What the team is known for
Outstanding practice covering all aspects of shipping law on a domestic and cross-border level. Regularly acts on high-profile insolvency proceedings in the shipping sector. Also active in maritime insurance cases, including issues in the offshore energy sector. Experienced in collision, capsizing and breakdown disputes, as well as ship arrest cases. Additionally handles corporate and commercial mandates involving transactions, restructurings, vessel reflagging and charter parties. Clients include Danish and international shipowners, cargo owners and insurers.

Strengths
An interviewee praises the group as "one of the leading firms in Denmark for shipping and general corporate law," adding that "it is always our first choice." This source goes on to highlight the department's full-service offering, and describes the team as "easy to work with and quick to respond."

Another source similarly praises the full-service capabilities of the team, adding that it is "very respected internationally."

Work highlights
Assisted Copenship with its multi-jurisdictional insolvency proceedings, including arbitration matters.

Notable practitioners 
Anne Buhl Bjelke is described as an "extremely good insurance specialist." She acts for shipping companies and insurers on various mandates, including insolvency-related insurance claims.

According to one source, "you cannot talk about shipping law without mentioning Jes Anker Mikkelsen."Recognised as a "market leader," he offers impressive experience in contentious maritime and transportation matters, with a particular focus on insurance and construction cases.

Johannes Grove Nielsen is described by one interviewee as a "very bright and enthusiastic lawyer who demonstrates innovative approaches and is a pleasure to work with." He has an impressive track record in a range of wet and dry shipping disputes, including arbitration proceedings. Sources also praise his "ability to provide great legal advice in a commercial context."

Chambers and Partners Europe, Shipping

Ranked: tier 1

Bech-Bruun fields 'very hands-on partners' with 'a good commercial understanding', which is applied to contentious and non-contentious matters across dry and wet shipping. Maritime specialist Jes Anker Mikkelsen jointly leads the practice and advised Norwegian Energy Company on its sale of licence and ownership interests in the North Sea to Dong E&P. Fellow co-head Johannes Grove Nielsen is 'very approachable, commercial and to the point'; he represented several shipping companies in issues relating to the collapse of OW Bunker and the insolvency of Danish shipping company Copenship. Senior associate Louise Lundsby Wessel is skilled in contracts and disputes.

Legal 500, Shipping and transport