Spencer Fane attorney Amy L. Mitchell wrote the article Fuel for Thought: How Three Fifty Markets Secured Its Maritime Lien, which was recently published by Marine Link.
In Amy’s article, originally a firm blog post, she analyzes a Fifth Circuit decision addressing a dispute over unpaid bunker fuel and the availability of a maritime lien under U.S. law. The court held that the supplier could enforce a lien because the intermediary had apparent authority to bind the charterer and the supplier reasonably relied on industry practice in the transaction. The decision highlights the continued strength of U.S. maritime lien protections for bunker suppliers, even where “no lien” clauses are present but not clearly communicated.
“The Three Fifty Markets v. M/V ARGOS M decision is a powerful reminder of how layered and high-stakes maritime transactions can be. It strengthens the rights of bunker suppliers, clarifies the role of apparent authority, and underscores the importance of proactive risk mitigation by vessel owners. If you operate in the maritime, bunkering, or commodity trading space, this is a case you can’t afford to ignore,” Amy wrote.
At the firm, Amy represents clients through a wide range of litigation matters, including personal injury, construction defect, oil and gas, commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, class actions, multiparty death cases, and appeals. During nearly four decades as an attorney, she has handled more than 3,000 litigation cases and successfully tried over 80 trials by utilizing her multifaceted skills as a powerful trial advocate and certified arbitrator to achieve favorable outcomes both in and out of the courtroom.
Read Amy’s full article here.