Emergency Contact Navigating the legal and charterparty implications arising from the hostilities between India and Pakistan Home Latest updates News Navigating the legal and charterparty implications arising from the hostilities between India and Pakistan 21 May 2025 Download article PDF Sign up for alerts A terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in late April 2025, followed by retaliatory action by both the Indian and Pakistani militaries, has led to escalation of hostilities between the two nations. This has prompted the invocation of several maritime restrictions which significantly alter the operational landscape for vessels trading in the region. In early May 2025, both nations issued a series of directives and circulars with the objective of curtailing maritime activities with the other, including reciprocal prohibitions on the entry of each other's flagged vessels and bans on the direct and indirect import of goods originating from the other. Although a ceasefire was reportedly agreed around 10 May 2025, the maritime and trade restrictions imposed by both nations have largely remained in place.  This article considers some of the practical, legal and charterparty ramifications that Members must be aware of. Overview of the maritime restrictions Both nations have implemented immediate bans on their own flagged vessels from entering the other’s ports, and on the other’s flagged vessels from entering their own ports [1] . Both countries’ orders include some provision for exemptions to be considered on a case-by-case basis, although the application process and the satisfying criteria are unclear. It is expected that exemptions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Both nations have also prohibited, with immediate effect, the import and transit of goods originating from or exported by the other, whether arriving direct or routed via other countries [2] .  A significant point of divergence is the treatment of pre-existing contracts.