Office No. 43, 15th Floor,
Blue Bay Tower, Marasi Drive, Business Bay,
P.O.Box:414453, Dubai, U.A.E
Abdul Hafis
(Director)
Abdul Hafis, Director of Freight Disputes Legal Solutions (FDLS) is a Maritime Legal expert having extensive experience around three decades in the field of Claims, Insurance and Legal in the maritime industry.
- Enrolled with the Bar Council of India and started his career as a lawyer in 1993. He began his corporate life in the Insurance, Legal & Claims Dept. of RHS Group Dubai in 1996. He has acted for and on behalf of major lines including CMA-CGM, HMM, COSCO Container Lines, PNSC, Gearbulk inter-alia during the first 10 years of his corporate life, and was the Head of Claims, Insurance & Legal Dept. of the Agencies divisions of United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) for 9 years. He is at present the Director of FDLS.
- Qualified lawyer and has a Bachelors & Hons. degree in law [B.A (Law) & LL.B Hons.], Masters (M.A) in Politics & International Relations; FICS (Fellowship with Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers); Lead Assessor for Quality Audits with LRQA, Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management (PGDMM) from IGNOU in addition to plenty of short term course certifications in Shipping, insurance, quality audits, customer services etc.
- A regular trainer for Dubai Shipping Agents Association (DSAA); NAFL (National Association of Freight and Logistics) in shipping subjects related to Claims, Bills of lading, Marine Insurance, Letters of credit, UAE Maritime Law etc. He is registered in the panel of tutors for Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) and gives lectures on Legal Principles in Shipping mainly focusing Carriers’ liability, Contracts, Torts, Agency Laws etc. He is also a visiting professor at S P Jain School of Global Management teaching International conventions to students pursuing MBA in Supply Chain & Logistics.
- Retainer legal counsel for National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) who are the subsidiary (Dubai Chapter) for FIATA UK. He is also retainer legal counsel for a number of well known freight forwarding companies.
- Apart from his professional life, Abdul has his interest in reading mainly the current events, sports, developments in the maritime industry and fiction. He loves travelling and has a passion to explore different cultures traditions and diversities. As a part of his self-actualization process, he is involved in social work and has made his mark in the field of charity and is involved in several projects in his home country and UAE.
Sadhu Madathil
(General Manager – Partner)
Sadhu Madathil, General Manager and Managing Partner of Freight Disputes & Legal Solutions (FDLS) is an experienced Marine Claims handler and Port Operations, Containers and Documentation expert having industry experience in excess of 3 decades.
- Extensive experience in the industry having started his career with Kuwait Shipping Agencies in 1991 -1992 and have moved to the prestigious Haliburton and have served in Yemen and Middle East during his tenure with Haliburton. He continued his career with United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and joined FDLS as Senior Managing Partner in 2015.
- Possess high shipping and logistics qualifications such as FICS & MICS from The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) and possess high shipping & Logistics qualifications such as International Institute of Container Lessors (IICL) , Certified International Supply chain Professional (CISCP) , Logistcs & Supply chain Management (SCM)
- Overlooks all port operations related to long staying containers, cargo claims handling and connecting with several governmental authorities. The one point contact for international container long staying operations having liaison in Sri Lanka, Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, Salalah, Sudan,Malta inter-alia.
- Advises a number of carriers and merchants both international and local on various legal solutions with respect to the several issues faced by them including but not limited to cargo claims, salvage and destructions issues.
Apart from his professional life, Sadhu has his interest travelling and has a passion to explore different cultures traditions and diversities. He is also involved in charity.
