Shipping | UK

HFW has a premier shipping practice with expertise across the full range of wet and dry work. It routinely acts for industry-leading clients on sophisticated, high-value matters. The firm is notable for the depth of its experience in piracy issues. In addition, it is also proficient at advising on offshore contracts. The team has additional expertise in cybersecurity and technological matters pertaining to shipping.

Reed Smith has an accomplished shipping group housing a deep bench of practitioners with the capability to act for clients on the full range of shipping issues. It works with a large number of international clients on contentious and non-contentious matters including both wet and dry work. The firm is known for its work on London-based arbitrations. The team is routinely sought after for advice by a range of clients, including shipping, transport, energy and commodities sector organisations. Additionally, the firm's lawyers provide expert guidance on salvage and wreck removal.

Clyde & Co has an established shipping practice with strong capabilities covering wet and dry shipping matters. The firm acts for a range of clients, including cargo owners, ship owners and operators, P&I clubs, port authorities, ship builders and insurers. It has a strong international presence and cross-border skills.

Preston Turnbull is a respected boutique firm active across the gamut of shipping matters. The firm's expertise spans charter party disputes, cargo claims, casualty matters, contract disputes and ship finance. It is experienced in acting for clients in arbitrations and High Court proceedings. The team represents a broad range of clients including ship owners, banks, charterers and P&I clubs.

Stephenson Harwood has a highly thought-of shipping practice that works across the full breadth of shipping matters. The firm has a particular focus on shipbuilding and charter party disputes. In addition, the team is noted for its experience in the offshore sector as well as its ship finance expertise. The team also handles FPSO disputes and casualty matters.

Watson Farley & Williams is adept at handling a range of shipping matters, including charter parties, ship sale and purchase, and management agreements. The team has particular capabilities in ship loan and mortgage enforcements and in contentious insolvency issues. The firm's clients benefit from its considerable international presence. It also handles matters relating to containers, terminals, ports, yachts and cruises.

Wikborg Rein regularly acts for clients in the shipping and offshore industries including owners, offshore contractors and financiers. It routinely undertakes work on maritime casualties, shipbuilding, and vessel sale and purchase. The firm possesses a specialist LNG practice covering finance, shipping and trade.

Nautica Law advises on wet and dry shipping matters for a variety of large international clients. The firm acts for salvors, P&I clubs and ship owners. It specialises in matters including charter party disputes, vessel sale and purchase, and emergency response.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a highly regarded international shipping practice with regular work on dispute resolution, regulatory matters and investigations. It is recognised for particular strength in marine insurance as well as shipping finance. The firm regularly acts for prominent shipping industry clients on high-profile work. The team's clients include insurers, banks and ship operators.

The London branch of Schjødt, Scandinavia's largest shipping firm, provides a one-stop service across wet and dry shipping. It is capable in a variety of shipping work, including groundings and collisions, shipbuilding and construction, and sale and purchase, among others. The firm is adept at advising on both arbitration and litigation in the High Court.

Birketts handles a range of wet and dry shipping matters for large international clients including P&I clubs, owners and charterers. The firm works with clients on both contentious and non-contentious issues. It exhibits strength in acting before the courts and in arbitration proceedings. The team is also well regarded for its expertise in marine and shipping insurance.

Penningtons Manches Cooper works with clients on wet and dry shipping matters. It has acknowledged abilities in contract disputes, maritime casualties and marine insurance matters. Other areas of expertise include pollution and marine personal injury matters. The department has a notable global presence buttressed by its offices in Europe, Singapore, São Paulo and San Francisco. In addition, the firm offers expertise in yachts.

Winter & Co Solicitors has a stable of dedicated maritime lawyers who advise clients on issues such as charter party disputes, as well as bills of lading and P&I insurance contracts. Its client base includes the likes of insurers and P&I clubs, charterers and oil companies.

Lester Aldridge is capable of handling both wet and dry shipping matters. It acts for owners on a range of issues, with a particular focus on superyacht matters, such as collision liability, sale and purchase, and contract negotiations. The firm also maintains a strong maritime personal injury and marine regulation practice. The team's clients include marine insurers, port authorities and yacht owners.

Squire Patton Boggs has a commodities and shipping group that provides multidisciplinary services to ship owners and cargo owners. The firm's work includes ship sale and purchase transactions, financings, cargo claims and marine insurance matters.

Weightmans possesses a notable practice representing charterers, P&I clubs, logistics companies and yacht insurers. It is also known for its work for operators, particularly those based near the Irish Sea. The team is proficient in issues surrounding port and terminal liability. Weightmans is highlighted for its strength in marine law matters and provides shipping companies with contract expertise.

Keystone Law has wide-ranging expertise across its marine and shipping teams covering contentious and non-contentious mandates. The firm's experience includes insurance disputes, collisions and salvage claims, product liability, ship finance, refinance and restructuring, debt finance, lease finance, equity finance, and joint venture and shareholder agreements.