Most ship sale and purchase deals don't collapse over price; they collapse over a clause nobody negotiated properly, a survey finding nobody chased down, or a title issue nobody caught until closing week. The Ship Sale and Purchase Training Course: Valuation, MOA Negotiation and Legal Risk Management, delivered by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, walks participants through the full transaction the way it actually unfolds, not just the parts that make it into textbooks.

Participants learn to value a vessel with the same rigor a broker or bank would apply, negotiate and read Memorandum of Agreement clauses with commercial judgment, run due diligence that actually catches problems, and manage the maritime law issues around title, registration, and disputes. Real transaction scenarios and clause-by-clause analysis give delegates the confidence to move a deal from first offer to closed sale without the surprises that derail most transactions.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the structure and stages of a ship sale and purchase transaction.
• Apply ship valuation methods to assess fair market value for different vessel types.
• Negotiate and interpret key Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) clauses and their commercial implications.
• Conduct due diligence on vessel condition, documentation, and encumbrances.
• Identify the maritime law principles governing title transfer, registration, and delivery.
• Recognize common disputes in sale and purchase deals and how they are resolved.

Target Group
This training course is designed for:

• Shipowners, buyers, and sellers involved in vessel acquisition and disposal.
• Shipbrokers and sale and purchase (S&P) brokers managing negotiations.
• Legal and contracts professionals handling MOA drafting and review.
• Ship managers, technical superintendents, and surveyors supporting due diligence.
• Bankers, financiers, and investors involved in S&P financing.

Module 1: Why Ship Deals Go Wrong Before They Close

• Overview of the sale and purchase market and its participants.
• Stages of a typical vessel acquisition transaction.
• Role of brokers, lawyers, and surveyors in the deal.
• Key differences between newbuilding and secondhand transactions.

Module 2: Getting the Price Right — Ship Valuation

• Market, income, and cost-based valuation approaches.
• Factors affecting vessel value: age, condition, and market cycle.
• Using broker valuations and market data in transaction decisions.
• Common valuation disputes between buyers and sellers.

Module 3: From Term Sheet to Signed MOA

• Structure and purpose of the Memorandum of Agreement.
• Key clauses: price, deposit, inspection, and delivery terms.
• Representations, warranties, and encumbrance clauses.
• Negotiating amendments and structuring price and payment terms.

Module 4: Inspecting the Vessel Before You Commit

• Technical inspection and condition survey processes.
• Reviewing classification, certification, and trading history.
• Identifying red flags in vessel documentation and condition.
• Coordinating due diligence findings with contract terms.

Module 5: Law, Title and Disputes

• Legal principles governing title transfer and vessel registration.
• Flag state requirements and documentation for ownership change.
• Common sources of disputes and resolution mechanisms under maritime law.
• Handling post-delivery claims and warranty issues.