About HMAA
The Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association was organized and incorporated in the 1990's as a not-for-profit entity to gather together from the pool of maritime and commercial related expertise in Houston, members ready, willing and able to serve as arbitrators of disputes arising in the course of business involving all aspects of maritime, energy, oil & gas, transportation and related commercial activities, performed anywhere in the world.
Besides Port of Houston being the second largest port in the USA and seventh largest port in the world, Houston is also one of the world's major homes to many domestic and international companies that provide or use transportation and other commercial services.
The Houston/Galveston Metroplex is home as well to a large number of maritime firms including many shipowners, charterers, P and I Clubs, offshore oil and gas contractors, marine and subsea construction, energy exploration providers, operators, drilling , Marine and Energy underwriters and brokers, freight forwarders and other business entities who historically find themselves frequent or occasional users of the services of arbitrations and mediation as alternative conflict resolution.
As such, Houston was the logical place to establish a major arbitration association servicing these industries.
Our Mission
HMAA was organized to provide an ethical, convenient, commercially viable and cost-effective venue to offer the following to all businesses and persons involved in the maritime, oil & gas, energy and transportation industries:
- A central organization for the training of qualified, experienced individuals in the rules and skills for arbitration of maritime disputes, with emphasis on highest ethical standards.
- A central registry of members, with relevant information on each member open to the industry to aid all parties to a dispute in the selection and appointment of arbitrators, mediators and expert witnesses.
- Information for those interested in joining the association is also available on the site. The website contains a roster of current members, clearly marked to identify those members which have completed a HMAA course of training as qualified arbitrators.
- A published set of Rules for Arbitration, to inform all parties as to how arbitrations will be conducted and has been designed to promote fair, speedy and cost-effective arbitrations. Available on this website.
- An alternative forum for the cost-effective and efficient resolution of disputes.
Our mission includes the task of fostering among the industry we serve, the motivation to choose this venue for their arbitrations and mediations and to negotiate to seek language in charter parties, booking notes, and other relevant contracts to include provision for the choice of "Houston Arbitration" and "HMAA Rules to apply" as an option for the parties involved.
What We Do
HMAA facilitates efficient and cost-effective dispute resolution for members of the maritime, oil & gas, energy and transportation industries. We bring together a pool of highly qualified industry and legal professionals to offer a commercially effective alternative to our congested and expensive judicial system. Our members include arbitrators, mediators, litigators and expert witnesses, each of whom possess the expertise needed to resolve legal disputes.
HMAA does not administer the alternative dispute resolution process. Rather, we bring together the experts you will need to conduct a self-administered and cost effective arbitration or mediation. You can review the expertise of our members by going to our memerlist.
Why Houston?
The Houston Market
Houston is also one of the world's major homes to many domestic and international companies that provide or use transportation and other commercial services.
The Houston/Galveston Metroplex is home as well to a large number of maritime firms, historically frequent or occasional users of the services of arbitration and mediation as alternative conflict resolution:
