Marine and international trade

Our world leading marine law practice offers a breadth of services to clients in the shipping, offshore and commodity sectors. Our clients include many of the world's largest shipowners, shipyards, major ship finance banks, marine insurers and IG P&I clubs, energy services companies, oil and gas business and commodities traders.
  • Profile
  • Experience
  • Key contacts

Our practice is international and is serviced by specialist lawyers based in key shipping and trade hubs worldwide. Lawyers in our Dubai, Greater China, London, Paris, Piraeus, Seoul and Singapore offices deliver market-leading maritime expertise to a truly international clientele.

The size of our team and the depth of our experience means we are well positioned to advise on any shipping or trade-related concern, from the most complex marine incident or financing structure to the more straightforward sale and purchase dispute or cargo claim.

We also offer our clients a wide range of ancillary legal services that includes corporate, competition, environmental, intellectual property and tax advice.

“They are a standout firm; they are very active and are experts.”
Chambers UK 2021

Mercuria – commodity repo dispute

We acted for Mercuria in the successful defence of a headline-making US$270 million claim - relating to commodity “repo” deals affected by a major metals warehousing fraud in China.

Container ship casualty

We advised in relation to an explosion and subsequent fire on a container ship situated in the Indian Ocean, including providing rapid response by our market-leading casualty team.

Yamal LNG project

Advised Stena LNG on a bid for the construction and chartering of ice-classed LNG tankers for use in the Arctic Circle.

Major Chinese offshore project

Advised Prosafe on a US$540 million Chinese offshore project - a series of semi-submersible units for operation in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

Coverage dispute for lead marine insurer worth US$1 billion

Coverage dispute for lead marine insurer worth US$1 billion relating to a major international navy.

On-demand refund guarantees and performance bonds dispute

We acted for a major East Asian bank in an ICC arbitration in relation to on-demand refund guarantees and performance bonds with a value of approximately US$95 million. 

Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project

We advised a leading international EPIC contractor in the contracts for a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project worth in excess of US$10 billion offshore Africa.

Swiss-based oil trader

Advised our client on two attempts made by an oil major to escape from its obligations under an unprofitable sale contract to purchase 40,000mt of vacuum gas oil (VGO).

Pirate attack off the West coast of Africa

We advised the shipowner in relation to a pirate attack on a vessel off the West Coast of Africa.

The "B ATLANTIC"

Advising War Risks underwriters following the detention and confiscation of the vessel "B ATLANTIC" in Venezuela following the discovery of drugs below the waterline. Representing underwriters in the English High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court and successfully establishing that the loss is excluded under the terms of the policy.

Lawyer

Alex Davis Practice group leader

T:  +44 20 7809 2671
M:  Email Alex | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Michael Kim Seoul office managing partner

T:  + 82 2 6138 4888
M:  + 82 10 2005 1690 Email Michael | Vcard Office:  Seoul

Lawyer

Daryll Ng Singapore office managing partner

T:  +65 6835 8656
M:  Email Daryll | Vcard Office:  Singapore

Lawyer

Evangeline Quek Shanghai office managing partner

T:  +86 21 2250 6912 +852 2533 6799
M:  +86 136 3217 8216 Email Evangeline | Vcard Office:  Hong Kong, Shanghai

Lawyer

Andrew Rigden Green Partner

T:  +852 2533 2761
M:  +852 6013 2520 Email Andrew | Vcard Office:  Hong Kong

Latest news & insights

16 Mar 2023

From Insights

Commodities in Focus Weekly: Glencore Energy UK Limited v NIS J.S.C. Novi Sad [2023] EWHC 370 (Comm)

On 23 February the High Court handed down its judgment in Glencore Energy UK Limited v NIS J.S.C Novi Sad [2023] EWHC 370 (Comm).

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15 Mar 2023

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Stephenson Harwood retains 82% of March qualifying trainees

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08 Mar 2023

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02 Mar 2023

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01 Feb 2023

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24 Jan 2023

From Insights

Commodities in Focus Weekly: Sharp v Viterra – Court of Appeal clarifies measure of damages under GAFTA Default Clause

On 11 January 2023 the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Sharp Corp Limited v Viterra B.V., finding that the words “actual or estimated value of the goods, on th..

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19 Jan 2023

From Insights

Commercial Court decision on important and controversial Hague-Visby Rules limitation issue: Trafigura v TKK Shipping [2023] EWHC 26 (Comm)

In a judgment handed down on Friday 13 January, Sir Nigel Teare declined to follow the controversial decision in The Limnos [2008] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 166

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10 Jan 2023

From Insights

Commodities in Focus Weekly - ED&F Man Capital Markets Ltd v Come Harvest Holdings Ltd & Ors

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20 Dec 2022

From Insights

Commodities in Focus Weekly - Vitol S.A. v JE Energy Ltd. – meaning of laycan in FOB sale contracts and useful reminder on repudiatory breach

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13 Dec 2022

From Insights

Commodities in Focus Weekly: Aiteo Eastern E&P Company Ltd v Shell Western Supply and Trading Ltd [2022] EWHC 2912 (Comm) (17 November 2022)

The Commercial Court dismissed Aiteo's challenges, brought under s.67 Arbitration Act 1996, of two partial awards, in respect of jurisdiction and consolidation, which ..

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12 Dec 2022

From News

Michael Kim named among top ten maritime lawyers

​Seoul office managing partner, Michael Kim, has been named among the top ten maritime lawyers 2022 by leading shipping publication Lloyd's List.​

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07 Dec 2022

From Insights

Price cap on Russian oil agreed: What does this mean?

In a move to further stifle Russia's ability to finance their invasion of Ukraine, the G7 nations and Australia (the "Price Cap Coalition") have agreed a price cap of ..

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06 Dec 2022

From Insights

CIF Weekly: Shanghai Xinan Screenwall Building & Decoration Co. Ltd. [2022] SGHC 58

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22 Nov 2022

From News

Rania Tadros receives 'Woman in Shipping Award' at The Maritime Standard Awards 2022

Stephenson Harwood Dubai office managing partner Rania Tadros has been honoured with the 'Woman in Shipping Award' at The Maritime Standard Awards 2022.

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15 Nov 2022

From Insights

CIF Weekly: Optimares S.p.A v Qatar Airways Group Q.C.S.C.

Clear drafting means right to terminate for convenience unfettered by existence of other contractual termination rights or duty of good faith

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.