The Shipping Lawyer

Episodes

1. 5

   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...

   Jun 16, 2026

   21m
2. 4

   Season 3 - Episode 4 - 100 Days in

   THE SHIPPING LAWYER PODCAST Season 3 · Episode 4 | Show Notes Host: Alison Cusack, Shipping Lawyer We'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…

   more
   Jun 9, 2026

   32m
3. 3

   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 Sport We 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...

   Mar 17, 2026

   23m
4. 2

   Season 3 - Episode 2 - Gulf Cargo Crisis (Part 1)

   Gulf Cargo Crisis — Update 1: What Cargo Owners Need to Know Right Now The 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...

   Mar 3, 2026

   47m
5. 1

   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...

   Feb 16, 2026

   33m
6. 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...

   Dec 23, 2025

   25m
7. 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…

   more
   Dec 22, 2025

   1h 03m
8. 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...

   Dec 21, 2025

   17m
9. 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,...

   Dec 20, 2025

   27m
10. 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…

    more
    Dec 19, 2025

    57m
11. Season 2 - Episode 7: General Average (a deeper dive)

    General Average, York Antwerp Rules, and Why the Jason Still Matters General 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...

    Dec 17, 2025

    48m
12. 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…

    more
    Dec 16, 2025

    31m
13. 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...

    Dec 15, 2025

    51m
14. 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...

    Dec 13, 2025

    43m
15. 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…

    more
    Dec 11, 2025

    1h 02m
16. 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…

    more
    Dec 10, 2025

    42m
17. Season 2 - Episode 1: Steven Jones and the Secret Santas of the Sea

    Episode 1 — Steven Jones and The Secret Santas of the Sea In 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…

    more
    Dec 9, 2025

    46m
18. 9

    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...

    Oct 5, 2025

    25m
19. 8

    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...

    Sep 8, 2025

    1h 16m
20. 7

    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...

    Sep 1, 2025

    20m
21. 6

    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...

    Aug 20, 2025

    29m
22. 5

    Episode 5: Flagged and Detained - Port State Control

    Flagged and Detained: Port State Control in Action What 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...

    Aug 3, 2025

    29m
23. 4

    Episode 4: Flag State

    🎙️ Episode Title: Episode 4: Flag State 📅 Release Date: 16 July 2025 🎧 Duration: 23mins Description: 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…

    more
    Jul 16, 2025

    22m
24. 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

    Oct 15, 2024

    21m
25. 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…

    more
    Sep 30, 2024

    31m
26. 3

    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…

    more
    Sep 6, 2024

    21m
27. 2

    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…

    more
    Aug 9, 2024

    18m
28. 1

    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!...

    Jul 30, 2024

    14m