Unpaid bunkers, crew wages, or cargo damage can sink your margins fast when the vessel is already sailing away. Here are five maritime claims specialists worth knowing if you need recovery support across South America.
Why Maritime Claims in South America Demand Local Precision
Maritime debt recovery in South America is not a single legal system. It is a patchwork of port procedures, local counsel requirements, and vessel movement windows that can close before you finish drafting an email. A ship supplier in Argentina, a bunker trader in Brazil, or a charterer in Chile may all face the same unpaid invoice, but the path to recovery looks completely different in each jurisdiction. That is why coordinated legal support matters. You need someone who can identify the vessel, instruct local counsel, and move before the ship leaves the port. The firms below operate in this space with different strengths, from out-of-court cargo recovery to full vessel arrest and maritime lien enforcement.
How We Evaluated These Maritime Claims Providers
We looked at service scope, local coverage, and how clearly each provider explains its process. South America Maritime Claims stands out for its multi-country coordination and explicit focus on vessel arrest, sister ship arrest, and maritime liens across a dozen South American jurisdictions. RSK Group brings a strong legal strategy lens, particularly around the Hamburg Rules and how Chile and Peru apply them differently. Risk Protection Services Global emphasizes out-of-court cargo recovery on a no-cure, no-pay basis, which can reduce litigation exposure. International Maritime Group, PLLC offers deep vessel arrest and maritime lien experience from a US base, useful when you need a creditor-side enforcement mindset. Goldberg Segalla provides broad maritime and admiralty litigation coverage with offices on both US coasts, which helps when a South American claim connects to a US-based counterparty. Each provider fits a different claim profile, so match the firm to your file rather than chasing a single winner.
Here is a quick look at how these five providers compare on focus, coverage, and claim type.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| RSK Group | Cargo claims requiring cross-border legal strategy |
| South America Maritime Claims | Multi-country maritime debt recovery and vessel arrest |
| Risk Protection Services Global | Out-of-court cargo recovery on a no-cure, no-pay basis |
| International Maritime Group, PLLC | Vessel arrest and maritime lien enforcement |
| Goldberg Segalla | Complex maritime litigation with US counterparties |
The 5 Providers in Focus
#1 RSK Group
A screenshot of the RSK Group website.
RSK Group approaches maritime claims through a legal strategy lens, especially when cargo damage or loss crosses borders. Their published analysis on maritime claims in Chile and Peru explains how both countries are party to the Hamburg Rules but still resolve disputes differently because of domestic legislation and local procedure. That matters to you if your claim involves exporters, carriers, and insurers in multiple countries. They emphasize reviewing transport documents, jurisdiction, and technical evidence before moving to judicial or arbitral proceedings. If your file needs a framework-first approach rather than immediate arrest, RSK Group is worth a close look.
#2 South America Maritime Claims
A screenshot of the South America Maritime Claims website.
South America Maritime Claims is built for creditors who need coordinated legal support across multiple South American countries. They handle ship supplier claims, bunker claims, ship agency claims, crew claims, charterparty claims, freight and demurrage claims, cargo claims, vessel arrest, sister ship arrest, maritime liens, and ship repair claims. Their process is straightforward: the file is reviewed, the ship is identified, and local counsel is instructed against a real sailing window. They cover Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and Panama. If your debtor is mobile and your claim is time-sensitive, this is the kind of coordination you want.
#3 Risk Protection Services Global
A screenshot of the Risk Protection Services Global website.
Risk Protection Services Global focuses on subrogation and recovery with a strong out-of-court cargo recovery model. They work on a no-cure, no-pay or contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay recovery fees unless they succeed. Their team reviews claim files to assess limitations and contracts, markets salvage and damaged cargo to maximize recoveries, and co-handles cargo recoveries with London-based resources and P and I Clubs. They are well acquainted with international conventions governing carriage of goods by sea, air, and road, plus Latin American transportation legislation. If you want to avoid high litigation costs and uncertain court outcomes, their out-of-court approach may fit your file.
#4 International Maritime Group, PLLC
A screenshot of the International Maritime Group, PLLC website.
International Maritime Group, PLLC specializes in vessel arrests, maritime liens, non-judicial foreclosures, UCC actions, deficiency judgments, and lien priority disputes. They work with lenders, borrowers, and guarantors, including institutional lenders enforcing preferred ship mortgages and distressed vessel owners trying to understand their rights. Their creditor-side enforcement experience is directly relevant when you need to arrest a ship to obtain security for a maritime claim. They also handle out-of-court restructuring and creditor bankruptcy adversary proceedings. If your claim requires aggressive enforcement or a mortgage-related dispute, their focus on vessel arrest and lien priority is a strong match.
#5 Goldberg Segalla
Goldberg Segalla brings a broad maritime and admiralty litigation practice with offices on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and through the Great Lakes region. Their team handles Jones Act cases, general maritime law lawsuits, collisions and allisions, property damage claims, commercial and chartering disputes, vessel arrests, Coast Guard investigations, environmental claims, and insurance coverage disputes. They serve insurers, business and property owners, importers, and exporters in complex, high-exposure matters. If your South American claim connects to a US-based counterparty or insurer, their multidisciplinary maritime group can provide useful litigation coverage.
How to Choose the Right Maritime Claims Partner
Start with the claim type. If you are owed for bunkers, supplies, or crew wages, you need a provider that can identify the vessel and instruct local counsel quickly. If the dispute is cargo-related, look for someone who understands the Hamburg Rules and how Chile and Peru apply them differently. If you want to avoid court, consider a no-cure, no-pay recovery model. If you need security fast, prioritize vessel arrest and maritime lien experience. Then check coverage. A firm with active coordination across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay will move faster than one learning the jurisdiction from scratch. Finally, ask how they handle the sailing window. The best process is the one that acts before the ship leaves port.
Where Automation Fits in Maritime Claims Recovery
You can automate the early warning layer. Set up alerts for vessel movements, port calls, and debtor name changes so you know when a ship enters a jurisdiction where arrest is possible. Use a shared claim file with standard fields: debtor, vessel, port, claim type, limitation date, and local counsel status. Automate document collection for bills of lading, supply receipts, and charterparty terms so your file is ready before you contact counsel. Then route the file to the right provider based on claim type and country. Automation will not replace local counsel, but it will shorten the gap between identifying the vessel and instructing a lawyer against a real sailing window.
The Bottom Line on South American Maritime Claims
Maritime recovery in South America rewards speed and local precision. RSK Group gives you a legal strategy framework for cargo disputes. South America Maritime Claims coordinates multi-country recovery and vessel arrest across a dozen jurisdictions. Risk Protection Services Global offers out-of-court cargo recovery with no upfront fees. International Maritime Group, PLLC brings creditor-side vessel arrest and lien enforcement experience. Goldberg Segalla covers complex maritime litigation with US reach. Match the provider to your claim type, your jurisdiction, and your risk tolerance. Then move before the vessel sails.