Firms in the Spotlight Shipping

BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors

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Dr. Shrikant Hathi listed by Legal 500 in the ‘Hall of Fame’ and Ms. Binita Hathi ranked by Legal 500 as ‘Leading Individual’ in India for shipping work co-heads the shipping and shipping litigation and arbitration practice including ship arrest in India.

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Shipping in India

Bose & Mitra & Co

Mumbai-based firm Bose & Mitra & Co remains a market leader for shipping and maritime matters in India. The team represents and supports international P&I clubs and domestic heavyweight and international shipping companies in a range of complex legal matters. High-value salvage and insurance claims, successful litigation and arbitration proceedings over contractual disputes, defending clients against vessel seizures, fraud matters and ship-building contracts are among the legal services provided by the team of specialists. Managing partner Amitava Majumdar and Aditya Krishnamurthy lead the sizeable team, handling both contentious and non-contentious work.

Practice head(s):

Amitava Majumdar; Aditya Krishnamurthy

Other key lawyers:

Medha Pradhan

Testimonials

‘The firm, headed by Amitava (Raja) Majumdar is very professional from the top down. Majumdar is vastly experienced in the shipping and insurance field and his team are carefully picked and brought on to develop into top lawyers in this field in India.’

‘Trust is everything and I completely trust Amitava Majumdar and his team to get the job done.’

‘Attention to detail. Always available. Will not run bad cases and is very open about the merits of cases.’

‘Never lost a case for me in 27 years in what is a difficult jurisdiction to to obtain quick results.’

‘They get the job done quicker than other India law firms I have used. In addition, incredible value for money, I have never had an invoice that I thought was over the top.’

Key clients

The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited, India

Seven Islands Shipping Limited, India

The North of England P&I Club

MS Amlin Marine NV, Netherlands

Gard P&I Club

London P&I Club

West of England P&I Club

The Standard P&I Club (its London, Singapore, Greece, Hong Kong offices)

Vitol S.A, Switzerland

Olam International Limited, Singapore

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc, Greece

Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd., Singapore

Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd., Greece

Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc., Greece

Ultrabuk A/S, Denmark

Angelicoussis Group, Greece

United India Insurance Co. Ltd., India

Norvic Shipping, Canada

SMIT Salvage, Netherlands

Bostomar Shipping Pte Ltd, Singapore

BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors

BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors is 'highly experienced in a range of disputes' and regularly assists domestic and international clients in contentious matters within the admiralty and maritime space. Co-led by Shrikant Hathi, who handles the gamut of shipping work from ship finance to contentious claims, and Binita Hathi, a disputes specialist who acts for domestic and international marine insurance companies, the practice provides a comprehensive offering in this field. Key support is provided by Pritish Das, recently promoted partner Nidhi Potla and associate Chandrika Sarkar.

Other key lawyers:

Nidhi Potla; Chandrika Sarkar

Testimonials

‘Highly experienced in a range of disputes most notably in the shipping, shipping arbitration, infrastructure arbitration and projects pertaining to infrastructure, oil, gas and energy’. 

‘We find this firm to be proactive and knowledgeable.’

‘Shrikant Hathi was extremely fast in invoking arbitration. His service is really really good.’

‘Good grip on shipping. I have availed their services several times. They give proper legal solutions.’

‘They understand the legal aspect on shipping very well. I did not have to struggle to explain my case, they promptly advise on the legal course.’

‘The best and most effective shipping law firm in India. They are effective, aggressive and deliver.’

‘Perfect team for shipping. Experienced, knowledgeable and they know their work. Shrikant Hathi and Binita Hathi jointly are the real King & Queen in this practice area’. 

Key clients

W.E. Cox Claims Group Limited

Shanon Trading S.A

Pragati Marine Services Pvt Ltd

Sunrise Shipping Co. Ltd

RINA

Shree Krishna Stevedores Pvt Ltd

Grace Young International Co. Ltd

Sea Oil Petroleum Pte Ltd

DeServe International Trading LLC

RR & Co, Solicitors

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited

Indian Oil Corporation Limited

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited

Shanghi Industries Limited

Aries Marine & Engg Services

Pharung Shipyard Company Limited

FSL New York Pte Ltd

Anjani Ship Suppliers

Asian Ship Suppliers

Navodaya Trading DMCC

Gur Law Firm

In Synergy Supply Chain Solutions (P) Ltd

BRG Global

Roy Lexim

Durva Engineering Works

Om Shanti Marine Services

Shewratan Company Pvt Ltd

Symex Maritime Inc

Gillanders Arbuthnot & Company

ElgiEquipments Ltd

Club Alanzo

AssuranceforeningenGard

Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda)

Blue Sea Services

Winplus Energy Limited

The London P&I Club

UK P&I Club

Standard P&I Club

SverigesAngfartysAssuransForening (Swedish Club)

The West of England Shipowners

The Ship Owner’s Mutual P&I Association (Luxembourg)

STX Corporation

Sinwa Singapore Pte Ltd

HJ Hansen Genvindingsindustri A/S

Zest Marine Services

Marine Solutions Distribution & Services Pvt Ltd

Japan Ship Owners P&I Association

Britannia Steamship Insurance Association Ltd

GARD

UK P&I Club

Compass Shipping & Trading Ltd

Kasturi Commodities Pvt Ltd

Kolkata Port Trust

Gail India

Kandla Port Trust

Dhamra Port Company Ltd

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line)

EssarVizag Terminals Ltd

Leighton Contractors India

Vessel NandHazira

Vessel NandAparna

Vessel NandAnanya

Eiyu Kaiun Co Ltd

Green Shipping Ltd

Izumi Kisen Co Ltd

Sanko Kaiun Ltd

Work highlights

  • Assisting Indian Oil Corporation concerning the use of  Vessel M.V. New Diamond to transport crude oil from Kuwait to India on account of damages suffered due to a fire.
  • Advising Shanon Trading on maritime arbitration under the Indian Council of Arbitration for a vessel allegedly not maintaining proper pressure during discharge.
  • Advising Shree Krishna Stevedore Private Limited on planning, negotiating and drafting documents pertaining to the construction, installation and operation of a jetty at Taloja to Omya India Private Limited.

Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe

Handling a range of complex matters for multinational shipping companies, Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe advises clients on the acquisition of newly built vessels, disputes and litigation. Multi-jurisdictional work regularly features in the team's caseload. Mumbai-based head partner Shardul Thacker has broad knowledge and experience in regulatory, insurance, litigation and procurement matters as well as complex structured finance transactions related to the shipping industry. Senior associate Divya Dharod and associate Saloni Ajmera are also active members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Shardul Thacker

Key clients

DVB Group Merchant Bank Asia Ltd

TATA NYK Shipping Pte Ltd

Tata Steel Global Procurement Company Pte Ltd.

Tata Steel Ltd.

Tata Global Beverages Limited

Total Oil India Private Limited

JSW Group

UltraTech Cement

Multimax Shipping Pte. Ltd.

Intermarine Shipping Pte. Ltd.

West P&I

Hoegh LNG

Indian Oil Corporation Limited.

IHC Holland B.V.

Work highlights

  • Assisted DVB Group Merchant Bank Asia in filing a suit in the Bombay High Court for enforcement of DVB’s rights as mortgagees under loan agreements and for the recovery of a loan.
  • Advising Hoegh LNG Giant on the Indian law requirements in relation to the bareboat charter party entered into by it with H-Energy Private Limited.
  • Advising the Royal IHC group of companies in relation to a basic and detailed design and engineering package, hardware package and yard assistance services to be provided by IHC Holland.

ZBA

With strong experience in litigation and international commercial dispute resolution, Zarir Bharucha spearheads the shipping department at ZBA, headquartered in Mumbai. With an active practice in shipping, commodities and offshore energy and a renowned international arbitration practice, the team has a track record in international arbitration in the maritime trade, investment, insurance, construction and energy sectors. On the non-contentious front, the firm offers assistance on a range of contracts, corporate issues, risk management, ship financing and trade financing to its domestic and international clients. Key support is provided by associates Chandrasekhar Haridh, Rohaan Pajnigar and Bimal Rajasekhar.

Practice head(s):

Zarir Bharucha

Other key lawyers:

Bimal Rajasekhar; Chandrasekhar Haridh; Rohaan Pajnigar

Testimonials

‘Zarir Bharucha is a talented shipping litigator.’

‘I think this is the best shipping firm in India.’

Key clients

Apollo Export Warehouse Ltd.

Trafigura

E-Nav Offshore

Global Marine Systems Limited

Godrej and Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.

Banque Cantonale De Geneve

Motiva Trading LLC

Work highlights

  • Represented Banque Cantonale De Geneve in obtaining an order for arrest of the vessel MT Polaris Galaxy as security for the mis-delivery of cargo.
  • On behalf of a client, filed an admiralty suit against the vessel MV Karnika to recover amounts due.
  • Represented IDBI in an admiralty suit for arrest and sale of the vessel DLB Nand Gaurav before the Bombay High Court.

Clasis Law

The admiralty and shipping team at Clasis Law acts for both domestic and international clients in contentious and non-contentious matters. Leading the litigation and disputes resolution practice from the Mumbai office, Mustafa Motiwala represents members of P&I clubs and international companies who require vessels for transporting cargo on matters pertaining to the arrest and release of vessels and bills of lading. Support is provided by Nihal Shaikh, whose experience covers all aspects of charter party and misdeclaration of cargo disputes for a variety of national and international corporations.

Practice head(s):

Mustafa Motiwala; Nihal Shaikh

Phoenix Legal

With one of the larger teams in the market in the field of shipping, Phoenix Legal offers expertise on a range of admiralty matters, from contract agreements to arrest disputes to supporting P&I clubs. Mumbai-based partner Gautam Bhatikar stands out as a specialist in maritime law, with experience acting for global shipping companies in joint venture international arbitration disputes, offshore maritime EPC contracts, insurance and international trade matters. Several key partners are based in the New Delhi office, including Abhishek Saxena, Manjula ChawlaPranav Srivastava and Ritika Ganju.

Practice head(s):

Gautam Bhatikar

Other key lawyers:

Abhishek Saxena; Manjula Chawla; Pranav Srivastava; Ritika Ganju

Testimonials

‘A Professional team with a deep knowledge of local laws and customs, who promptly respond to client requests.’

‘The team is very good, giving patient advice and time.’

‘Provides clear advice.’

Key clients

BWO Offshore

The Shipowners’ Club / Papaa Shipping

OOO (Limited Liability Company) M-Shipping

A.G. Shipping Pte

L&T Hydrocarbon & Engineering Ltd (LTHE)

UAB Garant Service

Höegh LNG AS

M.V. Nordlake

MS Nordlake GmbH