Shipping is our business. We understand the driving forces and key challenges in global shipping and associated industries.

Our practice is international and is serviced by specialist lawyers based in our Dubai, Greater China, London, Paris, Piraeus, Seoul and Singapore offices.

Members of our team have had careers at sea, worked in-house with owners, operators, shipyards, major oil and gas companies and global trading houses. We understand the demands of international seaborne trade and have the knowledge and skills to assist you with the full spectrum of shipping work.

Our breadth of legal expertise covers:

• marine casualty response
• charterparty disputes
• cargo claims
• non-contentious contract negotiation
• sanctions
• marine and international trade
• commodities
• dispute resolution
• marine insurance, FD&D, H&M and P&I
• Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
• maritime security
• newbuildings (including refund guarantee issues)
• pollution
• sale and purchase
• ship finance
• surveys and repairs
• tax issues
• cyber security
• Intellectual property.

Our industry experts are recognised for providing a flexible and commercial and service.

World's biggest ever "Triple-E Class" ship order

We advised a shipbuilder on the negotiation of contracts for ten Triple-E Class container ships at a reported price of US$1.9 billion, with options for 20 more vessels of the same specification.

Cargo claims for total loss of vessel carrying containers

We acted for a large global shipowner in relation to high value cargo claims following the total loss of a vessel carrying containers off the coast of Iran, including advice on complex jurisdictional and limitation issues.

Cargo claim for damage to a cargo of bananas

We acted for Japanese owners in a cargo claim brought by Russian consignees arising out of alleged damage to a cargo of bananas shipped from Ecuador to St Petersburg.

Theft of gasoil in the Gulf of Guinea

We acted for Spanish owners in claims by cargo interests arising out of the theft of 7,000mt of gasoil by pirates during the hijacking of the vessel in the Gulf of Guinea.

Dissolution of a tanker pool agreement

We acted for Spanish owners in claims arising out of the dissolution of a tanker pool agreement.

Collision and damage to a cargo of steel coils

We advised Owners following damage to a cargo of steel coils, including claims of fraudulent Bills of Lading, deviation and loss of profits.

Collision involving seismic survey cables and a container vessel

We represented Norwegian shipowners in a collision case involving seismic survey cables and a Chinese container vessel. 

Regional and global container line operators

We act for regional and global container line operators advising on bunker, speed and consumption, off hire and demurrage claims, lien and indemnity issues, as well as claims arising from slow steaming, deviation and early or late redelivery.

Container shortage claims and fraud

We advised a major container operator in relation to various West African container shortage claims and subsequent tracing of fraudsters' assets to UK, Europe and Lebanon for counterclaims.

Arbitration for major iron ore contract

We advised a large mining company and logistics operator in arbitration for alleged material breach of a major iron ore contract against a major international steel group.

One of the world’s leading tanker shipping companies

Advised on a US$600 million bid for the construction and chartering of two ice-classed LNG tankers for Russia's Yamal LNG project, and subsequent related joint venture matters.

Ro-Ro operators

Advising on the cancellation of shipbuilding contracts and demanding refund of instalments under the refund guarantees.

Export credit agency backed tranches 

We represented lenders of three facilities financing the Bonny Gas Transport purchase of 6 liquefied natural gas vessels. The complex financing arrangements involved two separate export credit agency backed tranches and a commercial bank tranche with pooled security.