Shipping disputes and contracts

We have handled hundreds of LMAA arbitrations, and a large number of court cases, in relation to charterparty, sale and purchase, shipbuilding and other contractual disputes.

Charterparty disputes and contracts

We do a huge amount of charterparty dispute work, covering a wide range of vessel types, and a very wide range of issues, including:

- Formation of charterparties – is there a binding contract (or guarantee)?

- Withdrawal and termination of charterparties

- Unsafe ports

- Early and late redelivery, and redelivery in the wrong place

- Charterparty consequences following accidents or breakdowns

- Bunker quality disputes

- Demurrage and detention disputes

- Off-hire

- Claims under guarantees

- Speed and performance disputes

- ICA claims

- Liens

- Ship arrest and asset attachment to secure or enforce claims worldwide

- Bareboat charter repossession

- Vetting issues

We also draft and negotiate long term shipping contracts including bareboat charterparties, long term time charterparties, contracts of affreightment, slot charters and related agreements.

Bills of Lading and cargo claims

We advise on issues ranging from description of cargo, clausing, blending and co-mingling through to the inter-relationship with charterparties and/or letters of credit, problems in transit, misdelivery claims, issues with title to sue, fire, infestation, GA and shortage claims.

We act for both carriers and cargo interests in cargo loss/damage claims covering bulk, liquid, reefer, unitized, containerised, and heavy lift and project cargoes.

Ship sale and purchase

We act for buyers and sellers on disputes arising out of the sale and purchase of vessels, covering issues such as:

- Disputes about condition of vessel when NOR is tendered

- Claims arising from previous owners

- Issues arising from diving inspections

- Cancellation and extensions

- Specific performance to deliver

We also assist with drafting and negotiation of MOAs and newbuilding resale transactions, and documentary closing of sale and purchase transactions.

Shipbuilding contracts and disputes

Our shipbuilding lawyers are experienced in negotiating shipbuilding contracts based on all of the major forms, with associated refund guarantees, for all major vessel types (including bulk carriers, oil tankers, chemical tankers, LNG/LPG carriers, passenger ferries and cruise vessels) for owners and for yards.  We draw on legal knowledge and practical experience to produce comprehensive, robust contracts, with a commercial approach that facilitates a good working rapport between parties who are working towards the same goal, and keeps costs manageable. Then we are always happy and proud to deal with legal closing and delivery for vessels with which we have been involved since the beginning.

We have come across the whole range of issues that arise from the time of signing of a shipbuilding contract up until delivery (and expiry of the warranty period).  We have deep experience in handling large, technical and document heavy arbitrations about shipbuilding and ship repair projects, including relating to especially high value assets such as drillships, semi-submersibles and FPSO units.

Other shipping related issues

We are experienced in broker commission disputes (having acted for both owners and brokers), and negligence type claims involving brokers, repair contractors and ship managers.

We draft port and terminal usage agreements, and are familiar with the day to day and more fundamental types of disputes that arise between port users and port operators.