Shibuilding Contracts
Our firm is recognised for its longstanding excellence in shipbuilding contracts. We regularly act for shipbuilders and shipowners as well as suppliers, financial institutions and other debt and equity investors involved in or exposed to both domestic and international shipbuilding projects. Our experts have also negotiated the standard form shipbuilding contract SHIP25 – agreed between the shipbuilders and shipowners' associations.
Our lawyers advise throughout the shipbuilding contract lifecycle, including negotiating contracts (Norwegian SHIP 2000, SHIP25, and Asian formats), drafting, and structuring related financing (construction and post-delivery). We guide on regulatory matters such as safety, anti-bribery, cyber security, export controls, and provide advice on risk allocation, liability for subcontractors, pricing mechanisms, and funding structures.
We assist with disputes by representing clients in arbitration and litigation under Norwegian and English law, drawing on deep industry experience across jurisdictions.
Key areas of expertise:
- Contract drafting, negotiation, and structuring (Norwegian and Asian formats)
- Construction and vessel financing arrangements
- Risk allocation, liability issues, pricing, and financing models
- Regulatory compliance (safety, human rights, anti-bribery, cyber security, sanctions and export controls)
- Dispute resolution: claims management, arbitration, and litigation
What's new with SHIP25?
We led the negotiation of SHIP25, the new Norwegian standard form shipbuilding contract as representative of the shipbuilders' interests and have been closely involved in the introduction of SHIP25 in the market. SHIP25 addresses the development of the shipbuilding industry since SHIP2000 was adopted in 2000.
Key updates in SHIP25 include:
- Completely overhauled and modernised contract reflecting development of contract practice since 2000
- Modernised project management procedures, including digital access to documentation and regular reporting requirements
- Clearer roles and responsibilities, especially for buyers’ site team representatives
- Balanced liability regime for buyer-designated subcontractors
- More robust regulation of refund guarantees to secure buyers’ rights throughout the build
- New, balanced compliance clauses on health, safety, human rights, anti-corruption, cyber security, and export controls
- Optional “opt-in” provisions providing flexibility for parties to agreed tailored solutions involving limited design liability, progressive title, budget prices and price adjustment
- Adoption of the NOMA Arbitration Rules for a more efficient dispute resolution process
Disclaimer
Anyone wishing to use SHIP25 must independently assess its suitability and obtain legal advice for their specific project. Wikborg Rein accepts no responsibility or liability for the use or suitability of SHIP25. The availability of SHIP25 on wr.no does not establish any client-lawyer relationship, constitute legal advice, or create any obligation or liability on the part of Wikborg Rein.
