Abaco Ltd has successfully resolved longstanding maritime dispute over wreck removal
November 10, 2025.
Abaco Ltd has successfully resolved longstanding maritime dispute over wreck removal
Source: Abaco’s archive
Abaco Ltd is pleased to announce the successful resolution of a complex maritime dispute concerning the removal of a wreck from the Port of Bar, achieved within an exceptionally short timeframe following our engagement. Acting on behalf of our longstanding client, the Port of Bar, our legal team devised a solution fully compliant with applicable laws and environmental standards for the removal of the wreck of the vessel ADAL, which had sunk to its main deck level in 2017.
The vessel entered the Port of Bar in August 2005, when it was provisionally seized by a criminal court due to suspected involvement in a criminal offense, while also being subject to civil claims. In June 2015, the vessel was returned to its original owner. In 2017, the Maritime Safety Inspector confirmed that the vessel had sunk to its main deck level. Although the wreck was sold in 2022, the new owner failed to remove it, and no insurance coverage existed for wreck removal.
Our legal team acted promptly to ensure compliance with Article 25(1) of the Law on Maritime Navigation Safety, which obliges the owner of a stranded, sunken, or unseaworthy vessel - or a wreck resulting from a maritime incident that endangers navigation safety - to remove such wreck upon request of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
Through a structured legal approach, the last owner, lacking sufficient assets to cover removal costs, transferred ownership rights over the wreck to the Port of Bar. Upon acquiring title, the Port organized the removal operation as the lawful owner. The costs were largely offset by the sale of scrap metal, rendering the process both efficient and economically viable.
The operation was executed swiftly and in full compliance with legal and environmental requirements, eliminating a longstanding navigational hazard and mitigating potential ecological risks. This case underscores Abaco’s ability to deliver rapid, lawful, and sustainable solutions to complex maritime challenges, safeguarding client interests and public safety.
Click here to read about the case we handled for Adriatic Shipyard Bijela regarding the legal treatment of abandoned ships within the shipyard port by applying Article 26 of the Law on Maritime Navigation Safety.
It is worth noting that Montenegro has recently ratified the 2007 Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention, reinforcing its commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection. The Convention will be implemented through forthcoming legislation on marine pollution prevention, currently under preparation by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Under the Convention, every vessel of 300 GT or above entering or leaving Montenegrin ports must hold a valid Wreck Removal Certificate, evidencing insurance or financial security for wreck removal liability. This requirement equally applies to vessels flying the Montenegrin flag.
For further details on the Nairobi Convention and its implications, please click here.