As Vogt & Wiig possesses one of Norway’s largest and strongest Shipping and Offshore legal teams, we are involved in a large number of disputes, casualties, transactions and related issues throughout the maritime sector. As a result we keep a close eye on Scandinanavian and international developments within the sector - both legal and commercial. In this first edition we share our experiences both with our Norwegian and international clients on issues affecting the maritime industry, and provide updates on recent regulations.
Unfortunately, some of our clients have experienced piracy attacks and hijackings. Due to the enhanced piracy threat, both in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa and West Africa, the issue of armed guards onboard the vessels has become a demand from several shipowners. Whilst some flag states continue to prohibit the arming of merchant vessels, the Norwegian government has been at the forefront in setting a legal framework and has recently implemented new regulations in this respect. The UK has announced it will also change its approach and permit armed guards. Piracy is also a more frequent issue when negotiating contractual and insurance arrangements, and a source for potential disputes. A more positive development, although fraught with environmental concerns, is the opening up of the North East Passage, with possible new trading routes through Arctic waters from Europe to Asia.
We are also proud to possess one of Norway’s strongest teams within the Aviation sector amidst our Shipping and Offshore group, handling both a large number of Aviation acquisition, finance and lease ransactions and ancillary transport issues within the Aviation sector.
We hope you will find this Maritime Newsletter of interest and provide a backdrop on some topical issues affecting the Maritime sector in autumn 2011. We consider our knowledge should be a resource for our clients which can complement the advice we provide in any specific assignment. We envisage this Maritime Newsletter, and future editions to come, should contribute to the debate about the direction of our industry, and both we and our clients can benefit from such knowledge sharing.
Vogt & Wiig Maritime News No. 1 (pdf version).
Index:
Armed guards on board Norwegian flagged ships
Piracy - special attention required for charter parties and other contracts?
Nye regler for omlastning av olje, såkalte skip-til-skip-operasjoner (STS-operasjoner) i Norsk Økonomisk Sone
Norway accedes the Convention on International interests in Mobile Equipment (Cape Town 2001)
Bunkersoljesøl