Shipping

4 Pump Court offers strength in depth at all levels of seniority across the full scope of both wet and dry shipping matters.

Our Shipping practice is recognised as a leader in the field and has played a significant role in numerous landmark cases. We are frequently instructed in disputes concerning admiralty (collision, salvage, towage and pilotage), bills of lading and charter parties (voyage, time and bareboat), cargo, dredging contracts, freight, liens, marine insurance, offshore and ship sale, and mortgage and financing. In addition, we have substantial Commodities and Shipbuilding practices.

We are also experienced in commercial shipping, shipbuilding and super/mega yacht disputes, including brokers’ commission claims and disputes concerning refund guarantees.

Members of our Shipping team regularly represent major ship owners, charterers, P&I clubs, shipyards, commodities houses and national governments. We act for clients internationally, with a particular focus on those based in major maritime centres including China, Greece, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, Singapore and the USA.

Much of our Shipping work is heard in arbitration, including under CIETAC, HKIAC, ICC, LCIA, LMAA and SCMA rules. Our barristers offer first-rate advocacy in admiralty and shipping litigation, in addition to court applications relating to arbitrations (including appeals and challenges, the enforcement of awards, and interim remedies such as freezing and anti-suit injunctions).

Our particular market advantage is in our established cross-practice experience between marine, construction and insurance work, which enables us to combine unparalleled legal insight with genuine understanding of the commercial realities facing our clients.