Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has committed its support to improving sustainability in global seaborne trade by partnering with The Global Maritime Forum (GMF).

GMF is an international not-for-profit organisation, with a mission to increase sustainable long-term development and human wellbeing in global seaborne trade. One of its most high-profile achievements was the establishment of the Poseidon Principles, the world’s first sector-specific, self-governing climate alignment agreement among financial institutions active in the area of ship finance.

“The international maritime trade industry has been taking great strides in recent years to play its part in sustainability. Our firm has a long tradition of serving that industry, and has one of the strongest teams of lawyers in the world specialising in all aspects of international maritime trade. Therefore, partnering with The Global Maritime Forum was a natural step for us, and we are joining a partnership that comprises some of the most respected companies in the industry, including some of our clients,” said Haris Zografakis, partner, Stephenson Harwood.

“Moreover, our support for the efforts of the Global Maritime Forum is an integral part of our firm’s pro bono and wider CSR activities,” added Haris, who leads a team of volunteers assisting GMF. “We always want to invest our efforts in supporting initiatives which most closely match our values and our skills. Working with an organisation which seeks to make a real difference in relation to sustainability, and which wants to push transformation within the wider international maritime trade industry, is a real privilege for us. And we know these issues matter to our clients: with the likes of BP pledging net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the impact on every business operating in global seaborne trade is clear and inevitable.”

Stephenson Harwood is recognised as having one of the world’s leading international maritime trade practices. With offices in key trading hubs, the firm offers comprehensive, specialist advice with a reputation for strength and depth and a strong commercial focus. Stephenson Harwood’s lawyers are market-leading and uniquely specialist in all aspects of international maritime trade, both contentious and non-contentious, including ship finance, marine insurance and commodities trading.