Attorney-at-Law
Human Activities at Sea

Legal services for transport, navigation, and maritime activities

The LOONIS QUÉLEN Law Office operates in the fields of maritime law and law of the sea, providing both advisory and litigation services. The Office assists its clients with a wide range of issues, from maritime transport regulations to safety, security, seafarers’ labor law, and commercial disputes.

With a presence in both France and Switzerland and an active involvement in international maritime networks, the Office offers legal support tailored to the technical, human, and environmental challenges of the modern maritime sector.


The Office offers the following Services:

Maritime Labour


The Office assists its clients with matters related to seafarers’ labour law, including conditions of employment, onboard safety, the responsibilities of shipowners or operators, and the prevention of occupational hazards and workplace accidents.

Particular attention is given to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) and its implementation mechanisms in both individual and collective employment relations on board, serving the interests of employers and seafarers alike, within a complex international framework.

Safety & Security


The Office advises on matters related to ship safety and the protection of persons on board, including accident prevention, emergency response management, and compliance with international standards (ISM Code, SOLAS).

It also assists Clients with maritime security issues, such as the prevention of unlawful acts at sea, the implementation of the ISPS Code, and reporting obligations in ports and sensitive aras. These services are provided to both private operators and public authorities, including port authorities and operators of specialized vessels, notably within the context of energy projects or critical infrastructure.

Law of the Sea


The Office assists its clients with matters related to freedom of navigation, maritime boundary delimitation, jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and marine environmental protection.

It also closely follows developments in international norms and their implementation, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the High Seas Treaty on Marine Biodiversity (BBNJ). The Office monitors the growing implications of the law of the sea in debates concerning energy, floating nuclear technologies, as well as issues surrounding the governance of maritime spaces and the conservation of marine resources.

Yachting, Transport & Disputes


The Office advises and represents clients - including owners and operators of yachts and pleasure vessels - in disputes related to recreational navigation, such as liability claims, casualties, construction or charter contracts, registration, taxation, and insurance matters.

It also handles commercial maritime disputes, including insurance contracts, conflicts between shipowners and charterers, and contractual issues related to shipping, cargo transport, and port logistics.

Maritime Network

The LOONIS QUÉLEN Law Office is actively involved in several professional networks related to maritime law, law of the sea, ocean governance, and nuclear law. This engagement ensures continuous technical and legal monitoring, contributes to the development of international regulatory frameworks, and provides clients with legal support informed by institutional practices in these complex fields.

CMI


An international umbrella organization founded in Antwerp in 1897, the Comité Maritime International (CMI) works to unify maritime law.

Maître Dr. Loonis Quélen contributes to its work through the international working group on maritime cybercrime and the French Maritime Law Association, actively participating in the development and interpretation of applicable legal standards.

French MLA


The French Maritime Law Association brings together nearly 400 maritime law practitioners.

Maître Dr. Loonis Quélen founded and chairs the permanent “Energy” commission, dedicated to legal issues related to transport, the offshore sector, and the energy transition. This involvement strengthens the Firm’s focus on the intersections between environmental matters, regulation, and maritime transport.

PCG


The Geneva branch of the international Propeller Club network brings together stakeholders from the shipping and maritime trade sectors.

Maître Dr. Loonis Quélen serves on the executive committee, actively contributing to the engagement of the regional maritime community and the sharing of professional best practices.

UMMU


A Geneva-based association active in international maritime cooperation, the Universal Maritime et Marine Union is committed to a balanced approach to the social, environmental, and economic challenges related to the sea.

Maître Dr. Loonis Quélen contributes to its work with a focus on international law and sustainable ocean governance.

Sfen


The French Nuclear Energy Society (Sfen) is the leading reference in France for civil nuclear energy.

While it does not yet address maritime applications, this area is becoming strategic with the rise of nuclear-powered vessels and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs). These developments call for dialogue between nuclear experts and maritime law professionals, in response to growing legal and technical challenges.

ANAD


The National Association of Lawyers and Trainee Lawyers Holding a PhD in Law brings together law doctors and doctoral candidates, lawyers and trainee lawyers within a national and international network.

It promotes exchange, mentoring, professional integration, and recognition of the PhD in law. The association also organizes events, publications, and institutional partnerships, and works to highlight academic excellence in legal practice and to strengthen ties between universities and the legal profession.

Looking for legal support in maritime law?
The LOONIS QUÉLEN Law Office provides rigorous advice and representation in France, Switzerland, and internationally.

Contact the Office