Business areas in focus

Maritime law

Challenges and requirements

Globalisation has long been a basic condition for maritime actors. Transport customers' demands for cheap, safe and timely delivery must be met in a market characterised by rapidly changing costs and increased regulation, particularly with respect to environmental and safety issues. Even marginal advantages may ensure success for a company over its competitors and it is therefore crucial that the company operates within the proper corporate and tax structures. International collaboration governed by agreements and conventions involving many participants dominates the field and, consequently, targeted advice is necessary to safeguard the positions of the individual actors.

How we can help

We have extensive knowledge of the maritime industry and a comprehensive international network, which includes the best maritime lawyers across the world. Hence, our clients will always receive first class legal assistance, irrespective of the jurisdiction in which that need arises.

Our advice  encompasses all areas of maritime and shipping law, and we have acquired considerable skills regarding the purchase, sale and financing of vessels. Moreover, we have the capacity to handle the largest and most complicated transfers. Our expertise within maritime insurance law, including H&M, P&I and yacht insurance, is unique.

In addition, we have core competencies in international dispute resolution, both as regards court proceedings and alternative resolution methods, such as mediation.

Our advice encompasses, among others:     
  • Charter party agreements
  • Off-shore matters
  • Marine insurance and claims
  • Collision, grounding and salvage 
 
  • Maritime corporate restructuring
  • Regulatory aspects
  • Conflicts with public authorities
  • Bech-Bruun Emergency Services Team (BEST)
 
 

Our ratings

Chambers Europe Rating 2012

Shipping

Bech-Bruun is traditionally strong in shipping and maintains its wide-ranging practice. Its clients include cargo owners, insurers, shipowners, operators, managers and offshore energy companies. A recent highlight demonstrating the group's cross-border capacity was its involvement in the reconstruction of the Containership Company, a mandate which included the filing of 75 shipping-related lawsuits in New York. Sources say: "All the team members are excellent communicators and keep us well advised."

Peers hail department head Jes Anker Mikkelsen as "outstanding," whilst clients observe that "he is highly respected, which is always an advantage when he is on your side in court." Well-known litigator Henrik Valdorf-Hansen represents clients in both the Danish Supreme Court and arbitration proceedings. Commentators pinpoint Johannes Grove Nielsen as an up-and-coming name with growing market visibility.

Chambers and Partners Europe, Shipping

Legal 500 Rating 2012

Shipping and transport

Bech-Bruun advises P&I clubs, shipowners, operators and carriers in the Maritime and Commercial Court and the Supreme Court. Clients include A.P. Møller – Maersk, Stena Line and Thomas Cook, and insurers such as TrygVesta and If P&C Insurance. Lines of work included an increase in detention disputes and the termination of charter party arrangements. Group head Jes Anker Mikkelsen is a certified mediator, whose expertise has brought instructions involving offshore energy and renewables. Henrik Valdorf-Hansen acted in international arbitrations concerning damage to wind turbine foundations in Germany and Austria.

Legal 500, Shipping and transport

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