CBMU Fall Conference 2020

President's Report & Committees Reports

2:15 – 2:35 p.m.

2019 Worldwide Canadian Marine Figures. Highlights of the 2020 IUMI Conference

Matthew Lewis, CBMU President, CNA

Legal Update

Shelley Chapelski, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Shelley Chapelski is the leader of a team of experienced shipping lawyers within the transport group in Canada. Her practice encompasses both transactional and litigation aspects of maritime law, including maritime contracts, torts, liability claims, creditor's remedies and marine insurance matters. She has been recognized by her clients and colleagues as one of the leading maritime lawyers in Canada.

Shelley drafts and advises on a wide array charter parties, contracts of carriage, moorage contracts, insurance policies and other agreements that arise in maritime and transportation law, including ice pilot (navigator) contracts. She has also advised many users and suppliers of marine services on their obligations and liabilities under Canadian maritime law, including on the carriage of dangerous goods and bunkering operations.

Shelley has handled hundreds of casualties, including collisions terminal damage cases, cargo losses, and pollution events. She has resolved many passenger injury and death claims, including ones subject to the Athens Convention. She has dealt with dozens of vessel arrests and many maritime liens and limitation of liability proceedings. Shelley is a frequent advisor to marine insurers on coverage matters. She also has a particular interest in Canadian Arctic shipping having worked with a number of clients who operate in that region.

Shelley's clients include commercial vessel owners and operators, P&I Clubs and marine insurers, ports and terminals and maritime service providers.

She frequently meets with government representatives regarding the development of maritime law matters in Canada.

Shelley has represented clients in the provincial, supreme and appellate courts of British Columbia, Alberta and the Federal Court of Canada. She has also achieved numerous successful results for clients through mediation and arbitration.

Malicious Acts and Vandalism: The Coverage Conundrum

Eric Machum, Metcalf & Co.

Eric Machum has practiced law since 2005. Prior to joining Metcalf & Company he practised with Clyde & Co. in Venezuela. His practice is directed to marine, transportation, insurance and corporate-commercial law. Eric regularly advises ship owners, freight forwarders, marine service providers, exporters and their insurers on technical, regulatory and commercial/contractual matters including charter and sales documents. He holds a Master’s degree (LLM) in Marine Law and Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Dalhousie University Law School.

Eric has supplemented his legal experience by serving with Atlantic Towing Limited as a cadet on its coastal and harbour tugs in Canada and working as a certified scuba diving instructor. He also teaches part-time at the Dalhousie University Marine Affairs Program and has given intensive training courses on maritime law in Latin America.

While at Dalhousie University Law School Eric was recognised with the CCH Canadian Limited award for highest mark in Legal Research and Writing. Since then he has authored several articles on maritime law matters and continues to be published on a regular basis.

Eric is a director of the Canadian Maritime Law Association (CMLA), the Canadian Transport Lawyers Association (CTLA) and the Mission to Seafarers Halifax. He is chair of the General Average Committee of the CMLA and Vice-Chair of the Eastern Admiralty Law Association. Eric is named in the maritime law section of Who's Who Legal, Canada. As of December 2016 Eric was appointed Honorary Consul for Finland.