Business areas in focus

Transport

Challenges and requirements

The transport of cargo, be it by land, sea or air, is often a complicated and very intricate procedure involving many different players. In many cases, transport is cross border and therefore subject to regulation based on international conventions. Timely and safe delivery is paramount for cargo owners and carriers, and the risk of conflict is inherent whenever cargo is being transported. This risk of conflict calls for a clear delineation of the tasks and responsibilities undertaken by the individual players.

How we can help

We have extensive experience in advising transport companies, merchants and their insurers on an appropriate delineation of their individual responsibilities, thereby allowing them to properly assess their own risk. We collaborate with leading international transport lawyers through our far-reaching network, uniquely placing us to deliver optimal services to our clients, irrespective of where in the world a conflict may arise.

Our advice encompasses, among others:     
  • Terms of sale and delivery
  • Dispute resolution clauses, including governing law and venue
  • Insurance terms 
 
  • Bech-Bruun Emergency Services Team (BEST)
  • Dispute resolution 

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

Infostream

Bech-Bruun News 02 August 2011

Appointment of new partners at Bech-Bruun