More than 40 Bahraini lawyers were introduced to the essentials of maritime law during a seminar hosted by the General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) and Hassan Radhi & Associates law firm at the Gulf Hotel.

At the event held last week under the patronage of GOP chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, the lawyers were encouraged to consider becoming specialists in the field so as to meet an expected increase in demand.

Shaikh Daij said the seminar was an important step towards Bahrain being internationally recognised as a maritime centre.

"The availability of excellent lawyers conversant in maritime law will be critical to the continued economic growth and standing of the Khalifa Bin Salman Port and to boost the kingdom's economic status on a regional and international level in accordance with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030," he said.

"Bahrain is working towards opening a ship registry in the very near future and this will increase the demand for maritime law specialists, whose services can be utilised to protect the interests of stakeholders," Shaikh Daij added.

The services of a maritime lawyer would be essential for ship registration, mortgage, deletion and transcript. Legal disputes relating to carriage of goods, charter-parties, insurance claims, arrest of ships and seafarers' rights and claims and all other related issues would also require lawyers conversant with maritime law.