Bech-Bruun acts on prominent mandates in the sector, handling both wet and dry shipping matters including bunker disputes, S&P and refinancing work, alongside contentious matters. The group also fields a dedicated cross-border insolvency shipping team in order to handle large-scale and complex insolvencies in the shipping industry. Practice group head Johannes Grove Nielsen comes highly recommended as ‘a clear leader in his field’ and is an expert in damages, commercial disputes and insolvency matters. Nielsen has also recently spent time representing shipping lines and crew management companies in relation to the Russian-Ukrainian War. ‘Superstar’ Camilla Søgaard Hudson advises on the full spectrum of maritime, transport and insurance law.
Shipping and transport in Denmark
Bech-Bruun
Les références
‘Johannes Grove Nielsen is a hands-on and solution-oriented shipping lawyer.’
‘Leading team in Denmark with exceptional international capabilities. First-class knowledge, not only in shipping law, but all legal aspects related to shipping, such as environmental regulation and its impact on shipping. As part of Denmark’s leading full service firm, the team is capable of advising on all aspects of business law for their shipping clients.’
‘Johannes Grove Nielsen is not only an exceptionally good shipping lawyer, he is also very good at taking into account the business aspects and to tailor his advice accordingly. Number one in Denmark.’
Principaux clients
MAN Energy Solutions
GARD
Remontowa Shiprepair Yard
SKULD
Kuehne & Nagel A/S
A.P. Møller-Mærsk A/S
Monjasa
Codan Insurance
ADM
Oxymat A/S
Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Limited
MS Amlin Marine
Hamborg Offshore AHT “Pegasus” GmbH & Co
Tryggingamiðstöðin hf (“TM”)
Principaux dossiers
- Representing Evergreen Marine Corporation in a matter before the Danish High Maritime and Commercial Court against Maersk A/S and others.
- Representing Hamborg Offshore AHT “Pegasus” GmbH & Co in litigation relating to the arrest of the vessel PEGASUS in the port of Aalborg, which resulted in the High Court of Western Denmark setting aside the arrest.
Gorrissen Federspiel
Gorrissen Federspiel represents major Danish and international ship-owners, shipyards and ports, airlines, aircraft lessors, industry investors and financiers and insurance companies on a broad suite of matters, including wet and dry shipping mandates. Practice head Peter Appel handles large transactions, financing deals and establishing operations abroad, as well as being a key name for shipping litigation. Morten Hans Jakobsen advises on aviation, air finance and ship financing, as well as work relating to leasings, purchases and regulatory issues. At the associate level, Thomas Edelgaard Christensen's practice encompasses litigation and arbitration arising out of the shipping, port, maritime construction and other maritime industries.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Appel
Autres avocats clés:
Morten Hans Jakobsen; Morten Berggreen; Johan Casper Hennings; Thomas Edelgaard Christensen
Les références
‘The shipping, offshore and transportation group at Gorrissen Federspiel is widely recognised as being the premier shipping practice in town. They are especially strong within transactional work including ship sale and purchase, newbuilding projects, ship finance and corporate shipping work and handles mandates for most Danish shipowners.’
‘Morten Hans Jakobsen is our go-to when it comes to complex transactional and corporate work.’
‘Peter Appel is highly knowledgeable, with a great global network and a commercial understanding.’
Principaux clients
A.P. Moeller Maersk A/S (including subsidiaries, such as Maersk A/S, Svitzer A/S, Maersk Oil Trading and Investments A/S and Maersk Air Cargo A/S)
A.P. Moeller Holding A/S (including subsidiaries, such as Maersk Tankers A/S, Maersk Product Tankers A/S, Maersk Supply Service and ZeroNorth A/S)
Hafnia Limited
Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S
Ultranav Group (including Ultrabulk A/S)
TORM A/S
DFDS A/S
Scandlines Group
A/S United Shipping & Trading Company
Navigare Capital Partners A/S
Navigator Holdings Ltd.
Stena Group
Celsius Shipping A/S
Esvagt A/S
Uni-Tankers A/S
Dee4 Capital Partners
Christiania Shipping
Cadeler A/S
Assuranceforeningen SKULD
Polar Seafood Greenland A/S
Fehmarn Belt Contractors A/S
Ulykkesforsikringsforbundet for Dansk Søfart
Borealis AG
SAS Scandinavian Airlines System
Air Greenland
Atlantic Airways
Sunclass Airlines (formerly Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia)
Airseven
Copenhagen AirTaxi
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted Marseille-based private equity firm Jaccar Holdings with a structured sales process worth USD 700 million for the divestment of Evergas, one of the world’s leading seaborne transporters of petrochemical gases and natural gas liquids.
- Assisting Cadeler A/S in connection with an agreement to combine their business with Eneti Inc. The combination will result in the largest diversified fleet owned and operated by an offshore wind turbine and foundation installation company.
- Assisting Maersk Tankers, operator of one of the largest tanker fleets in the world, on a new USD 150 million pool credit facility with Citi Bank, relating to the four pool’s working capital for improvement of cash flow for pool partners in a volatile and high tanker rate environment.
Hafnia Law Firm
Boutique shipping and transport firm Hafnia Law Firm acts on behalf of a robust client base in the sector that counts shipowners and shipyards, marine insurers, and suppliers in the international bunker industry. The team handles a full-range of specialist work, including conversion and shipbuilding issues, offshore construction work and repair contracts. Head of team Niels Jørn Friborg has over 20 years’ experience with both wet and dry transportation and offshore-related matters, advising on most aspects of shipping, transportation, insurance and offshore wind. Harald Søndergaard‘s practice emphasises the oil industry and bunker fuel trading. Andreas Oxholm receives frequent instructions from marine and cargo insurers, liability insurers and H&M insurers on both cover disputes and recovery matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Niels Jørn Friborg
Autres avocats clés:
Henrik Thal Jantzen; Harald Søndergaard; Andreas Oxholm
Les références
‘Availability 24/7, in-depth knowledge of the matter, commercial orientated approach and proactive.’
‘The team is responsive, accessible, friendly and covers all areas within shipping and transport. The team has extensive experience in relation to cargo claims and insurance.’
‘The firm consistently continues to deliver and exceed expectations, no matter the extent of the matter at hand. The firm communicates clearly and consistently, meaning that as a client you are always kept up to date.’
Principaux clients
Allseas
Baltic Shipping Company
Bladt Industries
Blue Water Shipping
British Marine
Bunker Holding
Chubb
CNA Hardy
Codan
DEME Offshore
DSV Panalpina
Falcon Maritime Group
Gard
Heerema
Hydor
If
Maersk Tankers
NKT
NTG
Oil Tanking Copenhagen
Royal Sun Alliance
Scan Global Logistics
SDK Shipping
Skuld
Spar Nord Bank
Stena Oil
Swedish Club
Taconic Capital
Thorco Projects
Tokio Marine
Torm
TT Club
Van Oord
Vattenfall
Wrist Ship Supply
Principaux dossiers
- Acting as litigation counsel to DSV Panalpina in litigation concerning high value loss of wind turbine generator components in a fire on board a vessel while discharging in New Zealand.
- Acting as defence counsel to 28 non-EU seafarers indicted for violation of the Danish Foreigners.
- Advising Danish shipowners in a potential MUSD 750 acquisition of Evergas.
DLA Piper Denmark
DLA Piper Denmark leverages its cross-border expertise to advise domestic and international clients in relation to traditional shipping and transport matters, including drafting, negotiation and preparation of shipping agreements and documents, terms of carriage, sale and purchase of vessels and ship finance, among others. Department head Henrik Kleis has over 35 years of experience in the industry and works closely with shipping lines, freight forwarder and Danish ports. Christian Benedictsen-Nislev's expertise extends across contracts of carriage and shipbuilding contracts, as well as financing, commercial contracts, public procurement and corporate transactions within the shipping and transport industry.
Responsables de la pratique:
Henrik Kleis
Autres avocats clés:
Christian Benedictsen-Nislev; Per Vestergaard Pedersen; Henrik Frandsen; Martin Juste
Les références
‘DLA Piper have very broad capabilities and are able to bring in the right people for the right job.’
‘The team are highly engaged in networking and knowledge-sharing activities in the maritime and transport business.’
‘Christian Benedictsen-Nislev and his team handles litigation in such an efficient manner and with great comfort for the client.’
Principaux clients
The Ferry Secretariat
MSC Denmark A/S / MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.
The Port of Aarhus
IF Skadeforsikring
The Port of Kalundborg
DBB Dredging ApS
Martin Bencher (Scandinavia) A/S
Alba Tankers Aalborg ApS
The Port of Frederikshavn
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the owners of Martin Bencher (Scandinavia) A/S with the sale of all shares in Martin Bencher (Scandinavia) A/S and its foreign subsidiaries to Maersk Logistics & Services International A/S.
- Assisting the Ferry Secretariat, on behalf of its 18 member municipalities operating more than 25 small to mid-size Danish ferries, with a public tender project which will fundamentally change the way in which public procurement and construction of ferries will take place over the coming decades. The project involves several innovative elements with respect to standardisation, green energy transition, technical support solutions and PPP, which has received substantial media focus.
- Advising If Skadesforsikring who are cargo insurers for Vestas Denmark A/S. The matter arises out of a fire onboard the vessel “Kota Bahagia” at the Port of Napier, New Zealand in December 2020, resulting in severe damage to the cargo: various windmill parts to be installed by Vestas as a part of the Turitea II wind farm in New Zealand.
IUNO
IUNO works across the entire spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters on behalf of a broad range of clients, including insurers, freight forwarders, shipowners, and airlines. Aage Krogh leads the team and specialises in aviation and freight forwarding law matters for international air carriers. Lars Rosenberg Overby departed the practice to join Bech-Bruun in January 2024, and former practice head Mads Poulsen left to Loeven.
Responsables de la pratique:
Aage Krogh
Les références
‘We work with IUNO for its wide expertise in international road transport matters. They offer swift and reliable advice, and deep understanding of this field.’
‘Aage Krogh stands out for his professionalism and good communication.’
‘Commercially-minded team and has a good network.’
Principaux clients
Codan
J.A. Rederiet
Vestas
Döhle Assukuranzkontor
NordRep
Tryg
First Marine
Green Carrier
Link Logistics
Evervest
DHL Global Forwarding
Danish Association of Freight Forwarders
HDI
British Airways
DSV
Dechra Pharmaceuticals
Alandia
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for the defendants, Splitt Chartering ApS and Stema Shipping, which were sued in Denmark by RTE, who claims damages for the damage to its cable.
- Assisted in unique transaction involving the carriage of the venerable fishing vessel THOR to the Florida Holocaust Museum.
- Successfully defended Alandia and the insured shipowner’s interests from the early stages of a maritime inquiry through to settlement.
Kromann Reumert
Kromann Reumert’s broad practice covers all areas of shipping and transport law, including both contentious and transactional work, including sale and purchase of ships, building contracts and M&A transactions within the shipping industry, alongside ship financing and restructuring of shipping companies. Practice head Jakob Rosing specialises in a broad range of contentious matters, specifically those regarding marine and transport insurance. The ‘high calibre’ Thomas Kaas has over 26 years' experience advising on shipping mandates, focusing primarily on sale and purchase of ships, newbuilding contracts, tax leases and ship financing.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jakob Rosing
Autres avocats clés:
Thomas Kaas; Mette Riber Rasmussen
Les références
‘They work very well together as a team. They are always available and always bringing new ideas to the table to solve problems. I have worked seamlessly with the lawyers in Denmark and the UK in the same transaction.’
‘Thomas Kaas is a high calibre partner. It is an absolute pleasure to work with him. He is calm in a tense situation. His assessment of the interests of the various parties around a negotiation table are extremely useful to solve problems and conclude deals.’
‘Mette Riber Rasmussen is a fantastic lawyer.’
Principaux clients
Codan Insurance
If Skadeforsikring (If P&C Insurance)
Cadeler
SAS Cargo Group
Royal Arctic Line
Falcon Maritime
W.E. Cox Claims Group Limited
Lars Larsen Group
Royal Greenland
Fjord Line
Gjensidige Forsikring
F&H Group A/S
Danish Ship Finance
W K Webster & Co Ltd
SKULD
Ziton A/S
Danish P&I ApS
Musholm A/S
Saga Shipping A/S
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted Ziton A/S with the purchase of jack-up vessel GUO DIAN TOU 001.
- Successfully represented British American Tobacco before the Supreme Court in a cargo claim matter in which the Supreme Court overturned decisions of the lower courts which had found that a direct claim against the carrier’s liability insurers was time barred.
- Assisted hull & machinery underwriters If P&C Insurance with recourse claims following an engine explosion onboard the fishing vessel MUNIN which caused substantial damages to the vessel.
NJORD Law Firm
NJORD Law Firm is known in the domestic market for its shipping and transport sector expertise and particular focus on logistics and road transport, as well as the offshore industry. Practice head and pre-eminent shipping and transport lawyer Ulla Fabricius represents large transport and shipping companies and is vastly experienced at litigating high-profile civil and criminal lawsuits. At associate level, Lene Ishøj is a specialist for all things pertaining to international trade and transport.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ulla Fabricius
Autres avocats clés:
Thomas Ryhl; Lene Ishø; Peter Helby Petersen
Les références
‘Have had many years of work together with Ulla Fabricius and her team within transport law; they are highly skilled.’
‘A very honest and competent team.’
‘Ulla Fabricius is a highly qualified attorney.’
Principaux clients
Owners of EVERGIVEN
DFDS A/S
DSV A/S
DSV Air & Sea A/S
H. P. Therkelsen A/S
BHS Logistics A/S
Johs. Rasmussen, Svebølle A/S
Bring A/S / Posten Norway
Codan Forsikring A/S
Anders Nielsen & Co. A/S (“ANCO”)
Plesner
Plesner handles complex shipping and transport matters, including substantial bankruptcies, ship registrations and offshore installations. Niklas Korsgaard Christensen has extensive experience on major transportation projects, as well as in the harbour sector. He co-leads the practice in conjunction with Esben Kjær and Peter Fogh: Kjær is a go-to name in the public transport sector, whilst Fogh has vast experience regarding international shipping-related contracts concerning new building projects, ship financing and other types of financing.
Responsables de la pratique:
Niklas Korsgaard Christensen; Esben Kjær; Peter Fogh
Les références
‘Very nice and diligent.’
Principaux clients
Flying Tiger Copenhagen (Zebra A/S)
Arriva
Siemens
Alstom
Metro Service
CPHI-Holding
Kalaallit Airports
Danske Bank
Citibank
Principaux dossiers
- Advisor to Kalaallit Airports regarding development and construction of three new airports in Greenland.
- Advising Arriva Denmark A/S (the largest commercial player in the Danish public transportation sector), one of the largest players in bus transport in Denmark, and in addition it also operates in rail transport as one of the few commercial players in Denmark. Furthermore, Arriva operates the carsharing concept SHARE NOW in Denmark.
- Represented Danske Bank on an amended and restated USD 214,050,000 secured term loan facility agreement for Uni-Tankers A/S.
WSCO Advokatpartnerselskab
WSCO Advokatpartnerselskab is known for its litigation and arbitration work, instructed by Danish and foreign clients to act on contentious matters concerning the arrest of vessels, injunctions and other interim measures in the shipping and transport sector. The group’s transactional work also includes shipbuilding and repair contracts and sale and purchase of ships and registration. Practice head Jesper Windahl is praised as ‘highly skilled, very professional and always works efficiently’.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jesper Windahl
Les références
‘The law firm is known to be one of the best firm in Denmark within transport law and related insurance.’
‘Jesper Windahl is a leading individual in Denmark in transport and related insurance, as well as litigation.’
‘A good outfit, with strong litigation capability.’
Principaux clients
Top Danmark Forsikring
Tryg
Freja Transport
Alpi Transport
CNA Hardy
Alm. Brand
Gjensidige
HDI
The Swedish Club
DB Schenker
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Top Danmark Forsikring in legal proceedings before the Maritime and Commercial Court of Copenhagen in a case concerning carrier liability for damage to electronic goods during transit from Hong Kong to Denmark.
- Represented a Cyprus-registered shipowner in appeal proceedings before the Danish High Court against a Danish Charterer in a case concerning interpretation of a settlement agreement entered into between the parties.
- Represented Top Danmark Forsikring in proceedings before the Maritime and Commercial Court in a dispute concerning coverage under a cargo insurance policy.
Andersen Partners
Andersen Partners acts on behalf of a varied client base of transport companies, insurers and underwriters on the entire spectrum of transport law. Department head Lissi Andersen Roost comes recommended for her ‘outstanding knowledge of transport law, the transport daily business and judicial system in Denmark’.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lissi Andersen Roost
Les références
‘Andersen Partners is a trustworthy law firm, with a flawless performance on every case we ever handed to them. Great service but more importantly great results. They are honest regarding the possible outcome in accordance with the Danish judicial system and back it up with results.’
‘Lissi Andersen Roost has outstanding knowledge of transport law, the transport business and judicial system in Denmark. Great winning rate and a flawless performance on every case we ever worked on.’
‘We have full confidence of Lissi Andersen Roost’s work within transport law.’
Bruun & Hjejle
Bruun & Hjejle’s shipping department works across all aspects of shipping, offshore, transportation and infrastructure for both Danish and international clients. Purchase and sale of vessels, vessel maintenance, tender work, mortgages and loan restructuring processes are among the team’s core work. Gregers Gam spearheads the group and is praised for his ‘unmatched level of dedication’ when advising on shipping matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gregers Gam
Les références
‘Dedication and professionalism stands out.’
‘Gregers Gam has a genuine interest in all aspects of transactions, while keeping to his legal professionalism.’
‘The team’s ability to represent the customer and solve complex problems with the best possible outcome is always above excellent. In addition, the tasks are solved quickly without hesitation and complications.’
Principaux clients
Molslinjen
SBJV
Cadeler
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Molslinjen A/S, Denmark’s largest domestic ferry operator, concerning all matters relating to the procurement of the new-built vessel “Express 5”, including matters relating to the construction and financing thereof.
Schjødt Advokatpartnerselskab
Schjødt Advokatpartnerselskab‘s Danish practice sits within the firm’s wider Nordic network and acts for a varied range of ship owners, shipyards, charterers, financial institutions and insurers. With particular expertise in transactional work, the group also excels in contentious work, commercial contracts, financings and commodities issues. Jens V. Mathiasen is the key contact in the practice, which also includes transactional specialists Christian Thiele and Caroline Bruyant Bonde.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jens V. Mathiasen
Autres avocats clés:
Christian Thiele; Caroline Bruyant Bonde
Les références
‘Strong industry experience in the Danish market.’
‘Jens V. Mathiasen – Second to none in shipping transactions in Denmark. Christian Thiele – Robust shipping experience and pleasant legal adviser.’
‘Jens V. Mathiasen is one of the best shipping transaction lawyers in the industry. He is hands on and knows the cases in detail himself.’
Principaux clients
Maersk/A.P. Møller – Mærsk
Dampskibsselskabet Norden
Esvagt
Scandlines
Orskov Yard
Weco Group (Weco Shipping, WecoTankers, Weco Bulk)
Dee4 Capital Partners
NTG Transport Group
Navigare Capital Partners
Copenhagen Commercial Platform
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Esvagt on the construction of a Service Operations Vessel in the US and the chartering of such vessel to Siemens Gamesa at coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project.
- Advised Scandlines on the construction of a zero-emission freight ferry in Turkey.
- Advised Archer Limited on its refinancing, which included a new senior 1st lien facility, a new 2nd lien bond, conversion of an outstanding convertible bond to equity and issuance of a new equity, including granting of security in multiple jurisdictions.