With over 150 years in the maritime sector, we can assist you with all aspects of maritime law.
You, Maritime
& Ince, in any case
Equipped with our deep industry knowledge built over a number of years working with stakeholders across the industry, we genuinely understand your business and therefore focus on providing straightforward, practical legal advice tailored to your needs.
Our client base includes many of the world’s leading shipowners, charterers, traders, banks, shipyards and insurers. From shipyard to scrapyard, from factory to receiver, from finance to flotation, we provide the legal services required by the maritime and international trade industries.
We are where you are; with shipping lawyers based in our international offices, including a large team of former mariners, many of whom are located in major ports, shipping or insurance centres, we have the ability and expertise to service your needs wherever they may arise, with significant experience in different jurisdictions and teams which work together seamlessly across time zones.
Dry shipping
We routinely deal with cargo claims, charterparty and bills of lading disputes, and handle all aspects of shipping dispute resolution, from small value claims to high profile, complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes.
Transactions
Our expertise extends to providing legal advice on transactional issues, covering all aspects from commercial contract review of simple and complex contractual relationships, ship sale and purchase, shipbuilding projects, and restructuring.
Financing
Ships are significant capital assets. Whether you are a buyer, builder, operator or financer, you will need expert advice on your rights and liabilities. Our finance lawyers are mainstream shipping lawyers who will provide comprehensive advice on the best strategies, minimising your risk exposure during transactions and achieving the best result for your business.
Yachts and super yachts
Yachts and super yachts are valuable assets which are subject to changing laws and regulations. It is essential that you have someone to help who understands your goals, and protects your interests at every stage of ownership. We advise yacht owners, brokers and some of the world’s largest yacht manufacturers.
Ports
Ports play a crucial role in global trade, both in developed and in emerging and frontier markets and our team advises clients including global port and terminal operators, shipping lines, oil & gas contractors, construction companies, underwriters and banks around the world.
Offshore oil & gas
We also represent the leading providers of marine services. Our expertise extends to the full range of available offshore services, including supply and safety vessels, anchor handlers and dive support, pipe-lay and bury barges, heavy lift and derrick barges.
Admiralty
If the worst case scenario becomes a reality, and your ship runs aground in a remote location or collides or finds itself in trouble in a hostile environment, you will need fast, expert legal advice, and practical guidance for dealing with investigations, witnesses, crews and their families, evidence preservation and the media.
We have a highly trained team of ex-mariners across the world, bringing a wealth of practical, technical and commercial knowledge to every crisis. Having been at sea themselves and having been involved with most of the major casualties, they understand the pressures and realities of reacting to the unexpected.
Personal Injury (Defendant)
Our breadth of expertise in handling defendant personal injury cases extends across the marine industry with instructions from owners, operators and liability underwriters of marine craft including yachts / superyachts, container vessels, passenger and cruise ships, offshore installations, tugs and supply vessels, and bulk carriers.
We have particular expertise defending cases involving fatalities, brain and spinal injury, as well as legionella and norovirus outbreaks. We are also instructed in occupational disease claims including asbestos-related injury. The firm's reputation for handling high profile casualties has inevitably led to Ince advising in highly sensitive cases involving both injury and death. We work closely with specialist Counsel and medical experts to provide the highest level of service and most cost-effective advice.
Piracy/pollution
The ongoing threat of piracy and hijackings continue to generate much concern in the industry. We can help you with all aspects of piracy incidents - the legal and practical aspects of responding to a hijacking, release of vessels, insurance and minimising the risk of such incidents reoccurring.
If oil leaks from your ship and pollutes pristine beaches or marine life, the consequences can be very serious. The incident needs to be managed effectively, or it can spell disaster for everyone involved.
Emergency Response
Our 24 hour emergency response hotline ensures that you can contact us to obtain focused advice at any time, 365 days of the year: +44 (0)20 7283 6999.
Download our brochures to find out more.
Yachts and Superyachts 2020
Ince Ports and Maritime Infrastructure
Ince Ports 2021
Ince Shipbuilding & Offshore Construction 2021
Ince modern casualty investigation
News & insights on Maritime
Insights / Court of Appeal agrees cargo liable to contribute in general average following ransom payment
03-12-2021 / Maritime
Herculito Maritime Ltd & others v. Gunvor International BV & others (Polar) [2021] EWCA Civ 1828
Insights / Shipping E-Brief November 2021
26-11-2021 / Maritime
The Shipping E-Brief is a publication providing you with key information on legal decisions and developments in shipping and related business areas.
Insights / Cyber security – have you exercised due diligence to make your ship seaworthy?
25-11-2021 / Maritime
The recent, and very important, UK Supreme Court decision in Alize 1954 & another v. Allianz Elementar Versicherung & others (CMA CGM Libra) [2021] UKSC 51 has provided a timely and salutory reminder to shipowners and operators of the importance of being able to demonstrate that their ship is seaworthy if they are successfully to defend claims brought against them by cargo interests and others.
Insights / Court orders specific performance of obligations under letter of indemnity
24-11-2021 / Maritime
Navig8 Chemical Pools Inc v. Aeturnum Energy International Pte Ltd (Navig8 Ametrine) [2021] EWHC 3132 (Comm)
Insights / What does demurrage cover?
24-11-2021 / Maritime
K Line PTE Ltd v. Priminds Shipping (HK) Co Ltd (Eternal Bliss) [2021] EWCA Civ 1712
Insights / Seller of defective goods entitled to maintain claim for price
23-11-2021 / Maritime
Readie Construction Limited v. Geo Quarries Limited [2021] EWHC 3030 (QB)
Insights / Marine Money Korea 2021
22-11-2021 / Maritime
Sung-Hwan (SD) Choi, Partner, moderated the session 'Focus on Korea Ship Finance: International and Domestic Outlook and Opportunities at the Marine Money Virtual Korea conference'.
Insights / “Zoned out”: Court confirms applicable time zone for notification of demurrage claims
18-11-2021 / Maritime
The Court has considered which time zone applies to determine the date of completion of discharge for the purposes of deciding whether notification of a demurrage claim was made too late. In their article, Natalie Jensen and Monika Humphreys-Davies review the decision and explain why the Court held that it was the time zone at the place of discharge.
Insights / COP26 and its impact on Shipping
16-11-2021 / Maritime
These are some key takeaways arising out of COP26 affecting the maritime sector
Insights / Supreme Court confirms defective passage plan may render vessel unseaworthy
11-11-2021 / Maritime
Alize 1954 and CMA CGM SA v. Allianz Elementar Versicherungs AG & Others (CMA CGM Libra) [2021] UKSC 51
Insights / The uncertainty continues… Post-Brexit recognition and enforcement of judgments: UK still seeking accession to Lugano Convention
19-10-2021 / Maritime
On 31 December 2020, the Brexit transition period ended. As a result, the UK’s regime for recognising and enforcing judgments within Europe ceased to be governed by the Brussels regime, primarily the recast Brussels Regulation (EU member states), and the Lugano Convention 2007 (EU member states, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland).
Events / Maritime Week Gibraltar 2021
18-10-2021 / Maritime
Maritime Week Gibraltar 2021 is a highly informative, multi-format interactive event, designed to showcase the many shipping, port and maritime services offered in Gibraltar to a wider international audience.
Insights / Court considers breach of confidentiality and unlawful conspiracy claims in ship design dispute
18-10-2021 / Maritime
Salt Ship Design AS v. Prysmian Powerlink SRL [2021] EWHC 2633 (Comm)
News / AfCFTA and Energy & Infrastructure
11-10-2021 / Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime
This article is the third in a series of articles looking at the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (the “AfCFTA”) on various practice areas and industry sectors that our clients operate in. This article focuses on Energy and Infrastructure and addresses some of the key questions our clients have asked us.
Insights / Witness evidence reforms now apply in the Admiralty Court
07-10-2021 / Maritime
Following much discussion, the witness evidence reforms have now made their way to the Admiralty Court. The provisions now apply to trial witness statements signed on or after 1 October 2021 in Admiralty Court proceedings and constitute a further reminder that a witness statement must be exactly that – a statement in the words of the witness.
News / Mutual benefit: A focus on superyacht crew welfare - Interview with SuperyachtNews
07-10-2021 / Maritime, Yachts & Superyachts
“I am regularly instructed on behalf of yacht owners and their liability underwriters to defend crew mental health claims made against them, a trend which had been increasing for several years now,” starts Rachel Butlin, partner at Ince. “Within the yacht industry, I have been involved in many cases in which there have been not just physical injuries to yacht crew but increasingly psychiatric ones, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders, as well as depression and the emotional consequences of bullying/assault.”
News / Ince Promotes Two Maritime Solicitors to Partner In Dubai and Hong Kong
01-10-2021 / Maritime
We are pleased to announce two new Partner promotions at Ince, Natalie Jensen in Dubai and Richard Oakley in Hong Kong.
Insights / New DIAC Decree aims to streamline arbitration in Dubai: Your questions answered
27-09-2021 / Maritime
Decree No. 34 of 2021 concerning the Dubai International Arbitration Centre recently came into force, making a number of changes to the arbitration landscape in Dubai.
Insights / Asian Ship Finance: Trends, Differentiation and Opportunities
24-09-2021 / Maritime
Asia is well known for lease and ECA finance solutions but there are other niche opportunities besides. Sung-Hwan Choi, Partner, Ince, moderates this discussion around Asian finance sources.
Insights / Consolidation of Dubai’s arbitration centres - The impact on maritime arbitration in the region
22-09-2021 / Maritime
Decree No. (34) of 2021 (“the Decree”) on the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”) was recently issued. Pursuant to the Decree, the Dubai International Financial Centre Arbitration Institute (“DIFC Arbitration Institute”) and Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (“EMAC”) shall be dissolved and their assets and operations shall be merged into the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”).
Insights / Shipping E-Brief September 2021
15-09-2021 / Maritime
The Shipping E-Brief is a publication providing you with key information on legal decisions and developments in shipping and related business areas.
Insights / Resolution to safeguard seafarers in the UAE
13-09-2021 / Maritime
The UAE is a shipping hub and, as a result, it is a jurisdiction that has experienced its fair share of abandoned vessels and crew. There have been a number of positive developments in addressing such issues.
Insights / Be careful what you agree: A cautionary tale
07-09-2021 / Maritime
Falcon Trident Shipping Ltd v. Levant Shipping Ltd [2021] EWHC 2204 (Comm)
Insights / When is a ‘bill of lading’ not a true bill of lading?
02-09-2021 / Maritime
The LUNA [2021] SGCA 84
Insights / Save now, pay later: Court endorses wait and see approach to potential costs savings
01-09-2021 / Maritime
Space Shipping Ltd (CV Stealth) v. ST Shipping & Transport Pte Ltd (CV Stealth) [2021] EWHC 2288 (Comm)
News / Rosita Lau is awarded Medal of Honour by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
23-08-2021 / Maritime
Insights / ICLG Legal Guides 2021
12-08-2021 / Maritime
We are delighted to share with you our contributions in this year's International Comparative Legal Guides (ICLG).
News / Ince launches integrated specialist sanctions compliance solution with Windward
11-08-2021 / Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime
Insights / Court of Appeal emphasises importance of language used in construing nature of guarantee
09-08-2021 / Maritime
Shanghai Shipyard Co. Ltd. v. Reignwood International Investment (Group) Company Limited [2021] EWCA Civ 1147
Insights / Buyer not entitled to reject off-specification fuel oil
20-07-2021 / Maritime
Galtrade Limited v. BP Oil International Limited [2021] EWHC 1796 (Comm)
Insights / Court rejects attempt to reargue issues previously determined in in rem action
06-07-2021 / Maritime
Tecoil Shipping Ltd v. Neptune EHF & Ors (Poseidon c/w Tecoil Polaris) [2021] EWHC 1582 (Admlty)
Insights / Exclusive jurisdiction clause in charterparty extends to related tort claims
02-07-2021 / Maritime
Eastern Pacific Chartering Inc v. Pola Maritime Ltd (Divinegate) [2021] EWHC 1707 (Comm)
News / Crew change process deteriorating once again as Covid-19 resurges
02-07-2021 / Maritime
The crew change crisis, which reached a peak in the middle of last year when some 400,000 seafarers were waiting to embark and disembark has been worsening once again.
News / Ince releases cover of iconic single ‘Sailing’ by global virtual choir on Day of the Seafarer to raise funds for maritime charities
25-06-2021 / Maritime
Single now available to purchase online in support of maritime charities helping COVID-19’s hidden seafarer heroes who have been unable to return home to their families.
Insights / English Court upholds LOU jurisdiction provision, notwithstanding Singapore limitation proceedings
21-06-2021 / Maritime
Enemalta Plc v. Standard Club Asia Ltd (MV Di Matteo) [2021] EWHC 1215 (Comm)
Insights / A distinction with a difference: Court of Appeal finds conflict between contractual terms
10-06-2021 / Maritime
Septo Trading Inc v. Tintrade Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 718
Insights / Shipping E-brief June 2021
09-06-2021 / Maritime
The Shipping E-Brief is a publication providing you with key information on legal decisions and developments in shipping and related business areas.
Insights / Failure to acknowledge service of in rem collision claim results in default judgment
03-06-2021 / Maritime
Tecoil v. Owners of Poseidon [2020] EWHC 393 (Admlty)
Insights / Court considers unclear dispute resolution clause in charterparty
02-06-2021 / Maritime
Armada Ship Management(s) Pte Ltd v. Schiste Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd (Armada Tuah 101) [2021] EWHC 1094 (Comm)
News / Hague orders emissions cut: a brave new world for energy and beyond?
27-05-2021 / Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime
News / Ince enhances global maritime offering with new Maritime and Marine Insurance team in our Bristol office
27-05-2021 / Maritime
We are delighted to announce today the continued growth and development of our maritime division with the imminent addition of a specialist and highly experienced shipping team to its Bristol office.
Insights / Can a claimant always pick the jurisdiction with the highest limitation of liability?
27-05-2021 / Maritime
Pusan Newport Co Ltd v. The Owners and/or Demise Charterers of the ships or vessels “Milano Bridge” and “CMA CGM Musca” and “CMA CGM Hydra” [2021] HKCFI 1283
Insights / Anti-suits revisited: a welcome reminder of the applicable principles
25-05-2021 / Maritime
ZHD v. SQO (Precious Sky) [2021] EWHC 1262 (Comm)
News / Ince boosts international maritime team with hire of new Partner, Aris Moschopoulos
24-05-2021 / Maritime
Ince, the international legal and professional services firm, today further strengthened its world-leading shipping team with the appointment of Aris Moschopoulos as Partner in its Piraeus office.
News / Ince launches ‘Sailing: Sing for Seafarers’ campaign to raise awareness of seafarers’ crucial role as key workers in the global economy
05-05-2021 / Maritime
We are excited to announce the establishment of our global virtual choir, in collaboration with companies and organisations from across the industry, to record ‘Sailing’ - the song made iconic by Rod Stewart. The choir is in partnership with Royal Museums Greenwich and supported by four of the world’s leading maritime charities: Mission to Seafarers, Sailors’ Society, Stella Maris and Seafarers’ Charity.
Insights / The LMAA Terms revised - LMAA Terms 2021
29-04-2021 / Maritime
The London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) has recently published a revised version of its terms of procedure that will become effective in respect of all arbitrations commenced on or after 1 May 2021.
Insights / Invalid nomination of vessel did not entitle Sellers to terminate contract
29-04-2021 / Maritime
In this case, the Sellers under a sale contract jumped the gun and found themselves in breach when they purported to terminate the contract prematurely on the ground that they (mistakenly) considered the Buyers were in repudiatory breach. Parties in a similar situation should be wary of falling into the same trap.
Insights / Freeports: how do they benefit businesses in the UK?
23-04-2021 / Maritime
In the 2021 Spring Budget, Rishi Sunak announced the creation of eight Freeports in England. These Freeports offer potential incentives for businesses located in such zones to benefit from tax breaks, the ability to import and export goods free of tariffs and reduced administrative burdens. They may also provide opportunities for businesses supporting these activities, including shipping companies, construction companies and service providers.
Insights / Shipping E-brief March 2021
25-03-2021 / Maritime
The Shipping E-Brief is a publication providing you with key information on legal decisions and developments in shipping and related business areas.
Insights / Court implies term into hire provision to give it business efficacy
19-03-2021 / Maritime
Regal Seas Maritime SA v. Oldendorff Carriers GmbH (New Hydra) [2021] EWHC 566 (Comm)
Get in touch
All fields marked * are mandatory