Shipping & Trade

Our highly specialist lawyers advise on all aspects of vessel collisions, groundings, ship fires, explosions, salvage and wreck removal. We assist vessel owners, insurers and operators in managing regulatory reporting and public relations, preserving evidence, determining liability, and resolving claims for damage to vessels, berths, terminals or personal injury in various jurisdictions. With a clear understanding of COLREGs, event-specific rules, and international conventions,  our 24-hour response service enables us to quickly mobilise key individuals and liaise with in order that crucial evidence is preserved and early investigation achieved. This includes liaising with surveyors, salvors, insurers and other experts as necessary. Members of the team include ex-mariners with a wealth of experience in dealing with casualties and related investigations. 

• Represented a major UK passenger ferry operator and its insurers in connection with a serious incident on board one of its ferries. In addition to being involved in the initial casualty response as part of the Emergency Response Team, subsequently advised the clients in relation to the personal injury claims brought against them, one of which involved ground-breaking PTSD allegations.
• Acted on quantum claims amounting to US$32 million in the Admiralty Court following a high-value three-ship collision in the Suez Canal.
• Advised on a Ro-Ro vessel casualty and handling incoming cargo claims arising from over 1,000 bills of lading.
• Advised on over 1,200 general average claims stemming from a containership fire.
• Advised and acted for cargo owners in a high-value salvage claim through to a hearing and arbitration award.
• Advised and acted for a shipowner following a ship collision, and subsequent assessment of collision liability and quantum damages.
• Represented a major UK passenger ferry operator and its insurers in connection with a serious incident on board one of its ferries. In addition to being involved in the initial casualty response as part of the Emergency Response Team, subsequently advised the clients in relation to the personal injury claims brought against them, one of which involved ground-breaking PTSD allegations.
• Acting for the same steel company in a dispute with the owners whose vessel collided into a quay in Liberia belonging to the steel company. The claim for damages is circa US$3m.
• Representing owners and P&I/H&M in relation to an explosion on board a tanker vessel in the UAE, resulting in the death of 5 crew members. Taking crew statements and preparing investigation reports. Liaising with the local authorities regarding the release of the crew.
• Assisting owners and P&I/H&M regarding a collision that occurred in Jebel Ali Port. Significant damage was incurred to both vessels, with amounts in dispute of approximately US$17m. We assisted with emergency casualty response, attending on board to take crew statements and preparing an investigation report into the incident.
• Advising owners and P&I on seaworthiness, general average and other issues arising from a breakdown of main gearbox in the UAE and subsequent towage shipyard in Oman.
• Assisting owners following allision of vessel with a Saudi Aramco structure in Saudi Arabia, with damages of approximately US$2m. Assisting with consideration of liability and cause, as well as quantum and negotiations with Saudi Aramco for resolution of the matter.

Our specialist Shipping & Trade lawyers provide strategic advice on domestic and international vessel arrests, asset seizures, assisting shipowners, charterers, and cargo owners navigate complex international and domestic legal frameworks to enforce rights against vessels or maritime assets. By leveraging our extensive experience, both domestically and internationally, we can advise on strategic asset tracing, negotiating settlements, and pursuing legal remedies across jurisdictions, helping clients recover debts, enforce liens, and protect their interests in the most complex high-value maritime transactions, while minimising disruption to commercial operations.

• Advised a regional bank as lender in relation to the first cross-border ship financing transactions in their local market, including facilities for a global ship operator’s acquisition of ice breaker vessels and arctic tankers, in each case using a customary international structure and security package, including registered ship mortgages, deeds of covenant, earnings assignments and account security.
• Advised Citibank and Nordea as mandated lead arrangers in relation to a USD 1.058 billion syndicated senior secured loan facility for Frontline, for the refinancing of 48 tanker vessels.
• Advised Nordea as mandated lead arranger in relation to a USD 500 million senior secured loan facility for Teekay, structured to permit a sale and leaseback of vessels during the term, without further lender approval or interruption in the security coverage.
• Advised a financial institution as potential purchaser of a portfolio of international shipping loans.
• Advised the London branch of an Indian bank on the enforcement of their term loan facilities in connection with two panamaxes and advised on the procedure for arresting ships in China and in the Netherlands.
• Acted for owners in successful applications on appeal for the release of vessels from arrest without the provision of security in Italy, France, Greece and Holland.
• Acted for owners in an English arrest and successfully obtaining an order from the Commercial Court requiring counter-security to be posted as a precondition of retaining security posted to release the vessel.
• Assisted clients with the arrest of assets and vessels in multiple jurisdictions in support of their claims in London arbitration proceedings.
• Acted for and advised clients on the exercising of liens over cargo.
• Successfully defended owners in an LMAA arbitration concerning enforcement of a Swiss garnishee order by charterers.
• Frequently obtained security for judgements or awards, through arrest of shipping assets, often in other jurisdictions. At one time had procured the simultaneous arrest of 7 Romanian Government-owned ships in France by persuading French courts to look behind the statutes of incorporation of the various government agencies involved.

Our Shipping & Trade team assist clients on a range of commodities and connected contracts, including contentious and non-contentious disputes, including: the sale of soft and hard commodities on bespoke and standard forms on main Incoterms, including FOSFA and GAFTA; the transfer of property and risk under commodities sales contract; contracts of bailment, including storage and warehouse contracts; bills of lading; financial facilities; letters of credit and performance guarantees; insurance including Institute Cargo Clauses A, B and C; contracts of affreightment, and logistic contracts; claims involving cargo contamination and off-spec cargoes; cargo shortage and contamination claims; bunker supply agreements; letters of indemnity / undertaking; and LNG SPAs and MSAs. Our expertise includes advising clients in various cargo and trade disputes across the main arbitration bodies including GAFTA, FOSFA, RSA, LME, LCIA, ICC, SIAC and ad-hoc arbitrations.

• Advised on bills of lading and charterparty disputes concerning a wide range of matters including implied bill of lading contracts, bailment, title to sue, short delivery claims, failure to properly care for cargo, and unseaworthy claims.
• Acted for a leading international cargo insurer in LMAA claims brought in the name of its assured for unauthorised deviation and misappropriation of cargoes in China under a contract of affreightment.
• Assisted a Middle Eastern logistics company with ongoing work relating to port concessions, warehousing and the provision of ground services to counterparties in the region.
• Advised a major supermarket chain in the UK on the procurement for the provision of sea freight services and negotiated sea freight contracts with major shipping container companies.
• Advised a logistics group in Egypt on their slot agreements, bills of lading and freight forwarding agreements and related disputes.
• Negotiated gas up cool down agreements in relation to the services provided to owners of LNG carriers.
• Acted on behalf of a buyer in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising from a contract of sale of steels for non-payment of the contract price and the alleged counterclaim of off-spec cargo.
• Advised on contracts for the carriage of goods including charterparties, CoAs and bills of lading; GA, limitation and salvage issues.
• Acted in a LCIA arbitration for sellers of a cargo shipped from Richards Bay Coal Terminal to India under a sale and purchase on SCOTA terms.
• Advised PD Ports on a roll-on roll-off stevedoring contract with leading freight haulier, CLdN.
• Drafted and negotiated a 20-year port handling and logistics services contract with a major steel stockholder.
• Drafted a suite of template logistics and warehousing agreements for a global transport and logistics company.
• Negotiated a major logistics outsourcing agreement for UK-wide freight services for a plastics manufacturer.
• Advised on a complex framework agreement for business-critical customs and freight-forwarding services across Europe.
• Advised various clients on international freight conventions.
• Supported a tech-enabled operator of EV lorries and charging infrastructure with the development of its master customer agreement.

Our Shipping & Trade lawyers provide specialist advice and guidance on the full range of charterparty agreements and issues, including: laytime, demurrage, freight, unpaid hire, off hire, suspension, termination & withdrawal, speed and performance, hull fouling and damage, pool agreements, unsafe ports, late and non-delivery, and early and late redelivery. Our expertise covers all types of charterparty, from tankers to bulk carriers and from containers to the LNG market, and all forms of hybrid contracts in between, as well as bespoke charterparties and contracts of affreightment. We represent clients in all forms of arbitration including LMAA, LCIA, ICC, SCMA and ad-hoc arbitrations, with a seat in London or anywhere in the world. 

• Acted for Danish owners of offshore supply vessels in a complex SUPPLYTIME 2005 LMAA arbitration.
• Advised on and acted for clients on matters and disputes relating to claims for demurrage/damages for detention under voyage charters.
• Acted in an arbitration in a charter party dispute involving build delay and breach of contract. Claim of £3m.
• Acted in LMAA arbitration Charter Party Dispute breach of contract and issues of foreign law. Claim of £2m.
• Acted for charterers as respondents in LMAA arbitration for rectification of a bareboat charterparty.
• Acting for a shipowner for unpaid demurrage arising from discharge delays due to alleged cargo contamination during voyage.
• Advised on a claim in LMAA arbitration against charterers of a Ro-Ro passenger ferry vessel for wrongful termination of an amended Linertime 2015 charterparty, with claims of €5.8 million.
• 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.
• Acted on behalf of shipowners in HKIAC arbitration in connection with unpaid freight under the voyage charters.
• Acted on behalf of a bank in High Court proceedings in respect of a dispute arising out of the alleged fraudulent charterparty.
• Represented numerous shipowners and their insurers in charter party disputes.
• 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.
• Advised charterers under an NYPE 1946 time charterparty on disputes relating to unpaid hire and stevedore fees and assisted the clients in LMAA small claims arbitration.
• 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.

Our Shipping & Trade lawyers assist our clients with ongoing live issues and potential disputes, advising on potential early resolution through negotiations or more formal dispute resolution processes, if relevant. We have extensive experience representing shipping & trade clients in litigation and arbitration under all the main arbitral rules including LMAA, ICC, LCIA, SCMA, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC, DIAC, ADIAC and UNCITRAL Rules, as well as LOF salvage arbitrations. We also advise on taking steps to seize assets and enforce arbitral awards. 

• Acted for owners in a dispute involving a change of commercial and technical management of a fleet of 26 vessels.
• 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.
• Successfully defended a global Malaysian energy company in Commercial Court proceedings commenced by owners for alleged losses arising from the detention of a vessel by the Thai Customs Authorities.
• Acted for clients in a complex bareboat purchase dispute in concurrent London arbitrations, involving four Suezmax tankers, two of which had been requisitioned.
• Advised clients in disputes arising under a shipbuilding contract for chemical tankers.
• Advised and represented clients in a dispute arising out of the cutting of an undersea telecommunication cable.
• Acted and advised multiple clients on issues arising under cargo carried under bills of lading, straight and seaway bills.
• Advised and acted for clients in cargo claims governed by English law in various jurisdictions.
• Advised and acted for clients in claims and/or disputes arising under the Inter-Club New York Produce Exchange Agreement.
• Acted for shipowners in the case of The Sea Master 1 Lloyd’s Rep 101.
• Advised and acted for shipowners and charterers in disputes involving off-hire.
• Advised and acted for shipowners and charterers in bunker disputes under time charterers, including the supply of contaminated bunkers.
• Acted for and advised clients on the exercising of liens over cargo.
• Negotiated a widely reported settlement agreement between Delta Tankers and Transneft arising out of a $60m port claim in Primorsk, Russia.
• Negotiated a multimillion-dollar settlement between numerous claimants and a Ukrainian state entity with multiple vessels detained in India.
• Successfully acted in the English High Court in an important marine insurance case on behalf of a Singapore company to recover a multimillion-dollar claim against Baominh Insurance Corporation of Vietnam arising out of the total loss of a floating dock.
• Acting for client in successful negotiations with boat builder in respect of snagging items and faulty works.
• Acting for owner in negotiated settlement with boat builder regarding faulty engines.
• Acting for a shipowner claiming unpaid bunker fuel under a time charter and subsequent LMAA arbitration against charterers.
• Advised an offshore contractor in relation to significant disputes under a contract for subsea diving support services.
• Advised, and acted in an arbitration for, an owner of semi-submersible drilling rigs in relation to claims against a shipyard in the region of US$110m and US$12m. The main issues included delay in delivery, permissible delay, defects, warranty items and loss of hire.
• Represented owners in a leading case on equitable set-off from charter hire in the context of a five-year time charter.
• Acted for numerous shipping clients in LMAA Arbitrations against a variety of Romanian Government agencies.

Our Shipping & Trade lawyers assist our clients with ongoing live issues and potential disputes, advising on potential early resolution through negotiations or more formal dispute resolution processes, if relevant. We have extensive experience representing shipping & trade clients in litigation and arbitration under all the main arbitral rules including LMAA, ICC, LCIA, SCMA, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC, DIAC, ADIAC and UNCITRAL Rules, as well as LOF salvage arbitrations. We also advise on taking steps to seize assets and enforce arbitral awards.

• Acted on behalf of a buyer in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising from a contract of sale of steels for non-payment of the contract price and the alleged counterclaim of off-spec cargo.
• Advised commodities traders on many FOSFA arbitrations in connection with various claims (including sunflower seeds oil contamination claims, non-performance of soybean futures contracts, unlawful termination of a fish oil sale contract).
• Acted on behalf of a buyer in a FOSFA arbitration commenced by the seller against it for demurrage under the contract of sale of soy beans.
• Advised a commodities trader on a GAFTA arbitration in connection with a joint venture agreement for the sale and purchase of fertilizers.
• Acted on behalf of the seller in High Court litigation for non-payment of the contract price for the sale of fish.
• Advised a commodities trader on SMA arbitrations for disputes arising from a series of contracts of sales of DDGS.
• Acted on behalf of a commodity trader (seller) to defend a claim brought by the buyer for non-delivery of the goods under a fuel oil sale and purchase agreement. The claimant claimed, amongst other losses, its loss of profit in the derivative trading backed by the goods as well as an indemnity for the damages claimed by the downstream buyer. The total claim amount was approximately USD10 million.
• Acted on behalf of a major Chinese commodity trader in relation to disputes arising out of non-delivery or late delivery in connection with of 15 upstream purchase contracts and 15 downstream purchase sale contracts of Ukraine sunflower seeds on different Incoterms including CIF, CFR, DAP, FAC, FOB. The complexity of the matter was caused by the fact that the upstream contracts and the downstream contracts were not on back-to-back terms. The total claims amounts were approximately USD21 million.
• Represented many Amazon traders on their claims against Amazon for Amazon’s unreasonable suspension of their account and sale links. All the disputed accounts were fully re-opened and the sale links were reinstated.
• Represented one of the largest state-owned commodity traders in China in an LCIA arbitration commenced by the claimant seller against respondent buyer for the alleged demurrage arising from a contract of sale of thermal coal in bulk between the parties. The total claims value was approximately USD2 million.
• Advised a commodity trader on SMA arbitrations for disputes arising from a series of contracts of sales of DDGS. The total amount of the claims was approximately USD20 million.
• Acted on behalf of a commodity trader in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising from a contract of sale of steels for non-payment of the contract price and the alleged counterclaim of off-spec cargo. The total amount of the claims was approximately USD9 million.
• Advised commodity traders on numerous FOSFA arbitrations in connection with various claims (including sunflower seeds oil contamination claims, non-performance of soybean futures contracts, unlawful termination of a fish oil sale contract).
• Advised a commodity trader on a GAFTA arbitration in connection with a joint venture agreement for the sale and purchase of fertilizers.
• Advised a large Singaporean commodity trader in connection with the sale of a consignment of uncontractual GMO wheat crop that was rejected following tests carried out by South Korean authorities. Dispute subject to English law under GAFTA Rules. The claim is estimated at circa US$2.5m.
• Advised a Hong Kong trader in connection with the aborted sale and purchase of 70,000 metric tons of rice from Argentina to Bangladesh. The dispute is subject to English law, GAFTA procedure and the dispute centres on legal issues re the actual quantum of the loss, if any. The claim is circa US$750,000.
• Acted for Egyptian buyers of French durum wheat in a GAFTA arbitration concerning rejection of documents tendered under a CIF contract.

Our specialist lawyers advised on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including: standard-form hull and machinery insurance for vessels; mortgagees’ interest and additional insurance; business interruption; P&I; loss of hire; general average absorption; group and reinsurance policies; bespoke and standard–form cargo insurance policies; issues relating to coverage, causation, breach of warranty and allegations of non-disclosure; subrogation, and contribution; and recovery of salvage amounts. 

Acted for owners and a P&I club in a successful LMAA Arbitration arising from quarantine restrictions at the Port of Mumbai.

Acted for a leading international cargo insurer in LMAA claims brought in the name of its assured for unauthorised deviation and misappropriation of cargoes in China under a contract of affreightment.

Advised on a container lessee default insurance claim, including a US$26 million dispute against Textainer Group Holdings, heard before the Commercial Court ( EWHC 1995 (Comm)) and subsequently the Court of Appeal ( EWCA Civ 547).

Advised on over 1,200 general average claims stemming from a containership fire.

Successfully acted in the English High Court in an important marine insurance case on behalf of a Singapore company to recover a multimillion-dollar claim against Baominh Insurance Corporation of Vietnam arising out of the total loss of a floating dock.

Advised insurers under shipbuilding contracts connection with force majeure events in Bulgaria.

Advised on the merger of two large P and I clubs.

Advised on the solvency of the International Group Pool and the use of bonds to support reserves.

Comparative advice on the treatment by two different regulators of the use of equalisation reserves under Solvency II.

Advised on the opening of a branch office of a P and I club in the UK.

Our dedicated shipbuilding team advise on all aspects of shipbuilding contracts, assisting clients throughout the entire lifecycle of the project, including: drafting, reviewing and negotiating newbuilding contracts and ship repair & conversion contracts; disputes relating to condition of vessel; cancellations & terminations; claims under refund and other guarantees; delay & disruption; force majeure; and newbuilding financing issues & disputes. Our clients include ship owners, shipyards, offshore contractors, financiers and insurers involved in the construction, repair and conversion of all types of vessels, from conventional commercial ships to more specialist vessels including LNG vessels, drilling units and platforms, FPSOs and other vessels used in the offshore sector.

• Acted for a major Qatari shipowner in a series of SIAC arbitrations relating to the termination of shipbuilding contracts, with claims of approximately $150m.
• 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.
• Acted for a steel company in its negotiations to construct, operate and manage the building of two Polar Class vessels to operate in the Arctic.
• Advised an employer under a contract relating to construction works for onshore gas supply project. We advised on employer’s rights against the contractor regarding delays to the project, including drafting and commenting on determination letters and other correspondence and advised on dispute resolution/settlement procedures under the contract.
• Advised the owner of a passenger ferry in relation to the cancellation of the shipbuilding contract. The main issues included termination under the shipbuilding contract and at common law, refund of pre-paid instalments and recovery of general damages at common law.
• Advised various shipyards and owners in relation to construction, delivery and warranty issues in relation to superyachts and passenger and cargo vessels.
• Advised an offshore engineering company on an ad hoc arbitration in connection with a dispute arising from the delay in completing an offshore construction project.
• Acted on behalf of a yard in an LMAA arbitration to defend the owner’s claim for loss and damage suffered as a result of the alleged structural defects in the newbuild.
• Advised insurers under shipbuilding contracts connection with force majeure events in Bulgaria.
• Advised a PRC state-owned shipbuilding company on an LMAA arbitration commenced by a buyer of four container feeder vessels. The claimant alleged that the shipyard repudiated the shipbuilding contracts and claimed return of the advance payments and damages for approximately £93 million. The shipyard counterclaimed for damages of approximately £1.6 million. The total value of the claims was approximately USD94 million.
• Advised a PRC state-owned shipbuilding company on two Memoranda of Agreement (“MOAs”) for the sale of an oil/chemical carrier and a product oil tanker respectively. Assisted the client with the drafting and negotiating of the MOAs with the buyer. The total value of the claim was USD50 million.
• Advised a seller/builder on an LMAA arbitration commenced by the seller/builder against the buyer’s parent company for payment of the contract price under the payment guarantee provided by the parent company.
• Advised the seller on an LMAA arbitration commenced by the buyer for refund of the advance payments made by the buyer to the seller on account of the vessel due to non-delivery of the vessel.
• Advised a shipyard in an HKIAC arbitration in connection with the buyer’s termination of the shipbuilding contract.
• Advised a shipyard on an LMAA arbitration for a dispute arising from a shipbuilding contract for construction of a 3100 TEU Container Vessel and the associated option agreement. The matter involved two vessels, the total value of which were nearly USD70 million.
• Advised a Chinese shipyard on a dispute arising out of a ship design agreement for the design of reefer vessels. Advised the client on its claim against the ship design company for loss and damages arising from the design company’s negligent design. The total claim amount was approximately USD7 million.
• Advised a Chinese shipyard on the disposal of 16 shipbuilding contracts, the performance of which ran into difficulties due to the fact that the de facto buyer of these vessels (who guaranteed the performance of the contracts by the legal buyers) went into judicial management proceedings. The total amount at stake was approximately USD416 million.

Our expert shipping team advise on lease, debt, and equity financing for a wide range of shipping and offshore energy assets, including newbuildings, conversions, and upgrades. We act for owners, investors, and financiers, delivering advice on structuring, documentation, and regulatory compliance. Our team supports clients through all stages of a transaction, from term sheet to closing, ensuring that risks are managed and financing arrangements align with project and business objectives. 

• Acted for a Chinese shipbuilder on their seller’s credit facility and security agreements in relation to the sale of two high-specification containerships in a deal worth US$74 million.
• Acted for the financing arm of one of the world’s most reputable shipping companies in the provision of a revolving credit loan to a digital trade finance platform.
• Acted for a Hong Kong-based hedge fund on a $14.5 million term facility provided for the refinancing of two crude Isle of Man flagged oil tankers which were bareboat chartered out to a major intra-Asia shipowner. The transaction coincided with the exit of a leading Chinese financial institution.
• Acted for the financing arm of a US listed corporation on a $20 million refinancing of an Italian built 50m superyacht, documenting the loan and security, considering insolvency risks and enforcement scenarios.
• Advised a UAE-based shipping and logistics group on their exit negotiations with an outgoing lender in relation to a $77 million term loan facility secured by four vessels and assisted with the refinancing and structuring of an ijara lease finance with a leading Middle Eastern financial institution.
• Advised a Greek ship-owning group on a US$143 million refinancing project with a French financial institution.
• Advised European and Korean investment funds on $250 million debt financing secured on two FLNG vessels.
• Advised Korean investment fund on a cost over-run financing for a $300 million FPSO upgrade.
• Advised financiers on a $260 million project finance facility for Sovcomflot’s acquisition and chartering of ice-class LNG carrier for Yamal Russian Arctic LNG project – awarded Marine Money Project Financing Deal of the Year 2018.
• Advised a Japanese bank on $70 million equity bridge financing for design, construction and financing of 5 LNG carriers.
• Advised European banks on £1.5 billion financings for three ultra-deepwater drillships.
• Advised TUI UK on financing, chartering, acquisition, chartering, sale and recycling arrangements for eleven cruise ships and three river vessels.
• Advised a European bank on €110 million secured term loan facility for construction of luxury private passenger vessel.
• Advised a government agency on the purchase of a fleet of fast interceptor, rescue and patrol vessels.
• Advised on numerous yacht purchases, sales, financings and design/construction contracts.
• Acted for a leading Saudi Arabian marine services company successfully defending an anti-suit injunction in the Commercial Court and later an LCIA arbitration in relation to a US$20m minority shareholder and unfair prejudice dispute arising under a shareholders’ agreement with a major international shipping line.
• Established a ship-management joint venture company in England for owners and advised on the handover of commercial and technical management.
• Acted in the refinancing and restructuring of an entire state-owned fleet.
• Advised a Korean investment fund on a cost overrun financing for a $300 million FPSO upgrade.
• Advised a Japanese bank on $70 million equity bridge financing for the design, construction and financing of five LNG carriers.
• Advised European banks on £1.5 billion financings for three ultra-deepwater drillships.
• Designed a lending structure for residual value in Panamax and Ultramax bulk carriers.

We advise on all aspects of ship sale, purchase, and recycling, providing seamless transactional support across the full spectrum of vessel types, from commercial cargo ships and tankers to highly specialist offshore vessels. We also represent clients in high-value disputes involving issues such as condition on delivery, late or non-delivery, breaches of warranties, misrepresentation, non-payment of purchase price or deposit, issues arising from regulatory, sanctions or compliance breaches, cancellation and termination issues.

• Assisted with numerous sale and purchase transactions based on NSF1993 and NSF2012.
• Advised TUI UK on financing, chartering, acquisition, chartering, sale and recycling arrangements for eleven cruise ships and three river vessels.
• Advised the shipping arm of a UAE-based conglomerate on their tanker fleet acquisition, assisted with joint venture and shareholders’ agreements and shareholders’ loans.
• Assisted UAE-based UASC with the drafting of 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).
• Advised a Nigerian offshore vessel owner in relation to the purchase of 3 offshore support vessels, with a transaction value of over US$60m, and 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.

Our team of experienced lawyer understand how sanctions and compliance matters affect global maritime operations. Assisting shipowners, charterers, and insurers, in navigating complex regulatory frameworks, including UK, EU, and US sanctions regimes, our team provides practical guidance on due diligence, contractual protections, and risk mitigation. With deep industry knowledge, we help clients maintain compliant operations, respond to enforcement action, and manage exposure in an evolving geopolitical and regulatory landscape. 

• Employment due diligence and M&A advice in connection with the auction tendering of a multinational shipping company with offices in approximately seven jurisdictions.
• Advised clients on liabilities, limitation of liability and exclusions under the Hague and Hague Visby Rules.
• Advised an international shipping company on the impact of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) on its seafarers’ terms and conditions of employment and preparing MLC-compliant crewing agreements.

Our shipping tax specialists combine deep knowledge of maritime operations with technical tax expertise to support ship-owners, charterers and maritime financiers. We advise on VAT, customs and tonnage tax across global trades, structure vessel acquisition and ownership to optimise tax-efficiency, and assist with regulatory and cross-border tax challenges in the shipping sector.

• Advised a major international freight transporter on the VAT implications of freight container movements and repairs.
• Advised a Georgian client on the structuring of a project to develop a substantial new port and other facilities.
• Advising a Swedish shipping group on its restructuring through the use of new Netherlands holding companies.

Marine employment and crew matters requires specialist knowledge. Our leading lawyers act for shipowners, operators, and crew, advising on employment contracts, incentive arrangements, staff restructuring, disciplinary issues, repatriation, and compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). We help clients to manage workforce risks and disputes, and to maintain smooth vessel operations in line with international maritime standards. 

• Advised UK and international shipping businesses on senior executives’ and directors’ terms of employment and employee incentive arrangements.
• Advised on crewing agreement requirements for UK flag leisure vessels.
• Employment due diligence and M&A advice in connection with the auction tendering of a multinational shipping company with offices in approximately seven jurisdictions.
• Successfully defended an international shipping group in the Employment Appeal Tribunal against whistleblowing and breach of contract claims against a former executive director. The EAT considered the extent to which the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 may be applied extra-territorially, in particular in connection with unfair dismissal rights.
• Prepared and advised on crewing agreements and confidentiality agreements for the crew of a high-net-worth individual’s private yacht.
• Advised an international shipping company on the impact of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) on its seafarers’ terms and conditions of employment and preparing MLC-compliant crewing agreements.
• Created and advised on a ‘Build, Operate, Transfer’ staffing model for a global natural resources business.