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Shipping

Navigating global maritime challenges with practical legal solutions

As the shipping sector adapts to the decarbonisation agenda, changing international trade patterns and geopolitical risks, the need for robust, commercially focussed legal support has never been greater.

In an era of energy transition, heightened regulation, and global tensions, we understand the challenges that you face and how to protect you from evolving risks.

With the world’s largest dedicated shipping law team, comprising of over 220 maritime lawyers and a substantial group of Master Mariners, we provide unrivalled industry insight and end to end support across the full spectrum of shipping and maritime law.

Our expertise covers the entire lifecycle of a vessel, transactions, shipping contract disputes, admiralty and crisis management. From bills of lading, charterparties, ship arrests, collisions and marine casualties to cargo claims, marine insurance, and Protection & Indemnity (P&I), our lawyers are fully embedded within the industry and can speak your language.

With more top-tier rankings in leading independent legal directories Chambers and Legal 500 for shipping and maritime law than any other firm, we are recognised as a true global leader.

Our international presence spans every major shipping hub across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and the Americas, ensuring we are where you need us, when you need us.
Paul Dean
Partner, Global Head of Shipping

Related experience

In rem claim against 2391 bars of silver ex. “TILAWA”
Acting for the Republic of South Africa in relation to the defence of the salvage claim from Argentum Exploration Limited following the recovery of silver bars from the SS "TILAWA" on the basis of state immunity.
United Kingdom
Tom Walters
RoPax newbuild programme
Advising various New Zealand state owned entities on the programme for the construction of two new rail enabled ro pax ferries to be operated by KiwiRail, including advising on the tender process, shipbuilding contracts, financing, operational and associated infrastructure arrangements.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Travel, Cruise & Leisure Shipping & Maritime Transactions
William MacLachlan William MacLachlan
Ferry concession and operation agreements
Advising a national government on the development and maintenance of a strategically vital freight and passenger ferry service connecting their jurisdiction with various neighbouring jurisdictions, work over a number of years has included assisting them with the development and operation of a successful public tender process, advising on regulatory matters including with regard to competition, employment and other maritime regulations, drafting and negotiating the concession agreement and advising on a range of operational matters.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Commercial Contracts
Catherine Emsellem-Rope Catherine Emsellem Rope William MacLachlan William MacLachlan
RoPax newbuild programme
Advising various New Zealand state owned entities on the programme for the construction of two new rail enabled ro pax ferries to be operated by KiwiRail, including advising on the tender process, shipbuilding contracts, financing, operational and associated infrastructure arrangements.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Travel, Cruise & Leisure Shipping & Maritime Transactions
William MacLachlan William MacLachlan
Supply chain contracts for a multinational logistics company
Acting for a leading multinational logistics company drafting a range of bespoke contracts, including an integrated cold chain solution, an agreement for a new 3PL/4PL/ocean freight IT platform solution, and an Intra-Group Shipping Agreement for the client.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Commercial Contracts Logistics
Matthew Wilmshurst Matthew Gore Matthew Gore
Ferry concession and operation agreements
Advising a national government on the development and maintenance of a strategically vital freight and passenger ferry service connecting their jurisdiction with various neighbouring jurisdictions, work over a number of years has included assisting them with the development and operation of a successful public tender process, advising on regulatory matters including with regard to competition, employment and other maritime regulations, drafting and negotiating the concession agreement and advising on a range of operational matters.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Commercial Contracts
Catherine Emsellem-Rope Catherine Emsellem Rope William MacLachlan William MacLachlan
Supply chain contract drafting and update for international retailer
Advising a leading international clothing retailer on its contractual relationships with its international supply chain service providers, including preparing and updating template contracts for engaging with ocean carriers, freight managers, freight forwarders and road hauliers.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Commercial Contracts Logistics
Matthew Gore Matthew Gore
Green shipping fund expansion and vessel financing advisory
Advised sponsors on financing and incorporation of two methanol-fuelled vessels into a sustainable shipping fund, including operational contracts and lender arrangements, showcasing expertise in green shipping finance.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Asset Finance Carbon and Climate Finance
Gudmund Bernitz Katherine Noble
Amalgamation of South American bulk carrier business with leading Asian maritime operator
Advising Nachipa Corp, a South American dry bulk shipping company, on its award-winning merger with Hong Kong headquartered Cetus Maritime.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Alex Kyriakoulis Alex Kyriakoulis
Acquisition finance for offshore vessel fleet
Advised a Middle Eastern bank on acquisition financing for a 20‑vessel offshore fleet owned by a joint venture, addressing cross‑border structuring across United Arab Emirates, Greece, Singapore, Panama and Tuvalu.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Acquisition & Leveraged Finance Asset Finance
Tien Tai
Islamic financing of LPG carrier newbuilds
Advised a Middle Eastern shipping company on Islamic financing for five LPG carriers ordered from South Korean and Japanese shipyards, with deliveries scheduled for 2025.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Asset Finance Islamic Finance
Tien Tai
In rem claim against 2391 bars of silver ex. “TILAWA”
Acting for the Republic of South Africa in relation to the defence of the salvage claim from Argentum Exploration Limited following the recovery of silver bars from the SS "TILAWA" on the basis of state immunity.
United Kingdom
Tom Walters
Ferry concession and operation agreements
Advising a national government on the development and maintenance of a strategically vital freight and passenger ferry service connecting their jurisdiction with various neighbouring jurisdictions, work over a number of years has included assisting them with the development and operation of a successful public tender process, advising on regulatory matters including with regard to competition, employment and other maritime regulations, drafting and negotiating the concession agreement and advising on a range of operational matters.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Commercial Contracts
Catherine Emsellem-Rope Catherine Emsellem Rope William MacLachlan William MacLachlan
Supply chain contract drafting and update for international retailer
Advising a leading international clothing retailer on its contractual relationships with its international supply chain service providers, including preparing and updating template contracts for engaging with ocean carriers, freight managers, freight forwarders and road hauliers.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Commercial Contracts Logistics
Matthew Gore Matthew Gore
Marine and logistics services company LBO for Middle Eastern investment fund
Advising Shuaa Capital, the UAE's leading asset management and investment banking platform, in connection with the leveraged buy-out of Allianz Marine and Logistics Services Holding, a leading offshore oilfield services company.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Ian Chung
Acquisition finance for offshore vessel fleet
Advised a Middle Eastern bank on acquisition financing for a 20‑vessel offshore fleet owned by a joint venture, addressing cross‑border structuring across United Arab Emirates, Greece, Singapore, Panama and Tuvalu.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Acquisition & Leveraged Finance Asset Finance
Tien Tai
Islamic financing of LPG carrier newbuilds
Advised a Middle Eastern shipping company on Islamic financing for five LPG carriers ordered from South Korean and Japanese shipyards, with deliveries scheduled for 2025.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Asset Finance Islamic Finance
Tien Tai

Market recognition

Band 1: Transport: Shipping

Legal 500 London 2026

Band 1: Shipping

Chambers & Partners UK-wide 2026

Band 1: Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-Contentious

Chambers & Partners United Arab Emirates 2026

Band 1: Transportation: Shipping: Dispute Resolution

Chambers & Partners United Arab Emirates 2026

What the market says

They are, without question, the preeminent shipping solicitors’ firm in London, and likely internationally. They have a breadth of talent, expertise, and commercial nous unmatched in the field, with the capability to handle all types of shipping-related matters.

Legal 500 London 2026 – Transport: Shipping

The team at HFW is the obvious leader in the sector. The shipping team has an extremely strong cadre of junior partners who are closely involved in cases, as well as a strong bench of associates who can manage the heavy workloads generated by high-value litigation.

Legal 500 London 2026 – Transport: Shipping

They are an excellent team, full of quality people with great expertise.

Legal 500 London 2026 – Transport: Shipping

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

Chambers & Partners Australia 2026 – Shipping

Other sectors