Marine Environment

Troutman Sanders attorneys have represented clients domiciled in the United States and abroad in vessel pollution incidents affecting the navigable waters of the United States. We maintain an extensive marine practice that provides advice and representation to owners of tankers, barges, shore side facilities and insurers on the intricate interplay of state and federal technical requirements and liability regimes. This representation includes proven litigation expertise at all levels of federal trial and appellate practice, including the Supreme Court of the United States. Our maritime attorneys are also active in environmental issues arising from agency rulemaking proceedings at the United States Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and before the environmental agencies of several coastal states of the United States. Our experience extends to advice on response to vessel and pipeline pollution incidents. Examples of past representations include:

• Successful constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court of the United States to state environmental regulations affecting vessel equipment training and operations;
• Counseling clients from major maritime nations on vessel structural and operating requirements under the Oil Pollution Act and related federal statutes;
• Advising insurers and vessel owners on liabilities for pollution incidents under state and federal statutes;
• Legislative representation before the Congress of the United States on vessel safety and navigational infrastructure issues; and
• Reviewing oil and chemical pollution response plans for compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.