Stephenson Harwood’s lawyers are market leading and uniquely specialist in ship finance, marine insurance, maritime litigation and arbitration, corporate and tax services. Whether you’re a major ship finance bank, the world’s largest shipping or offshore company, marine insurer, IG P&I club or the world’s leading shipyard, our team has the specialist experience to understand your business needs and the capacity to deliver the service you require.
From our offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Piraeus, Singapore and Seoul, we routinely act in high-profile disputes involving complex legal and commercial problems throughout the world. With our long track record of representing best in class maritime companies all over the world, you can be sure of the highest quality of service every time.
"SH has real breadth for a mid-size firm and can offer support on a wide range of matters, pulling in knowledge from other parts of the firm as required. All departments share a client-centric and user-friendly approach and the advice is first class."
The Legal 500 UK 2022
Collision/cargo loss
We advised following a major collision which caused the spillage of a substantial part of a cargo of aviation fuel and involved limitation proceedings in Holland and Germany.
Unsafe port
We advised our client in relation to a grounding in the Orinoco river which led to a US$20 million unsafe port claim with arbitration proceedings in London and New York.
General average claims - engine damage
We advised on a case involving main engine damage which resulted in a long tow to the discharge port and connected general average claims.
The Fiona Trust litigation
We advised the successful parties against claims totalling US$1 billion in respect of alleged bribery in the Fiona Trust litigation.
Cargo of iron ore
We advised the bulk carrier owners following the loading of a cargo of iron ore with high moisture content at an Indian port. There was a high risk of liquefaction of the cargo and listing of the vessel.
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.
Casualty of a vessel carrying ISO tank containers
We advised on the serious casualty of a vessel carrying ISO tank containers of ethylene following a major explosion on deck that destroyed the containers.
Detained oil cargoes
We advised on various oil cargoes, each worth over US$100 million, which were detained in Sudan due to internal conflicts between the government of Sudan and South Sudan.
Bunker dispute
We advised Korean charterers on claims arising out of the alleged supply of off-specification bunkers which allegedly resulted in the catastrophic failure of the main engine on board a fully laden container vessel.
Merger - Braemar and ACM Shipping
We advised Westhouse Securities as financial advisor and corporate broker to Braemar Shipping Services Plc in Braemar Seascope’s merger with ACM Shipping Group Plc, to create a combined ship-broking business worth £170 million.
Iranian sanctions and asset freezing
We successfully acted for National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in its case against the Council of the EU in the General Court of the EU in respect of its application for annulment of its designation and asset freeze.