We advise P&I and defence clubs and their members on a wide range of matters from high value, complex disputes, to day to day queries. Our world leading marine lawyers based in Dubai, Greater China, London, Paris, Piraeus, Seoul and Singapore, ensure that clubs and their members worldwide receive the best possible and most efficient services.
Alongside our expertise in the traditional areas of charterparties and carriage of goods, we regularly advise clubs and their members in specific areas, including:
- bulk cargo
- containers
- MoAs
- tankers
- shipbuilding and offshore construction
- fraud and asset recovery
- LPG and LNG
- offshore oil and gas
- commodities, traders and charterers
- sanctions.
Our international marine lawyers also take pride in providing added value, bespoke training and knowhow, and in achieving the highest quality of service at all times.
"They are clever and constantly trying to achieve the best for clients."
Chambers UK 2021
Container ship fires
Acting for owners, charterers and P&I insurers in large container ship fire and enforcing owners’ lien for collection of general average security from multiple contributing interests in various jurisdictions. Collecting evidence in the early stages of the casualty and managing contractual disputes arising.
Loss of containers overboard
Instructed by International Group club to advise owner of container vessel as to potential liabilities to cargo owner following loss of substantial number of containers overboard during storm in the Arabian Sea.
Fire on board an LNG carrier
We acted for Scandinavian owners/P&I club in investigating a fire on board an LNG carrier and in the subsequent inquiry into the incident and the death of a worker on board.
Damage to subsea cable
Advising P&I insurers in a claim for damage to a subsea control cable for a satellite platform. Issues included limitation, interaction of vessel and field policies and conflict of laws.
Iron Ore Liquefaction
Instructed by International Group club to advise club and owners of bulk carrier following loading of cargo of iron ore with high moisture content at Indian port where there was a very high risk of liquefaction and listing of vessel. This matter also involved representations being made to the Ministry of Shipping in India.
Gas tanker explosions
Acting for P&I insurers in explosions on board loaded gas tankers. Managing the initial investigation and handling the charterparty disputes which followed, together with salvage claims and tortious claims from various affected parties.
Claims under refund guarantees
A High Court shipbuilding case for major Dutch shipowners claiming payment of multi-million dollar claims under refund guarantee following cancellation of a number of shipbuilding contracts. This case (
W.S. Tankship II BV v Kwangju Bank Ltd and Seoul Gurantee Insurance Co [2011] EWHC 3013 (Comm)), has become one of the leading cases on the interpretation and effect of such guarantees.
Bunker barge collision
Instructed by International Group club to advise charterer of vessel on potential liabilities following collision with bunker barge leading to pollution and clean-up operations resulting in a chain of LMAA arbitrations.
Claim for damages arising from supply of off-spec bunkers
Advising owner clients and P&I insurers on their claim against charterers arising from the supply of off-spec bunkers, co-ordinating the evidence (including contradictory analyses) and negotiating settlement.
Product tanker – risk of piracy
Advising owners and insurers of product tankers in disputes with oil major charterers following the owners' decision to refuse permission for the vessels to transit the Gulf of Aden in light of a perceived heightened risk of attack by pirates.
Shipbuilding and offshore construction projects – contract negotiation issues
Advising approximately forty separate shipowners/buyers on their rights and seeking the repayment of instalments in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. In each such instance the proceedings were successful.