Shipping, Offshore and Shipbuilding

We understand the contractual, regulatory, financial and operational issues the industry faces in both day-to-day and extraordinary situations, and closely integrate this understanding with our expertise in energy, construction contracts and infrastructure.

We support clients throughout the lifecycle of complex maritime projects and operating arrangements—from procurements, transactions and other contracts, through project execution and vessel operations, to dispute resolution.

Shipbuilding: newbuilds, conversions and disputes

Shipbuilding has been one of our fastest-growing areas in recent years. We regularly advise on complex matters involving newbuilds, conversions, retrofits, delivery disputes, defects disputes, procurement and contracting strategy, as well as the execution of major projects. We have extensive experience with widely used standard contracts in the sector, such as SHIP25, and help develop contracting strategies tailored to each client’s needs, including the financing model, allocation of liability and risk, and choice of contract structure.

We also have experience with particularly complex shipbuilding and procurement projects for public-sector contracting authorities, including in the defence and security sector.

The green transition and maritime technology

The maritime industry is changing rapidly as a result of the drive towards green shipping, with the regulatory framework continually evolving at both national and international level. This means industry participants need to identify technically and commercially viable solutions quickly. Our lawyers have developed substantial expertise that enables them to consider legal, technical and commercial factors together.

We have extensive experience with the electrification and hybridisation of vessels, including major newbuild and conversion programmes and the adoption of new technologies such as battery, hydrogen and charging solutions. We advise on the full range of legal, technical and commercial issues arising from the transition to low- and zero-emission vessels, from investment in new technology to vessel operations and the interaction between vessels and shore-based infrastructure.

Breach, restructuring and financially distressed shipyards

We have leading experience enforcing shipowners’ rights when a shipyard’s financial position deteriorates. This includes terminating shipbuilding contracts, securing refund guarantees, and protecting title to and security interests in unfinished vessels during and following insolvency proceedings. This work calls for specialist expertise at the intersection of commercial law, shipbuilding contracts and insolvency law. We have experience providing clear, decision-ready advice in challenging maritime insolvency situations.

Ship finance

We have extensive experience in ship finance and advise borrowers, lenders and other participants on corporate, acquisition, project and bond financing, both in Norway and internationally. A significant part of our work involves financing for shipbuilding and conversions, including cross-border transactions, security structures and mortgage arrangements.

Our ability to advise at the intersection of shipbuilding contracts and vessel finance—from newbuilds and security structures to insolvency situations—adds a dimension to our offering that few competitors can match.

Offshore, subsea and aquaculture

Our experience in the offshore and subsea industries strengthens our advice on the parts of shipping and shipbuilding that border on these sectors. This includes maritime and subsea operations and vessel-based services such as cable laying, pipeline installation, offshore wind installation, and the removal of oil and gas installations.

Through our close collaboration with our market-leading fisheries and aquaculture team, we also have in-depth knowledge of the specific vessel-related issues arising in the fisheries and aquaculture industries. These include licences and quotas under the Participation Act and the Marine Resources Act, wellboat contracts and operations, and offshore aquaculture.

Regulatory advice and public contracts

We provide ongoing advice on the regulatory and public-law aspects that increasingly shape the economics of vessel operations. This includes the framework for green shipping, such as CO₂ taxes, emissions trading schemes, technology choices and market analysis.

We have experience with issues relating to crewing and safety, public passenger transport contracts by sea, and the impact of changes in administrative practice on commercial contracts.

The operator’s perspective

Several of our lawyers have first-hand experience in senior in-house roles at companies with large maritime operations involving both chartered and owned vessels. This gives our advice a practical, operator-focused perspective, grounded in direct experience of newbuilds, maintenance, operations, and the management of claims and disputes—an offering few competitors can match.

Our lawyers also have experience with the various specialist charterparties and contracts commonly used in the maritime industry, including BIMCO charterparties such as SUPPLYTIME, GENCON, BARECON and SHIPMAN, and with providing advice and resolving disputes relating to them.

Recognition

Our shipping, offshore and maritime law team is recognised in international rankings such as Legal 500.