Thommessen’s shipping lawyers have extensive experience and solid expertise in resolving shipping disputes through negotiations, in the courts or through arbitration.
Shipping disputes typically arise in contractual relationships or as liability cases in the wake of a shipping accident. The contracts used in the shipping industry are largely based on international standard terms that have been developed through long-standing traditions and international cooperation.
Similarly, Norwegian maritime law is largely based on international conventions to which Norway is a party.
Our lawyers have close ties to the international maritime legal community, with an extensive network of foreign lawyers and other specialists who can assist in resolving disputes where necessary.
In addition to specialist expertise in Norwegian and international maritime law, more is often required to resolve a shipping-related dispute effectively. Shipowners and charterers may be based in different countries, the ship has its own nationality, a shipping accident may occur in foreign waters, and the ship’s insurers may be Norwegian or foreign. Thommessen’s shipping lawyers have extensive experience in resolving the complex jurisdictional and choice-of-law issues that may arise.
The rules governing a shipowner’s right to limit liability may vary between these different jurisdictions, which is an important factor to take into account in maritime compensation cases.
Thommessen’s lawyers assist both Norwegian and foreign shipowners, charterers, shipyards and marine insurers in resolving maritime disputes effectively. We have extensive experience in litigating such cases, in both Norwegian and English, whether before the courts or in international arbitration.
Our lawyers are also frequently appointed as arbitrators in maritime law cases.
