Legalseas

Legal and market updates from our maritime lawyers around the world

Our shipping law insights provide legal and market commentary, addressing the key questions and topics of interest to our clients operating in the shipping industry, helping them to effectively manage risk.

The knowledge of our global shipping lawyers encompasses every aspect of shipping law, including admiralty and marine-related matters. We provide the information charterers, marine insurance providers, ship financiers and shipowners need in order to navigate the changes and challenges facing the industry, including new environmental regulations and ship safety standards, the latest developments in shipping finance, and the move towards digitalization.

Recent insights

“<em>The Lila Lisbon</em>”: Court of Appeal recognises loss of bargain damages under clause 14 of the Norwegian Saleform 2012

“The Lila Lisbon”: Court of Appeal recognises loss of bargain damages under clause 14 of the Norwegian Saleform 2012

Where Sellers have failed to use reasonable diligence to deliver a vessel by the prescribed cancelling date, are the Buyers entitled (absent repudiation) to loss-of-bargain damages upon cancellation of the agreement (on the NORWEGIAN SALEFORM 2012)? Yes, said the Court of Appeal in Orion Shipping and Trading LLC v Great Asia Maritime Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1210.

Global | Publication | October 16, 2025

Developments in USTR actions on Chinese and foreign vessels

The USTR's Section 301 actions targeting Chinese and other foreign vessels is set to take effect on October 14, 2025.

Global | Publication | October 13, 2025

US FMC's "Flags of Convenience" investigation advances

The FMC initiated a nonadjudicatory investigation this year.

United States | Publication | September 02, 2025

<em>CAFI v. GTCS Trading DMCC</em> [2025] EWHC 1350 (Comm): Overlapping arbitration clauses and a hat trick of arbitral failings under the Arbitration Act 1996

CAFI v. GTCS Trading DMCC [2025] EWHC 1350 (Comm): Overlapping arbitration clauses and a hat trick of arbitral failings under the Arbitration Act 1996

Where parties have entered into two related contracts with identical arbitration clauses, can a Tribunal constituted under the first contract determine the effect of a clause, found in the second contract, on the parties’ rights under the first contract?

Global | Publication | September 01, 2025

English Commercial Court Dismisses Jurisdiction and Bias Challenges to LMAA Award: <em>V & Anor v K</em>

English Commercial Court Dismisses Jurisdiction and Bias Challenges to LMAA Award: V & Anor v K

In V & Anor v K [2025] EWHC 1523 (Comm), the Commercial Court has dismissed jurisdictional and serious irregularity challenges under sections 67 and 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 arising out of an LMAA arbitration.

Global | Publication | August 20, 2025

Navigating charterparty conditions and financing friction: The quiet power of letters of quiet enjoyment

The recent Singapore High Court decision in The “CHLOE V” [2025] SGHC 142 explores the legal and commercial tensions that arise at the intersection of ship finance, charterparty negotiations, and mortgagee enforcement rights.

EMEA | Publication | August 08, 2025

Lessons from <em>Chugga Chugg v Privinvest</em>: Renunciation and guarantee classification

Lessons from Chugga Chugg v Privinvest: Renunciation and guarantee classification

The judgment of Chugga Chugg Pty Ltd v Privinvest Holding SAL [2025] EWHC 585 (Comm) discusses important issues concerning renunciation and the classification of guarantees as instruments of primary or secondary liability.

Global | Publication | June 25, 2025

Hague Rules remain “Paramount” in the face of inconsistent contractual provisions: “The Alion”

Where the Hague or Hague Visby Rules have been contractually incorporated into a bill of lading but conflict with other contractual provisions under that same bill, which regime should take priority? The Rules, said the Commercial Court in Tanga Pharmaceuticals Plastics Limited & Ors v Emirates Shipping Line FZE (The Alion) [2025] EWHC 368 (Comm).

Global | Publication | June 03, 2025

USTR announces significant fees on Chinese and other vessels

On April 17, the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) released its Notice of Action and Proposed Action in Section 301 Investigation of China’s Targeting the Maritime, Logistics and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance, Request for Comments (the Notice).

Global | Publication | April 21, 2025

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