/Home/Asia-Pacific/Shipping in Australia/HFW
View profile of HFW
Department profile
HFW
Department profile | HFW
Shipping

About

Provided by HFW

HFW is renowned as a global leader in all aspects of shipping and transport work. Our Australian shipping team is distinguished by its depth and the quality of our lawyers, who have many years of experience working in a variety of jurisdictions on a wide range of large and complex matters. Our expertise extends to the offshore energy sector where we advise on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters involving drilling rigs/ships, FPSOs, FLNG units and support vessels, as well as contracts for the chartering of specialist oil and LNG transport vessels and carriage of specialist cargoes.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Shipping - Australia

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

HFW's comprehensive Australia-wide coverage includes transactional and contentious shipping matters for all major sector players, as well as large-scale commodities exporters in the energy and resources and agriculture industries. Its shipping team works with a broad range of clients, including ship owners, insurers, financial institutions and shipyards and provides a comprehensive offering in the offshore energy sector. Its clients benefit from the team's membership of one of the world's largest international maritime practices.

Work Highlights

  • HFW acted for Grimaldi Lines in relation to an investigation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority of the tragic death of a crewmember of the RoRo vessel and subsequent criminal proceedings issued against the vessel's owners under the Navigation Act.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

HFW's expertise and advice are unsurpassed when it comes to shipping related matters.

Shipping respondent
Asia-Pacific

HFW are the best maritime law firm in Australia. They are highly professional and provide outstanding knowledge.

Shipping respondent
Asia-Pacific

The lawyers at HFW have a forensic attention to detail and determination to achieve the client's objective.

Shipping respondent
Asia-Pacific

The team are responsive, professional and thorough.

Shipping respondent
Asia-Pacific

They provide an efficient service, are easy to communicate with, give well-written advice and have an ability to explain complex legal terms and strategy to non-legal backgrounds.

Shipping respondent
Asia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Gavin Vallely
1
Gavin Vallely
1
Band 1

Gavin Vallely in Melbourne heads the firm's shipping, offshore and logistics practice. His expertise covers the full range of wet and dry litigation as well as non-contentious matters, including cargo disputes and investigations. His practice incorporates particularly extensive experience in the handling of cross-border issues, including arbitration.

Gavin Valley is the best around.

Gavin is exceptional at what he does and makes it very easy to work with what are sometimes complex matters.

View Profile
Maurice Thompson
2
Maurice Thompson
2
Band 2

Maurice Thompson brings nearly 30 years' experience in the shipping space. His practice covers the full spectrum of shipping matters, with particularly notable expertise in advising on high-stakes disputes and the operation of offshore oil and gas facilities. He is based in is Melbourne.

There would be few lawyers globally that could match his mix of academic brilliance, commercial acumen and ability to simplify complex advice for consumption.

Maurice Thompson oozes a steely confidence and iron resolve.

He is approachable, responsive and his advice is easy to digest. He is well experienced in the sector and knows the ropes.

Maurice applies a forensic attention to detail, has vast experience and will fight for your cause like it is his own.

View Profile
Stephen Thompson
2
Stephen Thompson
2
Band 2

Stephen Thompson in Sydney acts on both commercial and contentious matters, being particularly well known for his handling of commodities-related issues and matters affecting the operators of cruise lines.

Stephen is really helpful and really in the loop of trends and laws. He is my go-to for advice in Australia.

Stephen is really well connected and personable.

View Profile
Elizabeth Sloane
3
Elizabeth Sloane
3
Band 3

Elizabeth Sloane has earned praise from market commentators for her shipping litigation practice. She regularly advises on disputes arising from loss of cargo, pollution and casualties.

Elizabeth Sloane is fantastic.

View Profile

Ranked Lawyers at
HFW

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Australia

Shipping
Gavin Vallely
1
Gavin Vallely
1
Band 1
View Profile
Maurice Thompson
2
Maurice Thompson
2
Band 2
View Profile
Stephen Thompson
2
Stephen Thompson
2
Band 2
View Profile
Elizabeth Sloane
3
Elizabeth Sloane
3
Band 3
View Profile

Industries

Provided by HFW

Commodities

Energy

Insurance

Maritime

Offshore

Shipping

Transport