Pav Samothrakis

Pav acts in high-stakes international arbitrations under LMAA, SIAC, ICC, and UNCITRAL rules, involving shipbuilding, charterparty, construction, and offshore energy disputes, with claims exceeding US$250m in multiple jurisdictions.

• Advised owners in a high-value offshore dispute under UNCITRAL arbitration rules in relation to termination of a marine services contract involving three offshore vessels for a significant project in the Caspian region.
• Represented buyers in SIAC arbitration proceedings in relation to the termination of a series of high-value shipbuilding contracts for offshore support vessels, with claim amounts of approximately $130m.
• Acted for a major Qatari shipowner in a series of SIAC arbitrations relating to the termination of shipbuilding contracts, with claims of approximately $150m.
• Represented contractors in a major pipeline construction dispute, involving delays, variation orders and prolongation costs, under ICC arbitration rules.
• Advised a UAE-based developer regarding their rights under various FIDIC-based contracts relating to variations/extensions of time/delays and ensuing ICC arbitration proceedings.
• Advised on a contractor’s rights under a FIDIC 2006-based construction contract regarding an onshore construction project in the UAE. Advised on issues relating to delays to the project and extensions of time including drafting/commenting on letters to the engineer and assisting with the ensuing arbitration proceedings in Abu Dhabi.

Pav advises on onshore and offshore construction, including FIDIC, EPC, and EPCI contracts, He acts on pipeline disputes, windfarm infrastructure, delay claims, performance bond issues, and construction-related arbitration globally.

• Advised an employer under a contract relating to construction works for onshore gas supply project. Advised on employer’s rights against the contractor regarding delays to the project, including drafting and commenting on determination letters and other correspondence and advising on dispute resolution/settlement procedures under the contract.
• Represented contractors in a major pipeline construction dispute, involving delays, variation orders and prolongation costs, under ICC arbitration rules.
• Advised a US-based contractor in relation to a pipeline construction dispute, involving claims for delay, liquidated damages and prolongation costs.
• Advised a UAE-based shipyard on issues and claims (worth approximately US$50m) relating to delays related to the construction of a mobile offshore drilling unit and disputes with the original jacking equipment manufacturer.
• Advised a shipyard in relation to disputes arising under a main contract and subcontract for the provision of sets of jackets and piles. This related to a major UK-based offshore windfarm project, with amounts in dispute in the region of US$250m.

Pav advises on shipbuilding, charterparties, contracts of affreightment, towage, vessel sale and purchase, bunkering, and casualty matters. He acts for owners, charterers, and yards in contentious and transactional matters globally.

• Advised on several related LMAA arbitrations, with claim amounts of around US$12m, relating to the termination of BIMCO supplytime charterparties, entered into for the deployment of vessels to offshore projects in West Africa.
• Represented UAE-based charterers in LMAA arbitration relating to termination of BIMCO supplytime charterparty for use of an accommodation barge for a significant project in Angola, resulting in claims in excess of US$8m.
• Advising owners of offshore support vessel in relation to complex charterparty dispute, with claims of approximately US$17m, concerning DP operations in Nigeria and issues relating to the redelivery and demobilisation of the vessel and associate costs/damages arising from this.
• Advising charterers under an NYPE 1946 time charterparty on disputes relating to unpaid hire and stevedore fees. We are assisting clients in an ongoing LMAA small claims arbitration.
• Assisting tugowner in relation to various disputes arising under a BIMCO TOWCON 2008 contract. Disputes related to delays arising from slow steaming, deviation, bunkering with claim amounts of approximately US$500,000.
• Advising Nigerian offshore vessel owner in relation to the purchase of 3 offshore support vessels, with a transaction value of over US$60m. We prepared all documents relating to the sale and purchase, including the MOA, corporate/delivery documents, shipmanagement agreements, charterparties and novation agreements.
• Assisted Bahri on the purchase of 20 vessels (with a total agreed value of US$1.3bn), as part of the largest merger in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Assisting UAE-based UASC with the drafting contracts and negotiations with the shipyard for the purchase of 17 newbuild container vessels worth around US$2bn. Six of the vessels were amongst the largest container ships in the world at the time (18,000 teu).
• Assisting bunker trader with recovery of sums owed under bunker supply/set-off agreement.
• Acted for both yards and buyers on various vessel and rig construction projects, including advising from the drafting/negotiation stage up to delivery, as well as representing both buyers and yards in contentious disputes arising from such contracts.

Pav advises on LNG supply, storage and regasification, offshore gas pipelines, oilfield services, and EPC contracts in the energy sector. His clients include national oil companies, offshore contractors, and shipowners.

• Advised Dubai-based charterers in relation to the drafting and negotiation of a 10-year LNG storage and regasification agreement and ancillary contracts, with a value of approximately US$450m as part of the UAE’s inaugural LNG Import Terminal at Jebel Ali.
• Assisted UAE-based Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) with the negotiation of a long-term contract for the hire of a floating storage regasification unit, as part of the UAE’s inaugural LNG Import Terminal at Jebel Ali.
• Represented an offshore contractor in a dispute (and ensuing LMAA arbitration) regarding installation of an offshore gas pipeline off the coast of Nigeria, which resulted in the termination of that contract and claims of approximately US$15m.
• Reviewed and negotiated various LNG Term Sheets and Master Sales Agreements.
• Negotiated gas up cool down agreements in relation to the services provided to owners of LNG carriers.

Pav has extensive experience advising on transactions and disputes across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, involving shipbuilding, LNG terminals, offshore rigs, real estate, and energy infrastructure.

• Assisted Bahri on the purchase of 20 vessels (with a total agreed value of US$1.3bn), as part of the largest merger in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Assisted UAE-based UASC with the drafting contracts and negotiations with the shipyard for the purchase of 17 newbuild container vessels worth around US$2bn. Six of the vessels were amongst the largest container ships in the world at the time (18,000 teu).
• Assisted UAE-based Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) with the negotiation of a long-term contract for the hire of a floating storage regasification unit, as part of the UAE’s inaugural LNG Import Terminal at Jebel Ali.
• Advised Dubai-based charterers in relation to the drafting and negotiation of a 10-year LNG storage and regasification agreement and ancillary contracts, with a value of approximately US$450m.
• Advised a UAE-based shipyard on issues and claims (worth approximately US$50m) relating to delays related to the construction of a mobile offshore drilling unit and disputes with the original jacking equipment manufacturer.
• Advised on a contractor’s rights under a FIDIC 2006-based construction contract regarding an onshore construction project in the UAE.
• Advising a UAE-based developer regarding their rights under various FIDIC-based contracts relating to variations/extensions of time/delays and ensuing ICC arbitration proceedings.

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Shipping 2017–2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Energy: Oil & Gas 2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Lawyer 2019