Maritime and Shipping

Norton White advises on all aspects of maritime activity with a wide national and international client base including representation of the world’s leading Protection and Indemnity Associations, shipowners, charterers, salvors, shipbuilders, insurers and reinsurers, brokers, cruise lines, banks, freight forwarders and ship’s agents. We are acknowledged by our peers for our experience in this area of law and have acted in many major cases.

We provide advice in relation to the following matters:

  • admiralty claims, arrest and ownership disputes

  • arbitration and mediation

  • bills of lading

  • charter party drafting, interpretation and disputes

  • contracts of affreightment

  • carriage of goods, cargo shortage, contamination and damage

  • casualties, collisions, fire and strandings

  • conference and consortia agreements

  • industrial relations and secondary boycotts

  • liner shipping

  • limitation of liability

  • marine insurance

  • offshore oil and gas exploration and supply services

  • personal injury and third party liabilities

  • pollution and environmental issues

  • port operations

  • salvage, total loss and wreck removal

  • seizure of fishing vessels

  • ship sale, purchase, building and repair

  • towage and pilotage

Ports and Stevedoring

Ports and maritime transport infrastructure play a crucial role in economic development and trade, and are particularly critical in island nations.  

Norton White has advised clients in the terminals and ports industry across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.  We have extensive experience acting for clients in relation to commercial shipping arrangements and concession.

Our market leading experience includes:

  • advising on the provision of stevedoring services for ports

  • reviewing and negotiating agreements for terminal access, specific terminal services and stevedoring services

  • advising major international container fleet operators in their negotiation of stevedoring services contracts

  • acting for ship owners against port authorities in connection with damage to vessels