Jump to main content

Shipping

Our shipping practice is globally recognised as one of the largest and most esteemed, with a strong presence in the world's most active shipping clusters, including Norway, London, Singapore, and Shanghai. Since our establishment in 1923, our expertise in maritime law has been a cornerstone practice for the firm, acting for the biggest names in the industry and involved in the world's most high profile cases, deals and casualties, making our practice is a true global leader.

We offer a highly specialist team covering all areas of shipping law, providing high quality, pragmatic commercial advice on matters relating to admiralty and crisis management, dry shipping, and transactional work. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional legal services that add value to our clients' commercial activities, while being adaptable to the constantly changing market conditions.

With a long-standing client base across the sector, including major shipowners, charterers, shipyards, Hull, P&I and FD&D insurers, pool operators, brokers, banks and investment funds, we are a trusted partner in their operations.

We provide ongoing advice related to the industry's complex regulatory landscape, including "green shipping", decarbonisation, autonomous maritime operations and new ocean industries reflecting our commitment to supporting our clients through this evolving landscape.

Our lawyers, many of whom are leaders in their field, contribute to our reputation as a top law firm. Year on year we are top-tier rated with Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and other legal research agencies.

We offer

  • Admiralty and Crisis Management 
    • Collisions
    • Groundings
    • Salvage and wreck removal
    • War risk and piracy
    • Pollution and clean-up
    • Anti-corruption, compliance and sanctions
  • Dry Shipping
    • Charterparties
    • Bills of lading
    • Cargo claims
    • Marine insurance
    • Shipbuilding contracts and project management, including superyachts and offshore vessels
  • Transactional work
    • Sale and purchase transactions, including sale and lease back
    • Asset Finance
    • Recycling
    • Corporate Restructuring
    • Corporate Finance and IPOs
    • Tax

Global presence

Our global presence is unmatched among Norwegian law firms, with offices in Oslo, Bergen, London, Shanghai, Singapore, and a strategic alliance with Vieira Rezende, a leading firm in shipping and offshore law in Brazil. This allows us to provide comprehensive legal services to clients across the globe, particularly in the most active shipping and offshore clusters.

Our London office is a team of skilled English lawyers who are able to provide seamless advice across many of our focus areas.

With leading specialists in all relevant subject areas, we are committed to providing tailored teams across offices and departments to meet our clients' requirements in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Our global reach and diverse expertise make us the preferred partner for ambitious Norwegian and international brands.

Contacts

Sustainability in Shipping

The shipping industry, as the backbone of international trade, has long been a significant source of pollution. However, with growing emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there is an increasing need for environmental regulations and monitoring of harmful substances released from ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU have adopted several regulations to address these concerns.

In addition to these regulations, there is a strong commercial focus on achieving sustainability goals within the maritime industry. Through initiatives such as green loans, the development of green technology, optimisation of vessels for emission reduction, LNG and greener fuel, and ship recycling, the industry is becoming more sustainable and green.

At Wikborg Rein, we stay abreast of the latest development in green shipping regulations and initiatives. Our Shipping Offshore Update provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and trends in this area.

Shipping Offshore Update Magazine

Here you will find a list of all of our Shipping Offshore Updates.

Read our Shipping Offshore Update Magazines

Awards
2024
Band 1 – Shipping
Chambers and Partners, Europe
2023
Top Tier – Shipping Offshore
Legal 500
2023
Only Norwegian Law firm listed
GAR100

Read our articles on Shipping

14/03/2024

Wikborg Rein top ranked in Chambers Europe

We are delighted to announce that we have once again achieved top rankings in Chambers Europe in a total of 19 categories, which is more than any other Norwegian law firm.

15/02/2024

The Crackdown on Price Cap Evasion and the BIMCO Russian Oil Price Cap Scheme Clause for Charter Parties

The BIMCO Russian Oil Price Cap Scheme Clause was long-­anticipated when it was published on 2 June 2023. There has since been growing concern that the original Price Cap Measures were easy to circumvent, and in this article we examine the impact of the latest measures to combat such evasion.

31/01/2024

Working conditions at Turkish yards and the Norwegian Transparency Act

Norwegian media has recently published a number of stories on the alleged poor working conditions at Turkish shipyards. Norwegian shipowners contracting with foreign yards must be prepared to provide information on their efforts to ensure decent working conditions pursuant to the Norwegian Transparency Act.