The key to dealing effectively with any maritime casualty or admiralty issue is a quick and efficient response. You need access to clear advice and measured support as the matter develops which is why we ensure that our casualty lawyers, including legally qualified Master Mariners and ex-seafarers, are on hand to provide you with such reassurance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The global and ever-evolving nature of the industry means that you may find yourself dealing with unfamiliar issues in unfamiliar jurisdictions. We, at Reed Smith, can quickly partner with your on-the-ground team to provide a unified response to any casualty or admiralty issue – large or small - and help you manage the fall-out.

The effective handling and preparation of cases for court or arbitration is an essential part of your continued success in the maritime industry. At Reed Smith, our dry shipping lawyers are focused on achieving commercial and cost-effective outcomes for you. You will benefit from the deeper understanding of the way your business works that many of our associates have developed from in-house secondments to our clients.

In the current climate it is more important than ever that your operational documents – whether charterparty agreements, bills of lading, shipbuilding contracts or joint venture agreements – are properly drafted thus offering the right level of protection and commerciality. Our lawyers are at the forefront of many of these industry changes and understand the challenges that you are facing. We offer you innovative and intelligent ways of managing your documents.

Both our Dry and Wet Shipping teams are very experienced in dealing with all aspects of vessel arrest in ports around the world. With an unparalleled network of foreign offices and, where necessary correspondent lawyers, we can swiftly and efficiently help you manage any claims facing your business. The teams also regularly deal with associated ship arrests in South Africa (and elsewhere), seeking security and defending claims there as well. Further, we have access to a number of IT and vessel monitoring services to assist in checking the location of vessels and analysing ownership structures.

Environmental law is becoming increasingly important in the shipping industry. An environmental disaster can not only be expensive, but potentially damaging to your reputation. Developing environmental law includes restrictions on emissions and guidelines for operating in polar waters which means that ship owners and operators are now facing increased costs to comply with new requirements. 

At Reed Smith, our environmental lawyers have a strong history of advising owners and operators and frequently advise on permits and regulatory issues, as well as provide an emergency response service whenever necessary.

Reed Smith’s international arbitration practice spans the globe. With offices in the world’s leading arbitral seats, including London, Paris, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Miami, and Houston, we are strongly positioned to represent clients in international business disputes.

For the sixth consecutive year, leading international arbitration publication Global Arbitration Review has included Reed Smith in its elite list of the world’s top 30 international arbitration law firms, the GAR 30.

Our clients, whether privately or publicly owned, benefit from the invaluable insights, in-depth knowledge, award-winning talent and cross-border collaboration of our global team of international arbitration lawyers, many embedded in our core industry practice areas.

We act as trusted advisers, advocates and arbitrators across a broad spectrum of complex and often multi-million/billion-dollar commercial, investor-state, and sector-specific arbitrations. Our dynamic and forward-looking practice has a strong track record of achieving results based on our clients’ needs, their commercial objectives and the characteristics of the dispute.

• “The ‘committed and specialised’ Reed Smith LLP international arbitration practice ‘epitomises excellence’.” The Legal 500 Latin America 2023
• “Reed Smith's distinguished dispute resolution team has deep experience in commercial arbitrations.” Chambers USA 2023
• “Reed Smith is particularly noted for its expertise in construction, energy and transportation arbitration cases… It is a wonderful team." Chambers Europe – France 2023
• “Reed Smith has an excellent team of lawyers who have a wealth of experience of international arbitration.” The Legal 500 EMEA – UAE 2023
• “One of the best arbitration teams around.” The Legal 500 UK 2024
• “A formidable opponent in commercial disputes.” The Legal 500 APAC 2023

Construction and operation of ports and terminals is becoming increasingly complex in a climate of ever-changing legal constraints. You are obligated to interact with a wide range of rules and regulations including safety requirements, environmental concerns and employment matters, as well as dealing with obligations expected of stakeholders and financial institutions. We know how to best deal with those challenges faced by the key players in the ports and terminals sector, from all of these requirements and more.

Whether you are seeking bids or to bid to build a new facility, to undertake or participate in the design and construction phase, or dealing with day-to-day operational issues, we can partner with you to ensure that all legal requirements are met and any potential issues are mitigated.

The shipping and offshore industries provide many opportunities for traditional and non-traditional investors and financiers alike. At Reed Smith, our lawyers are familiar with and understand the particular issues, risks and liabilities you face as an owner, investor or financier in the maritime sector.

You will experience pressures and challenges in providing or sourcing finance and investment, in both the shipping and financial markets. Innovation in the structuring and restructuring of investment and financing arrangements has become necessary to help you find targeted solutions and maximizes your opportunities.

Whether an acquisition, a traditional bank loan, private equity investment, a joint venture arrangement, or a restructuring is the way forward, our lawyers can help you plan for, structure and determine the most effective investment or financing arrangement.

In the current political climate, financial sanctions continue to create problems for ship owners, operators, financiers and insurers. The maze of UN, U.S., EU and UK sanctions may impact voyage routes and deliveries with potentially serious ramifications.

Superyachts occupy a niche area of the maritime industry - the emphasis is not on transportation from one place to another, but on the journey itself. We at Reed Smith understand every legal aspect of acquiring, owning, chartering, and selling a superyacht. From design, building and financing to operating and managing a superyacht (and other such vessels), our lawyers are here to assist you and to help you keep those adventures going.