Shipowners and operators

Liquified natural gas

Successfully defending a major LNG operator from several speed and performance claims. Initiating arbitration claims against shipyards for breach of warranty under disputed LNG build contracts.

Offshore support vessels

Drafting and reviewing numerous specialist charterparties and subcontracts for the provision of services to offshore projects; including diving spreads, geo-survey, cable lays, piracy escorts and sea defences.

Bulk carriers

Advising several carriers on the transhipment and/or judicial sale of perishable cargos following casualty incidents or abandonment. Defending numerous claims for losses arising from disputed hold cleaning and contamination. 

Marine and international trade

English High Court injunctions

Advising subrogated H&M and IV underwriters on recovery proceedings, and successfully obtaining anti-suit relief against proceedings brought in West Africa following a collision. 

Transhipment of waste

Advising cargo and vessel owners of their obligations under international conventions regarding the transhipment of waste and recycling of dead ships following casualty events.

Maritime security

Advising vessel owners and private security contractors on the provision of armed and unarmed counter piracy services, kidnap and ransom insurance, GUARDCON drafting and UK export controls on military and dual- purpose goods.

Unsafe port claims

Obtaining a successful LMAA award for shipowner's owners recovering substantial losses resulting from charterers' nomination of an unsafe port/berth in N. Africa and defeating High Court appeal.

Fixed and floating objects.

Advising an oil and gas company on breach of contract issues arising in expert determination proceedings involving the galvanic corrosion of offshore drilling risers in the Gulf of Mexico.

Marine casualty

Tug and tow

Assisting Lloyds H&M underwriters with the procurement of tug assistance, reviewing and amending standard TOWCON wordings and advising on subrogated recoverability prospects following vessel breakdowns.

High Court (Admiralty)- collision and limitation claims

Advising liability insurers on apportionment and limitation issues arising from a multi-vessel collision and damage to subsea cabling during a storm. Handling subsequent proceedings in several jurisdictions.

Catastrophic loss and salvage

Acting for H&M underwriters in relation to the constructive total loss of a vessel from ammonium nitrate decomposition and explosion. Advising on related salvage, security and recoverability issues.

Wrecks

Assisting multiple owners and insurers on the drafting of WRECKFIX, WRECKSTAGE and WRECKHIRE contracts, handling disputes arising from non-performance, and advising on liability for wreck removal. 

Groundings

Advising owners and insurers after the collision and grounding of multiple vessels in the Bay of Bengal. Drafting collision statement of case and CPR Part 61.4 settlement correspondence (single liability principle). 

More: Marine casualty

Yacht and superyacht

Limitation

Advising a yacht owner on rights under the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (1976). Commencing limitation proceedings and establishing court fund following superyacht collision.

Superyacht construction disputes

Obtaining a successful LMAA arbitration award for the US builders of a luxury superyacht against the buyer. Advising on issues relating to non-performance, early termination and material breaches of build contract.

Sale and purchase

Acting for multiple buyers and sellers on transactional and contentious issues arising under the MYBA Form and other bespoke contracts, management agreements, mooring licenses and financing agreements.   

Marine insurance

Fraud and coverage

Advising cargo insurers at Lloyds on coverage issues arising in relation to securitised commodities held in warehouse storage, and losses from fraudulent trade finance documents.

Subrogated claims

Advising Lloyd’s H&M underwriters on a variety of coverage issues and subrogated recovery prospects on multiple claims arising from the loss/damage of commercial vessels and yachts resulting from fire, flooding, engine failure and defective repairs.

Fire and unseaworthiness 

Defending Lloyd’s hull underwriters in the High Court against the owners of a fishing vessel lost to fire, and advising on related issues of policy avoidance, valuation, and material non-disclosure to underwriters.

Charterer's liability

Advising charterers and insurers on defending multiple claims arising from a dangerous cargo/container fire off the South African coast. Handling multi-reference arbitration proceedings and advising on general average.

War risks

Advising insurers on coverage issues arising from the prolonged detention of vessels by nation states and providing post incident support following the damage to vessels by mines/torpedoes.

More: Marine insurance

P&I clubs

Official enquiries and inquests

Assistance to clubs in protecting members' interests during proceedings and investigations by government authorities and maritime agencies, including salvage claims.

Bunkers and ship supplies

Advising P&I members in disputes arising from poor quality bunkers and resulting vessel damage. Co-ordinating sampling, evidence preservation and advising on time bar issues under supply contracts.

Cargo and contracts of carriage

Numerous cases involving disputed bills, LOIs and defending cargo loss/damage claims, including successful interpleader applications and appointment of court receivers to dispose of cargoes.