Shipping & Maritime Law
If you work within the marine industries, from shipping and logistics to catching and processing of seafood, our specialist team is here to help you. You can rely on our experience of providing legal support and solutions to the fishing industries for over 130 years.
With a 24-hour, seven days a week dedicated shipping service, our specialist shipping solicitors are available to assist you whenever your need arises. Whether it is advice in relation to shipping casualty work, defending personal injury claims or prosecutions, vessel build or acquisition, demurrage issues or cargo claims, the sector knowledge and experience of our team will ensure that you get prompt, expert advice and representation in court or in arbitration. Our solicitors also deal with personal injury claims on behalf of insurers and P&I clubs, advise on any prosecutions that arise following an accident and deal with coroner’s inquests in fatal accident cases.
From assistance with regulation and health and safety compliance to helping you navigate the framework of sea fisheries law, fisheries prosecutions, enforcement and control issues, our expertise can ensure your legal affairs are well protected.
Emergency Out of Hours Contact Number: +44 (0)870 129 6014
Get in touch with our friendly team of advisors on enquiries@andrewjackson.co.uk for help and advice on any aspect of law relating to Shipping and Logistics and how it may affect you and your business.
Or call your preferred office today to speak to a member of the team.
Testimonials
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Legal 500 2022
"Rebecca Forder is an outstanding solicitor. Rebecca deals with our requests with both speed and expertise. Customers always highly rate the work undertaken and Rebecca is a major asset to the firm."
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Legal 500 2022
"The firm are specialists in the fishing sector, and they always manage the legal aspect of lending transactions with professionalism and great efficiency."
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Legal 500 2022
"I found Dominic Ward, to be a very personable, experienced transport and logistics lawyer who can apply a legal twist to a commercial strategy to deliver a positive outcome. His fee basis is very competitive as a regional legal provider, but he delivers top quality legal advice."
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Legal 500 2022
"We engaged Dominic Ward, senior partner at Andrew Jackson, on a specialist shipping issue we encountered. Dominic is a subject matter expert on logistics and shipping, he grasped our challenge immediately and very quickly worked with us to develop a strategy to manage the situation."
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Legal 500 2022
"Dominic Ward and Paul Newbon are people that we deal with on a regular basis. They are very approachable, will always return a call, take the time to explain all the options advising on the costs and the consequences. They share their knowledge willingly, addressing every question with patience and kindness."
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Legal 500 2022
"The partners and associates in Andrew Jackson cover a wide range of specialties. Their service is crucial to the smooth running of our business. The partners are always available to give immediate advice either on the telephone, email or team’s meeting."
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Legal 500 2022
"Dominic Ward offers a wealth of information and support on all international shipping and trade related enquiries."
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Legal 500 2022
"The partners specialising in shipping have a wealth of knowledge on international shipping law and ship management companies. They have provided help support and training on everyday topics as well as difficult international cases. They are a valued “business partner” helping us steer our business through international waters."
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Legal 500 2022
"Responsive lawyers, pragmatic and time-efficient."
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Chambers UK 2022
"Dominic is a very strong, knowledgeable and solution-oriented lawyer. He masters the art of combining the law and commercial aspects of a case."
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Chambers UK 2022
"great strengths regarding all shipping matters."
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Chambers UK 2022
"It is a firm based on values such as teamwork, service and knowledge,"
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Chambers UK 2022
"They are an all-round great outfit."
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Legal 500 2021
"Dominic Ward and his staff have always been most supportive and very helpful in dealing with associated leases, financial documentation and the registration of marine mortgages."
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Legal 500 2021
"They are honest, trustworthy and always provide the very best of support and advice."
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Chambers UK 2021
"They are very good shipping lawyers and very helpful."
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Chambers UK 2021
"They have the right balance of knowledge and flexibility that makes them my go-to firm for marine."
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Chambers UK 2021
"We feel that our enquiries – big or small – are always considered important and are addressed in a timely and professional manner."
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Legal 500 2018/19
“The ‘niche’ health and safety team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is known for its ‘excellent’ representation of clients in the shipping and transport space.”
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Eric Hjalmarsson Thor Shipping
“...prompt, clear commercial advice and flexible support during our recent transaction.”
Key Contacts
News & Events
News
Continued Expansion for SMS Towage with latest Vessel Purchase
We are delighted to have advised our long-standing clients, SMS Towage Ltd, on their acquisition of the vessel LLOYDSMAN, as the company expands into ports in North East England. Rebecca Forder, a member of our shipping & transport practice, led the legal team advising SMS in relation to the …
MoreFisheries Lawyer, Andrew Oliver to present at leading seafood conference
We are delighted to announce that Andrew Oliver, partner and head of the fisheries unit at Andrew Jackson, will this week return as a guest speaker at one of the world's leading events for the fishing industry – the Pelagic Fish Forum – which takes place on 30 September in Copenhagen. …
MoreAndrew Jackson's shipping & transport team facilitates multi-million pound transactions
Our shipping and transport team has recently advised on several transactions with an aggregate value in excess of £20 million, as UK maritime businesses look to invest in their existing fleet capacity, despite the challenges arising from Brexit and the impact of the global pandemic. Led by Dominic Ward and …
MoreShipping team advises SMS Towage on multi-million pound vessel purchases
We are delighted to announce that our shipping and transport team have recently advised leading marine firm SMS Towage Limited (SMS) on numerous vessel purchases worth in excess of £19 million, as the East Yorkshire-based company continues to expand its fleet across the UK. Rebecca Hardy of our shipping …
MoreShipping and Transport team advises Yorkshire seaweed company with six figure Vessel Purchase
Our dedicated shipping and transport team recently advised SeaGrown Ltd, which has established a sustainable, 25-hectare seaweed farm off the coast of Scarborough, with the purchase of a vessel for a six-figure sum. The vessel 'Southern Star' will be used to accommodate a seaweed and shellfish hatchery, marine …
MoreShipping and transport team advises on vessel purchase for international racing series
Our shipping & transport team is delighted to have advised the company behind the Extreme E off-road racing series on the acquisition of a multi-million-pound vessel "ST HELENA". The vessel, which is currently being transformed into a state-of-the-art carrier, is to be used as …
MoreAndrew Jackson advises on multi-million pound vessel purchase for Extreme E Racing series
Our shipping and transport team has recently advised the company behind the Extreme E off-road racing series on the acquisition of a multi-million pound vessel "ST HELENA". The vessel, which is currently being transformed into a state-of-the-art carrier, is to be used as the main …
MoreAndrew Jackson team advises Blue Water Shipping on major logistics project
We are delighted to announce that our shipping and transport team recently advised global logistics company, Blue Water Shipping A/S Denmark (BWS), on numerous contracts relating to the supply of transport and logistics for the Tengiz Oilfield, operated by Tengizchevroil (TCO), one of the largest projects of its kind …
MoreAndrew Jackson advises SMS Towage on £5 million tug investment for the River Humber
Our shipping & transport team is delighted to have advised leading marine firm, SMS Towage Limited, on its acquisition of a £5 million tug, as the company expands its growing fleet and invests further in the Humber port. Dominic Ward, partner and head of shipping & transport at the firm, …
MoreFisheries team secures landmark victory for fishermen after decade-long proceedings
We are absolutely delighted that our fisheries team has been able to put to rest a long running dispute whose origins pre-date the Magna Carta concerning an exclusive right to fish in an area of The Wash. Since the mid-19th century there have been several disputes between the …
MoreCargo claims and the appointment of liability
When the ‘Yangtze Xing Hua’ vessel was chartered on an amended New York Produce Exchange form to carry soya bean meal from South America to Iran, she arrived off the discharge port in December 2012. After not being paid by the receivers, the charterers ordered the vessel to wait off …
MoreHow can shipping simulators help legal proceedings?
Andrew Oliver, a partner in the firm’s Shipping and Transport department, recently visited the world class facilities of Modal Training based at Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, to look at the resources and assess how they could help the firm in assisting clients with the reconstruction of shipping casualties and …
MoreAndrew Jackson advises India Steamship on USD 90 million sale of tanker fleet
We are delighted to have advised India Steamship (ISS), a division of Indian listed company Chambal Fertilisers, on the sale of its remaining tanker fleet to Greek ship operator Centrofin Management, for an estimated USD 90 million. Dominic Ward, partner and head of our shipping and transport team, along with …
MoreAndrew Jackson advises blue water shipping on multi-million pound pipeline contract
We are delighted to announce that our shipping & transport team has recently provided contractual advice to Blue Water Shipping A/S Denmark (BWS), a global provider of tailor-made transport and logistics solutions, for the construction of a gas pipeline project through the Baltic Sea in Russia to Germany. …
MoreArticles
Boris's Plan for All Ships to be Green!
Week commencing 16 November saw UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announce his 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution in the UK. Understandably, the headlines centred upon the decision to bring forward the deadline for banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars to 2030 and further increases in …
MoreCovid-19: Top questions 07.05.2020
In these challenging times, our teams have been receiving a high volume of queries from clients in the shipping industry about the impact of Covid-19 and key issues such as contracts, Force Majeure and the current picture around safe ports and Charters. To help our clients in the shipping …
MoreFisheries team update: Brexit and the Fisheries Bill, and team expansion
The first few weeks of 2020 have proved to be a busy time for our fisheries team, with the UK's exit from the EU and resulting Fisheries Bill, as well as the introduction of an electronic recording system for fishing vessels under 10m in length. Fisheries Bill Following …
MoreCoronavirus: Is it a Force Majeure?
The tragic consequences of the coronavirus continue to be reported around the world, with the World Health Organisation recently declaring the novel coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. In the commercial shipping sector, the impact of the coronavirus is also being felt: companies should not only consider the …
MoreBrexit Negotiations: What Next?
Theresa May's government lost the vote on the deal to leave the European Union on Tuesday, so the question is, what will happen next? There are many different permutations; here a just a few to consider as Brexit negotiations continue: No confidence motion Following the vote on Tuesday, …
MoreScallop Wars arising from the Common Fisheries Policy
The recent ‘Scallop Wars’ have highlighted some of the key challenges the fishing industry faces when seeking to operate in line with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), arising in this case from its interaction with national legislation. Recent events could be seen as a warning of things to come as …
MoreFurther Success in Court – Lynn Shellfish Ltd v Loose
Back in 2016, we reported that the firm had achieved a notable victory in the Supreme Court, having successfully represented a group of King's Lynn fishermen and boat owners in a long running dispute regarding the public right to fish in The Wash. At that time, a number of …
MoreChoosing your own solicitor under a legal expenses insurance policy
It is an unfortunate but unavoidable fact that accidents or near misses occur in the workplace. When unfortunate accidents do occur, it is important that expert legal advice is sought as soon as possible in order to protect your position and equip you with the guidance and support that’s …
MorePersonal injury update: No need to plead fraud to argue that a claim is "fundamentally dishonest"
When the ‘Yangtze Xing Hua’ vessel was chartered on an amended New York Produce Exchange form to carry soya bean meal from South America to Iran, she arrived off the discharge port in December 2012. After not being paid by the receivers, the charterers ordered the vessel to wait off …
MoreCargo claims and the appointment of liability
When the ‘Yangtze Xing Hua’ vessel was chartered on an amended New York Produce Exchange form to carry soya bean meal from South America to Iran, she arrived off the discharge port in December 2012. After not being paid by the receivers, the charterers ordered the vessel to wait off …
MoreShipping partner visits Modal’s state-of-the-art training facility
Andrew Oliver, a partner in the firm’s Shipping and Transport department, recently visited the world class facilities of Modal Training based at Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, to look at the resources and assess how they could help the firm in assisting clients with the reconstruction of shipping casualties and …
MoreIs your business prepared for a hard Brexit scenario?
Whether your business is importing or exporting goods, it’s important that you are ready for a so-called ‘hard Brexit’ scenario, in which the United Kingdom would leave the European Union without a trade deal in place. Currently, the UK has access to the EU's internal market which …
MoreOffshore energy & the fishing industry: managing risks
In addition to renewable energy generation, the marine environment is host to a number of other activities, many of which occasionally conflict with the activities of offshore renewable operators or those with cables on the sea bed – including the fishing industry. Andrew Oliver, head of our renewable energy group, looks …
MoreOffshore energy: Purchasing a transfer vessel – how to avoid common pitfalls
The commissioning of a new build crew transfer vessel or the acquisition of a pre-owned vessel can be an exciting time for all concerned. However, as Andrew Oliver, head of our renewable energy team, points out, it pays to take proper legal advice to avoid common pitfalls whilst ensuring …
MoreAll at sea? You can't afford to be
A raft of legislation applies to the provision and use of work equipment both on and off shore - and it's vital that those who supply such equipment are fully aware of their responsibilities, says Andrew Oliver, partner and head of renewable energy at Andrew Jackson. Whether working on land, …
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