Shipping Law & Practice 2025: Shaping New Developments into Solution-Focused Advice for your Clients

Programme

1. 09:30

   Registration and coffee

2. 10:00

   Chair's Introduction

   Shipping Law & Practice: Shaping new developments into solution-focused advice for your clients

   Chaired by David Pitlarge of Hill Dickinson

   David “has excellent legal knowledge and the depth of experience needed for strategically complex cases.” He has expertise in wet and dry shipping matters covering maritime casualties, charter parties and shipbuilding contracts.

3. 10:10

   Liens over Freight

   What is the root cause of the trouble with liens over freight and cargo following recent cases, and how can you gain an edge for your clients in disputes?

   Answered by Chirag Karia KC

   Chirag “has a very rare combination of tenacious advocacy and academic excellence.” “His diligent approach towards difficult and complex cases, combined with his detailed knowledge of the law, produces superb results.”

4. 10:45

   Limitation of Liability

   With MSC Flaminia still active, what is the court's approach to limitation of liability claims, including estoppel, jurisdiction, and differing approaches in Hong Kong and Australia?

   Answered by Sean O'Sullivan KC

   Sean is "one of the most outstanding commercial barristers at the Bar." He sits as a Deputy High Court Judge and is author of “Civil Appeals: Principles and Procedure.” He recently acted for a shipowner over the operation of a force majeure clause.

5. 11:20

   Morning Coffee

6. 11:35

   Damages for Late Delivery

   How far can you push the court over damages for late redelivery under time charters following Hapag-Lloyd v Skyros (2024), and what is the impact on market practice and client advice?

   Answered by Alexander Wright KC

   Alexander is “an outstandingly good silk with a dynamic shipping practice.” He acted for the successful appellant in The “Lila Lisbon” (2025) litigation on the extent of a seller’s obligations to deliver a vessel on time under the NSF form.

7. 12:10

   FuelEU Challenges

   How will FuelEU operate in relation to pooling and surplus trading, how will it be enforced in practice, and where will the challenges come from?

   Answered by James M Turner KC

   James is a Contributor to the chapter on contracts in “Maritime Decarbonisation” and shortlisted for Legal 500 Sustainability Bar Champion. “What he does not know about shipping is not worth knowing - he is a master in the field.”

8. 12:45

   Overrun

9. 13:00

   Lunch

10. 13:45

    Letters of Indemnity

    What is the latest judicial thinking on letters of indemnity (LOIs) and the concept of undisclosed principals in shipping contracts?

    Answered by John Russell KC

    John acted in The Sea Shepherd, Volcafe v CSAV, and The Libra in the Supreme Court and is a Shipping Silk of the Year. "He is brilliant in the way he is able to distil complicated issues into short and complicated advice.”

11. 14:20

    Sanctions Law

    In light of O v. C (2024), when and how can a party be ordered to do something that breaks US sanctions law? How are judges reacting, and what are the practical and legal options for clients?

    Answered by Sara Masters KC

    Sara is a “superstar” with extensive experience in commercial sanctions both as counsel and as arbitrator with a particular focus on Russia and Iran, and advising on the impact of the EU (and UK) Blocking Regulations.

12. 14:55

    Cargo Contamination

    How far can you push the court in fact-heavy cargo contamination cases, following MOK Petro Energy FZC v Argo (2024)?

    Answered by David Walsh, Essex Court Chambers

    David is one of Legal Week’s Stars at the Bar, “fiercely bright, hugely experienced, hard-working, approachable, accessible and a pleasure to work with.” He appeared in MOK Petro Energy FZC v Argo and many other leading shipping cases.

13. 15:30

    Over-run

14. 16:00

    Close of conference