tariffs (Everything Old is New Again) - with special guest
What do tariffs really mean for global trade, shipping, and your wallet?In this episode, I sit down with a former OECD economist to unpack the true impact of tariffs — far beyond the political headlines.We cover:🔹 Why tariffs act more like a hidden tax on consumers in the long run🔹 How governments use tariffs as bargaining chips in trade wars🔹 The ripple effects on shipping, logistics, and global
Episode 7: De Minimis Ends
Welcome to Part 1 of our three-part series on global shipping shocks. In this episode, we unpack the U.S. decision to end the de minimis exemption — a policy that previously allowed small packages under $800 to enter duty-free.We explore:What de minimis was and why it existed.The impact on consumers and Australian businesses, from higher costs to canceled U.S. orders.Global reactions, including ov
Episode 6: Case Study - Containers Overboard
In this episode, we dive into the challenges of containers going overboard and the ripple effects across the shipping and logistics industry. We take a trip down memory lane, revisiting prior incidents and lessons learned, then explore the practical and legal considerations that follow. Topics include:General AverageDetermining whether you are a party on the Bill of Lading (B/L)Key Incoterms and t
Episode 5: Flagged and Detained - Port State Control
Flagged and Detained: Port State Control in ActionWhat happens when a ship doesn’t meet international standards? In this episode, we dive into the world of Port State Control (PSC) — the safety net that keeps substandard ships out of our waters.We explore:What Port State Control is, and why it existsThe role of the Tokyo MOU in the Asia-Pacific regionCommon ship deficiencies and why they matterSpi
Episode 4: Flag State
🎙️ Episode Title: Episode 4: Flag State📅 Release Date: 16 July 2025🎧 Duration: 23minsDescription:In this episode, we dive into the concept of flag states and their vital role in the global maritime industry. What does it mean for a ship to be registered under a certain flag? Why are Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands the top choices for many shipowners?We also explore the influence of key i
Special episode: ILA Strikes - eye of the storm (15 October 2024)
Another special episode - talking about the situation post ILA Strike pause.
Overall - my take is to treat it like an opportunity to get squared away on the worst case scenario they strike again!
#TheShippingLawyer
Special Edition: ILA Strikes (30 Sept 2024)
Special edition of The Shipping Lawyer podcast - ILA strikes.
This was recorded and uploaded 30 September 2024 (Australian time).
We'll be discussing how the ILA strikes can impact freight forwarders and shippers (and importers):
- Force Majeure
- Insurance
- Contracts
- Export D&D
Disclaimer: Not intended to be relied on as legal advice. This does not create a lawyer / client relationsh
Episode 3: The sequel to the Titanic: The IMO
In this deep dive into the world of maritime law and international regulations, we explore the fascinating and often complex realm of shipping law, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). We also tackle a rather unusual topic: the criminalization of life-saving efforts at sea, and look ahead to the eagerly awaited Titan
Episode 2: Icebergs and Acronyms
Welcome to Episode 2 where we talk about the impact of one iceberg on the international legal framework known as shipping and maritime law. The RMS Titantic was more impactful than a 20 year + debate over a door.
We discuss terminology and the industry's love of acronyms (e.g. SOLAS, COLREGS, MLC) and how public international law and private commercial law overlap and sometimes it matters (a
Episode 1: Welcome Aboard
The pilot (pun intended) episode of the newest maritime and shipping podcast "The Shipping Lawyer" hosted by none other than... the Shipping Lawyer Alison Cusack.
An overview of the topics and guests yet to come as well as a brief bio of Alison's career to date.
Welcome aboard and safe sailing!
(Produced by Janeway Communications)
