06 May 2024
The last three months have seen a substantial volume of queries in relation to the pros and cons of transiting via the Gulf of Aden versus the Cape. In this episode of 15+15, Alex Kemp and Simon Maxwell , experts in war risks from HFW will briefly discuss the latest in the Red Sea, the level of the threat posed and the factors to be taken into account when deciding when to proceed and when to re-route. The main take-aways from the presentation will be: The decision of whether to re-route requires a nuanced review of the interplay between the contractual matrix and the current threat level (which is informed by a multitude of sources). A pragmatic and commercial approach (focused upon engaging with all parties to the maritime adventure) often provides the greatest chance of reaching the right conclusion, hopefully without the threat of legal-action emerging after. HFW have unparalleled experience in advising clients on recent war risks around the world including Somali Piracy, West African Piracy, the war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza, the attacks around Saudi and the more recent activities of the Houthis in the Red Sea.
02 August 2023
GENCON is a standard voyage charter party. It is a general purpose agreement for the services of a ship in exchange for freight and can be used in a variety of trades. It is accompanied by its own bill of lading, CONGENBILL 2022. The latest edition of this contract is GENCON 2022. Copyright in GENCON 2022 is held by BIMCO.
09 December 2021
The recently imposed new restrictions in several ports will have an impact on the operations of ships. Performing crew changes will very likely become more difficult and result in floating quarantines, meaning that more delays and disruptions in supply chains can be expected. With the new variant creating uncertainty for shipowners, even more complex planning will be needed to avoid financial losses.
18 April 2024
Linos Choo focuses on general commercial litigation and arbitration with particular emphasis on shipping, commodities, and international trade finance. He has concluded many successful arbitrations under the auspices of the ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, LMAA, FOSFA, GAFTA, CIETAC, and SCMA amongst others. Linos' experience includes complex charterparty, bills of lading, ship sale and purchase, shipbuilding, ship finance, marine insurance, international sale of goods, and maritime cross-border insolvency litigation and arbitration. Linos also has experience in the areas offshore floating production and storage, logistics, ports, and infrastructure. In the sphere of international trade, Linos frequently advises banks involved in the finance of international trade on complex issues concerning payment obligations and bank-to-bank reimbursements under letters of credit, demand guarantees, performance bonds, standby credits, and forfeiting. Linos is also regularly instructed in the fields of commodities, banking and financial services litigation and regulation, civil fraud, asset tracing, and professional negligence.
