Mannheimer Swartling’s shipping, transport and logistics team in Gothenburg advises domestic and international companies, including major shipping companies, on shipbuilding and vessel conversion contracts, joint ventures and pool arrangements within the shipping sector, and also handles regulatory compliance issues, among other matters; shipping-related energy transition work is also a key growth area for the group. Stefan Brocker has considerable experience advising shipping and transport companies as well as maritime insurers, while Johan Ljungberg advises investors and corporations on transactions and joint ventures in the shipping and transport sectors, with notable experience in transactions involving state-owned assets, such as port terminals. Hanne Aarsheim, who was promoted to partner in 2024, is especially strong when it comes to shipbuilding and conversion contracts. Other key contacts in the team include Aleksander Ivarsson and Emelie Jivegård.
Shipping in Sweden
Mannheimer Swartling
Practice head(s):
Stefan Brocker; Johan Ljungberg; Hanne Aarsheim
Other key lawyers:
Emelie Jivegård; Aleksander Ivarsson
Testimonials
‘The people I work with are of high quality.’
Key clients
The Stena AB group
Volvo Car Corporation
Heidelberg Cement Northern Europe AB
Shell International Trading and Shipping, London
LKAB
Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Swedish Orient Line
Gard A/S
Bolloré Logistics
The A.P Moller – Maersk group
Finnlines
Preem AB
Bertling Group
Salinity Group
Trafikverket (Swedish authority)
Concordia Maritime Ab (publ)
M SEA Capital Management Limited
Aspo Plc
ESL Shipping Oy
AtoB@C Shipping AB
Green Coaster Holding AB
DSV Miljø Group A/S
InterTank Nordic AB
Work highlights
- Advised InterTank Nordic AB on the acquisition of Nordic Storage AB and on bringing in La Petrolifera Italo Rumena S.p.A. (PIR) as the new majority owner.
- Advised Keynvor Morlift Ltd on discussions with the Swedish Transport Agency regarding a prohibition of the use of a Swedish flagged barge, owned by the client, due to alleged non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Advised AtobAtCShipping AB, a subsidiary of ESL Shipping Oy, in connection with a successful rights issue in connection with the Green Coaster Pool in which AtobAtCShipping AB is a participant, which resulted in the shareholders of Green Coaster Holding AB (the second participant in the Green Coaster Pool) committing to contribute €3m to Green Coaster Holding AB for its payments for the vessels to be included in the Green Coaster Pool.
Setterwalls
Setterwalls’ maritime and transport law practice offers broad expertise to domestic and international clients, notably P&I clubs, spanning emergency response work, shipping finance mandates, and dispute resolution, among other matters; recent highlights for the group include its representation of a company in litigation proceedings concerning a freight forwarding agreement. With a varied practice covering P&I matters, commercial transport agreements, and shipping insurance litigation, Åke Fors in Stockholm leads team alongside Gothenburg-based Andréa Jällbrink, who is noted particularly for her experience handling international claims, disputes, and contractual negotiations in the shipping sector. Associate Isabelle Ekman also plays a key role in the team.
Practice head(s):
Åke Fors; Andréa Jällbrink
Other key lawyers:
Isabelle Ekman; Johan Hallén
Testimonials
‘Åke Fors has fantastic competence and is a hard worker. He will always deliver value.’
‘Andréa Jällbrink is very clear in communicating, nice to work with and seems to understand the needs of businesses particularly well.’
‘Johan Hallén and Andréa Jällbrink are hard-working and put together small but very efficient and competent teams.’
‘I have only worked with the Gothenburg team (Andréa Jällbrink) which is very nice to work with and gives clear instructions and has a good sense for commercial agreements.’
‘The team offers very fast and clear responses, broad thinking, and target group-oriented answers.’
‘An extremely helpful team that is attentive and always provides clear and understandable advice. They take into account different jurisdictions and local laws. They are very professional.’
Key clients
Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd.
Oatly AB
Concordia Maritime AB (publ)
Trident BMC AB
Wallenius Lines AB
Walleniusrederierna Aktiebolag
Wallenius Marine AB
Wallenius SOL AB
Sweden Orient Line AB
UK P&I Club
Thomas Miller & Co Ltd.
London P&I Club
North Standard Limited
Elof Hansson Trade AB
West of England P&I
Work highlights
- Managed a grounding incident involving extensive emergency response measures, salvage operations and bunker oil pollution mitigation measures on behalf of Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd.
- Representing Oatly AB in litigation relating to a freight forwarding agreement with the global freight forwarding company Geodis Sweden AB.
- Advised Concordia Maritime AB (publ) in connection with the public takeover bid from Stena Sessan AB.
Advokatfirman Vinge
Advokatfirman Vinge’s maritime and transport law team remains at the forefront of the sector, advising domestic and foreign shipping companies as well as major P&I Clubs, among other clients, on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The Gothenburg-based team is noted particularly for its expertise in sea transport and port-related work. Practice head Michele Fara has an outstanding reputation in both transactional matters as well as litigation and arbitration proceedings, while Ninos Aho is especially well versed in regulatory and commercial transport law. Paula Bäckdén’s comprehensive practice encompasses contract drafting, re-flagging issues, cargo damage claims, and issues relating to cargo and customs. Anders Leissner specialises in international trade issues in the shipping sector, and senior associate Anna Egefalk is also a key contact.
Practice head(s):
Michele Fara
Other key lawyers:
Ninos Aho; Anders Leissner; Anna Egefalk; Paula Bäckdén
Testimonials
‘They are hands down the best firm in Sweden when it comes to shipping. They give it to you straight if and when it is time to back down.’
‘Michele Fara is clearly the best shipping lawyer in Sweden. Vinge also has a very high-quality team, for example Anna Egefalk. They have a good practical approach and Michele has a very good way of simplifying very complex questions. The team communicates clearly and to the point, which is highly appreciated from a client point of view.’
‘Anders Leissner is a rockstar. He is incredibly responsive and knowledgeable and always commercial. His knowledge of the shipping industry in particular is an incredible asset.’
‘Michele Fara is an excellent shipping lawyer with a keen strategic mind.’
‘Paula Bäckdén is recognised as one of the few expert shipping lawyers in Sweden. She is responsive and highly knowledgeable in her field.’
‘Michele Fara and his colleagues are true experts and understand the logistics business. As a client you have great trust in that they will assist you in finding a solution to your legal challenges in a business practical manner.’
‘Paula Bäckden is a true shipping lawyer! She is a very intelligent lawyer with vast knowledge of most aspects of maritime law.’
‘An extremely knowledgeable team with a pragmatic and to-the-point approach. One of the few true shipping experts in Sweden.’
Cirio Advokatbyrå AB
Cirio Advokatbyrå AB’s shipping team continues to collaborate with lawyers in the firm’s M&A and finance departments to advise on dry shipping matters, particularly ship financings and refinancings. Practice head Carl Axel Morvay has a strong reputation in the sector; he regularly advises ship owners and international banks on domestic and cross-border investment and financings.
Practice head(s):
Carl Axel Morvay
Testimonials
‘Carl-Axel Morvay is always on it and gets the deal done. He is a top-quality operator.’
‘Carl-Axel Morvay is great – he knows the shipping world well and offers sensible, commercial advice.’
‘A great team that is very responsive and a pleasure to deal with.’
‘A good shipping practice.’
Key clients
Viking Line Abp
Stromma Group
Gard AS
Swedish Orient Line
Wallenius SOL
Credit Agricole
NIBC BANK N.V
Work highlights
- Advised Swedish Orient Line on substantial shipping mandates.
- Advising Credit Agricole on the multiple cross-border financings.
- Advising NIBC BANK NV on the financing of two vessels.
CMS Wistrand
CMS Wistrand’s shipping and transport practice in Gothenburg remains active in the sector, and Kristofer Selvin has notable experience advising shipping companies and ferry operators on ship sales, ship finance transactions, and port agreement negotiations. He leads the team with senior associate Ida Dahlborg, whose broad practice covers ship building, ship finance, and marine insurance mandates. Associate Linda Rydén joined the team in 2024, bringing with her experience in charter party disputes and cargo damage claims, among other areas.
Practice head(s):
Ida Dahlborg; Kristofer Selvin
Other key lawyers:
Linda Rydén
Key clients
Stena Line Scandinavia AB
Advokatfirman Lindahl KB
Advokatfirman Lindahl KB’s national shipping and transportation practice works closely with lawyers in the firm’s M&A, insolvency, finance, and capital markets groups to advise domestic and international clients on a wide variety of dry shipping matters. Helsingborg-based Johan Karlefors leads the team, while Sten Gejrot in Malmö specialises in shipping finance matters, and Anna Ramsay in Gothenburg also handles vessel financings as well as vessel sales and purchases. Senior associate Peter Bäverlid also plays a key role, handling commercial matters for a variety of clients active in the sector.
Practice head(s):
Johan Karlefors
Other key lawyers:
Sten Gejrot; Anna Ramsay; Peter Bäverlid
Key clients
Västtrafik AB
Svenska Skeppshypotek
West of England
Next Advokater
Next Advokater’s shipping and transport department advises a wide range of domestic and international clients on wet and dry matters. Practice head Matthias Schmitt, who is a member of both the Swedish and German bar associations, specialises in shipping, transport, logistics and insurance law, and has considerable experience advising on cross-border shipping and transport insurance matters.
Practice head(s):
Matthias Schmitt
Testimonials
‘Matthias Schmitt has exceptional knowledge of Swedish and German transport and maritime law and very good experience in arbitration procedures. He gives very competent advice.’
‘Matthias Schmitt is very competent in Swedish and German law.’
‘Matthias Schmitt has been our external legal partner for years and its a pleasure to deal with him. He understands the urgency of our requests, always provides an informative answer and highlights any issues that he may foresee. He is knowledgeable, helpful and provides a great service.’