Holman Fenwick Willan LLP

ASG Representative Andrew Chamberlain / Tom Walters

Protecting and promoting high standards in the practice of English Maritime Law

HFW is an international law firm and is widely recognised as the world's leading Shipping and Maritime law firm, having serviced clients within the global maritime community for over 135 years.

Now with over 200 lawyers specialising in maritime law, HFW provides a comprehensive service to the global maritime community across our 20 international offices. HFW supports clients across the entire shipping lifecycle from design, construction, finance and management through to recycling and disposal. We also advise on technology, automation, cyber security and sustainability as part of the industries drive to modernise ship operations and reduce emissions.

With expertise across the full range of wet and dry work, HFW represent a wealth of clients including shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, banks, international agencies, governments, regulatory bodies, brokers and cargo owners. The breadth and depth of our experience enables us to deal with transactions and disputes in a commercial and pragmatic manner to assist our clients in overcoming problems and reaching practical solutions.

HFW's Crisis Management Team has over 30 lawyers and master mariners with nearly 200 years of collective expertise. As one of the largest specialist marine casualty practices in the world, we have extensive experience dealing with high-profile casualties and hostile environment situations. As a firm, we have been involved with many of major shipping incidents that have taken place in the past two decades as well as the majority of Somali hijackings that became prolific after 2008.

We are able to respond promptly and proportionately to deal with issues arising from an incident and can mobilise a team to carry out an investigation of the facts, collect and preserve evidence, deal with media interest and assist with the management of reputational risk - all in close consultation with our clients. Our Crisis Management Team is available 24/7 and can be mobilised worldwide with our global network. We aim to have somebody on location within 24 hours.

In 2021 we joined forces with CyberOwl's team of data and cyber security experts to help key industry stakeholders to develop more robust cyber security solution through a range of products and services in response to the IMO 2021 cyber security regulations. Our combined expertise allows us to advise our clients on assessment, monitoring and management of their cyber risks with a commercial focus.

Finally, HFW is supporting clients as they seek to adapt and comply with many of the challenges being thrown up by international, regional and national regulatory bodies in relation to green house gas emissions and waste, the use and availability of alternative fuels and the efficiency and effectiveness of transit orientated performance.