Wikborg Rein’s shipping team is experienced in emergency response and casualty work, including sanctions-related vessel issues and matters such as bills of lading and marine insurance. Chris Grieveson leads the team, specialising in pollution incidents and complex transactional disputes. Michael Volikas advises on charterparties, shipbuilding contracts, and marine insurance, while Ian Chetwood handles ship repair claims, cargo disputes, salvage, and collisions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is very strong, with responses received quickly when necessary. Collaboration between members is excellent, and everyone is well informed of both the cases and the client’s needs and particularities.'
- 'The team is incredibly knowledgeable and commercial, always seeking the best client outcomes.'
- 'The firm’s strength lies in its people, with deep expertise in shipping, responsiveness, and meticulous attention to detail.'
- 'This firm stands out in the shipping sector, particularly within LNG, for combining deep legal expertise with a highly commercial and solutions-oriented mindset. They offer an integrated and proactive approach, often acting as long-term partners rather than external counsel.'
- 'Their consistency, attention to detail, and ability to manage matters from start to finish build confidence and foster trusted relationships. The team understands both the law and the operational and commercial imperatives driving LNG shipping and charter arrangements, providing clarity, commitment, and consistently high-quality results.'
- 'Michael Volikas is a unique lawyer with superb legal knowledge. He is always very calm and pragmatic, with strong commercial acumen. He is available almost at all times and knows how to manage the business’ legal needs. He has the gift of being able to anticipate developments and possesses a holistic view of a case. One should feel very confident in Michael’s capable hands.'
Key clients
- MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.
- Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd (EPS)
- Navios (Navios Maritime Partners, Navios Tankers Management & Navios South American Logistics)
- P&I Clubs (Britannia, Gard, NorthStandard, London Club, Skuld, UK P&I, West)
- TMS Group (TMS Tankers, Cardiff Marine & TMS Cardiff Gas)
- Maersk
- Naftomar
- Cyprus Sea Lines S.A.
- Delta Tankers Limited
- Costamare Shipping Company S.A.
Work highlights
Advising Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation on the containership YM Mobility explosion in Ningbo, China, managing emergency response, regulatory negotiations, casualty claims, and recovery actions against HMM while defending global cargo claims.
Advised Flex LNG on a 15-year time charter for LNG carrier Flex Constellation with JERA, navigating the transition to the new ShellLNGTime 2.1 form and securing long-term revenue stability in this strategic partnership.
Representing TMS Tankers and Gard (Greece), manager of the oil product tanker Burri, in a Suez Canal collision with LNG carrier BW Lesmes, navigating liability disputes and expert evidence.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Eleanor Midwinter
Practice head
Chris Grieveson
Other key lawyers
Michael Volikas; Ian Chetwood; Baptiste Weijburg; Sebastian Santorv