The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit sided with several major cruise lines in closely watched litigation involving Havana docks in a 2-1 decision that lawyers say helps with interpreting the Helms-Burton Act.

The plaintiff/appellant, Havana Docks Corp., a U.S. national, alleges the cruise lines "trafficked in stolen property" by using their docks to drop off and pick up cruise ship passengers in Havana, Cuba.