Shipping | Europe

Simonsen Vogt Wiig benefits from an impressive team in ship finance matters, which is supported by an increasingly highly regarded commercial shipping practice. It demonstrates distinct expertise in finance matters, including lease and acquisition financing transactions. Furthermore, the group advises on the drafting and negotiation of contracts for the acquisition, charter or building of vessels. The law firm also acts on high-profile collisions that are litigated against the Norwegian state, and has experience in charter-related disputes as well as international arbitration proceedings and investigations.

Thommessen boasts a broad client roster comprising P&I clubs, shipping companies and suppliers to the shipping industry. It has full-service capabilities, with lawyers ready to assist with a plethora of matters. The group advises on newbuild contracts for, and the financing of, container vessels and bulk carriers, and also handles sale and leaseback transactions. The team is equally strong in disputes, particularly in complex marine insurance claims.

Wiersholm demonstrates experience across a broad range of contentious and non-contentious shipping mandates. The group earns praise for its work on ship finance matters. Its lawyers win instructions to act either for selling ship owners or purchasers on sale and leaseback transactions. The team assists with the drafting or negotiation of newbuild contracts with foreign shipyards. It also represents clients in disputes relating to damage caused to cargo or vessels.

Wikborg Rein is a renowned powerhouse that showcases strength across many areas of shipping law, with a particularly strong reputation for handling wet shipping matters. Its emergency response team wins instructions from insurers to assist with the earliest stages of shipping casualties, while the litigation team handles subsequent cargo, salvage or wreck removal claims. The law firm also advises on the negotiation of commercial contracts for the offshore oil and gas sector, and assists with any subsequent disputes arising under the same. It further acts for major Norwegian offshore companies on the restructuring of their corporate debt. The team is also strong in cross-border matters due to a notable international network.

Schjødt fields a strong team able to assist with an array of corporate mandates in the shipping field. The law firm advises key shipping investors on their participation in sale and leaseback transactions. Its lawyers act for ship owners and builders on all issues concerning the negotiation, financing and delivery of newbuilds.

BAHR has experience in a variety of corporate and finance mandates in the shipping sector, frequently advising on M&A deals and capital markets transactions. The group also acts for buyers on the negotiation of newbuilding contracts. The team works closely with the law firm's significant dispute resolution practice to assist clients with cargo damage claims.

Entering the rankings for the first time, Gjelsten Herlofsen Advokatfirma is a compact boutique with niche expertise in contentious maritime and insurance law. Its lawyers have market-leading expertise in disputes pertaining to cargo damage, collisions, groundings and total loss wreck removals, in addition to pollution claims. The law firm also assists clients with ship arrests.

Kvale offers a strong shipping practice from its offices in Ålesund, Oslo and Tromsø. The law firm stands out for its experience in direct actions filed against Norwegian insurers. Its lawyers act on both the debtor and creditor sides of shipping sector restructurings. The team also handles a wider range of commercial and contentious shipping matters.