Shipping

Stephenson Harwood is recognised as having one of the world’s leading shipping practices. With offices in key trading hubs we offer comprehensive, specialist shipping advice with a reputation for strength in depth and a strong commercial focus.
  • Profile
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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.

Lawyer

Rovine Chandrasekera Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2629
M:  Email Rovine | Vcard Office:  Dubai, London

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

Lawyer

Elizabeth Sloane Partner

T:  +852 3166 6926
M:  Email Elizabeth | Vcard Office:  Hong Kong

Latest news & insights

11 Nov 2022

From Insights

UK sanctions: prohibition on the maritime transportation of crude and petroleum oil and products

On 5 December 2022, the 16th amendment1 to the UK's sanctions against Russia, The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the "Regulations")2, comes into force ..

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15 Aug 2022

From Insights

MASS at Moorgate

Tuesday 18 October 2022 - 11:45 - 19:30pm

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03 Aug 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises QBE in English High Court success

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has successfully advised longstanding client QBE in relation to an anti-suit injunction (ASI) against a direct action claim brought by ..

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14 Jan 2022

From Insights

A guide to the sale and purchase of yachts webinar

The Stephenson Harwood superyacht team recently hosted its fourth panel discussion on ‘A guide to the sale and purchase of yachts'.

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26 Nov 2021

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance named Maritime or Transport Team of the Year

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has been named the ‘Maritime or Transport Team of the Year' at The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2021.

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25 Nov 2021

From Insights

The Shipping News on Thursdays

Starting on Thursday 14 October 2021, we will be running a series of shipping-focused webinars every Thursday at 5pm, Singapore | 9am, London | 1pm, Dubai | 6pm, Seou..

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14 Oct 2021

From Insights

Demurrage time bar—completion of discharge and applicable time zone (Euronav NV v Repsol Trading SA)

Nikki Chu has written a case analysis on Euronav NV v. Repsol Trading SA concerning demurrage time bars [2021] EWHC 2565 (Comm). This article was first published by Le..

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06 Sep 2021

From Insights

Force majeure clauses in turbulent times

Force majeure (FM) clauses typically address circumstances outside a contracting party’s control that affect the ability to perform, and provide for the relevant oblig..

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01 Sep 2021

From Insights

Surety guarantee or delayed demand?

A recent decision of the Court of Appeal has demonstrated neatly the importance of the parties to a shipbuilding contract having a clear understanding of the legal nat..

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26 Aug 2021

From Insights

Stuck in the middle…?

​When disputes arise as to who is entitled to delivery up of the cargo on board a ship, the vessel owner can often find themselves stuck in the middle. They have no i..

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18 Aug 2021

From Insights

The limits of limitations: Triple Point v PTT

Limitation clauses and liquidated damages clauses are a common feature of shipbuilding and ship repair contracts. Projects can often overrun and LDs give Owners certai..

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06 Aug 2021

From Insights

London International Shipping Week - The shipping lifecycle: with you all the way

Join us on 15 September for our official London International Shipping Week event. We'll discuss different stages of the shipping lifecycle including finance, construc..

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09 Jul 2021

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises NIBC Bank N.V. on secured loan facility with innovative SOFR DAY-1 mechanism to joint venture managed by Van Weelde

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised NIBC Bank N.V. in relation to a secured loan facility. The loan, which incorporated the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (S..

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23 Jun 2021

From Insights

Marine and international trade bulletin - June 2021

In this issue we look at cargo insurance – duty of brokers – incorporation of terms; insolvency – in rem claims – repatriation costs plus more.

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25 May 2021

From Insights

Help yourself – Owners' self-help remedies against a defaulting time charterer

The time charterparty will often contain a clause entitling the owner to exercise a lien over cargo, hire or freight.

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12 May 2021

From Insights

Owner’s right to call for bill of lading freight

Alpha Marine was owner of the MV SMART and chartered it to Minmetals on a time charter trip on an amended NYPE form. Minmetals voyage chartered the vessel to General N..

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