HFW is an international law firm with a world leading reputation for providing a comprehensive service to the global maritime business community. We have been representing the full spectrum of those involved in the industry, including shipowners and charterers, P&I Clubs, banks, international agencies, shipyards, marine insurance underwriters, governments and brokers, for more than 130 years. Our maritime lawyers have a sound understanding of how the market works across dry shipping, admiralty and crisis management, ship and offshore finance, transactions and regulatory work, and personal injury. Our admiralty and crisis management team, including 13 Master Mariners (many of whom are legally qualified), is available 24/7 to attend casualty incidents worldwide and with our global network of offices, we can be on location within 24 hours practically anywhere in the world. Clients say: “The firm is very responsive and its advice is precise and thorough, with no stone left unturned.” Chambers Global 2015.
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HFW Related News
HFW Briefing: LOF 2024 – Modernising a classic?
On 1 June 2024, the Lloyd’s Salvage Arbitration Branch launched an updated edition of the Lloyd’s...Read More
HFW briefing: EU second-hand tanker market March 2024
Legal firm HFW has issued a briefing entitled ‘EU second-hand tanker market March 2024’, co-authored by London partners Gudmund Bernitz, William...Read More
HFW continues to expand Greek ship finance offering with leading Piraeus team hire
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has continued to expand its Greek ship finance offering with the hire of a leading team in Piraeus, led by partners...Read More
7th Greek-British Shipping Forum
The 7th Greek-British Shipping Forum, organised by Maritime London in partnership with the British Embassy in Athens and the UK Department for Business...Read More
HFW briefing: Inclusion of Maritime Transport in the EU ETS
It’s official: after protracted negotiations, the inclusion of maritime transport in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) now forms part of EU law,...Read More
HFW Briefing: Ship Recycling – back in the spotlight
The commitment made by Bangladesh, a leading ship recycling nation, to ratify the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling...Read More
Seaworthiness and (un)safe ports in London arbitration
In London Arbitration 2/23 (2023) 1129 LMLN 2, an arbitral tribunal determined that a pilot’s one-off error which caused the grounding of the Vessel...Read More
HFW issues Price Cap: Russian Petroleum Products briefing
As of 5 February 2023 the additional price caps have been adopted for Russian refined petroleum products. The new price caps expand UK, EU and US restrictions...Read More
HFW supports NGO on development of Geneva Declaration On Human Rights At Sea
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has continued to support the development of a new Geneva Declaration designed to define and defend the human rights...Read More
Sanctions: A victory for common sense
A team of HFW lawyers, led by William Gidman, secured a victory in the English High Court in a summary judgment application confirming that an “innocent”...Read More
HFW produces EU Emissions Trade System factsheet outlining current status and key issues
The planned inclusion of maritime transport in the EU Emissions Trading System is moving forward rapidly, and the legislative text could be finalised in...Read More
HFW launches China cybersecurity and data law practice
Global, sector focused law firm HFW has continued to expand its fast-growing practice in Greater China, launching a cybersecurity and data law practice...Read More
HFW and CyberOwl release new report
New research has found that where cyberattacks in the maritime industry lead to a ransom payment, shipowners...Read More
HFW assists NGO on new Geneva Declaration On Human Rights At Sea
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW advised on a new Geneva Declaration designed to define and defend the human rights of the global maritime population...Read More
HFW launches in Denmark with hire of leading shipping lawyer
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has launched in Denmark with the hire of market leading shipping lawyer, Jens Mathiasen (pictured).Jens has a broad...Read More
Brazilian Government enacts new Cabotage Act (BR do Mar)
On 10 January 2022, the Brazilian President sanctioned Law No. 14.301/2022, the “Cabotage Act”, with...Read More
HFW helps BIMCO draft “game-changing” shipping industry carbon emissions clauses
Global, sector-focused law firm has helped shipping association BIMCO draft a series of clauses in response to strict new environmental legislation that...Read More
COP26: Article 6 and its impact on voluntary markets
After 5 years of trying, COP26 delivered the final piece of the jigsaw for the operationalisation of...Read More
HFW releases ‘The future of sustainable business’ report
We are living through climate change, says Sustainability Partner Giles Kavanagh in HFW’s latest report ‘The future of sustainable business’....Read More
HFW hires leading London white collar crime team
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has hired two of the UK’s leading top white-collar criminal defence and investigations experts: Barry Vitou and...Read More
HFW advises KiwiRail on shipping industry’s first climate bond initiative-certified financing
HFW is advising KiwiRail on a secured NZ$350m pre- and post-delivery loan facility for its purchase of two newbuilding Interislander rail-enabled ferries...Read More
HFW advises Shanghai Shipyard on US$170m UK Court of Appeal win
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW advised Chinese shipbuilder Shanghai Shipyard on a UK Court of Appeal win relating to a US$170 million payment under...Read More
HFW and CyberOwl join forces to help shipping industry manage cyber risk
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW and maritime cyber security company CyberOwl have joined forces to provide comprehensive technology and legal services...Read More
In the era of sustainability, can commodities justify a Green Premium
HFW will be launching a series of articles on the reintroduction of Freeports in the UK. We’ll be looking at the implications for businesses operating...Read More
Reducing international shipping’s carbon intensity through the IMO’s EEXI and CII
The proposed measures seek to regulate both the design and operational efficiency of relevant vessels and present numerous commercial and legal challenges...Read More
HFW represents LMAA In landmark UK Supreme Court case
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW represented the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) in the landmark UK Supreme Court case of Halliburton...Read More
HFW extends charity partnership with The Mission to Seafarers
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has extended its partnership with international maritime charity The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) until 2022.MtS provides...Read More
HFW boosts market-leading shipping practice with senior partner hire
Global, soctor-focused law firm HFW has boosted its market-leading shipping practice with the hire of senior partner Paolo Ghirardani.Paolo joins HFW’s...Read More
HFW helps client deliver first ever remote evidence from vessel at sea in historic collision case
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW successfully acted for the owners of a vessel involved in a high-value collision case that saw evidence provided remotely...Read More
Understanding the latest UK advisory on sanctions
Continuing its webinar series, Maritime London hosted another successful event on October 1st. “Understanding the latest UK advisory on sanctions”...Read More
Covid-19 Chronology
COVID-19 has affected businesses around the world. Each jurisdiction, in all corners of the globe, has and will continue to grapple with the issues arising...Read More
HFW acts on sale of almost half of Swiss maritime fleet
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has acted on the sale of almost half of the entire Swiss maritime fleet.HFW advised Swiss shipowner Massoel Shipping...Read More
HFW comment on end of Brexit transition period
The transition period, during which EU law continues to apply to and in the UK following its exit from the EU on 31 January 2020, is due to expire on 31...Read More
HFW advises Swedish Northern Offshore Group on complex double vessel purchase and financing
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has advised Swedish Northern Offshore Group (NOG) on the purchase, on-sale and leaseback financing of two crew transfer...Read More
HFW briefing highlighting updates to Liberia’s Corporate Legislation
International law firm HFW’s latest briefing focuses on the Republic of Liberia’s recent announcement of significant revisions to its Business...Read More
COVID-19 and commodity trade finance: The way forward
International law firm HFW has issued a briefing looking at the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic across commodity markets globally and how this...Read More
Recent EU trade policy and implications for negotiations
EU trade policy is likely to receive considerable attention over the next few months, as the EU negotiates its future trading relationship with the UK.The...Read More
HFW assists Abu Dhabi Ports on ship purchase with remote closing by video conference
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW assisted Abu Dhabi Ports on its purchase of bulk carrier MV NIKI.The firm also provided completion services to all...Read More
COVID-19 and EU state aid temporary framework
International law firm HFW, has issued an update describing the exceptional measures taken by the European Commission to assist sectors which are severely...Read More
Covid-19: How best to deal with International Arbitration
Following the briefing international law firm HFW issued on how the English Courts are meeting the challenges posed by Covid-19, and after receiving a...Read More
COVID-19 and Business Interruption issues
International law firm HFW has issued a briefing focusing on Business Interruption issues with regards to COVID-19.As COVID-19’s grip across the globe...Read More
Asbestos at Sea – an unexpected problem
Less than one year remains for the owners of any ships above 500GT calling at EU ports or anchorages to arrange surveys, required by the EU Ship Recycling...Read More
HFW strengthens market-leading shipping practice with senior promotions
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has strengthened its market-leading shipping practice with the promotion of Claire Womersley to partner and Caroline...Read More
EU imposes Turkey asset freezes
The EU has now made its first designations under the Turkey sanctions, says Daniel Martin, HFW’s partner specialising in sanctions, in a recent briefing.These...Read More
Maritime London celebrate successful annual dinner
Maritime London annual IMIF dinner and seminar took place on 27 November at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall this year.The pre-dinner seminar examined...Read More
