HFW has a comprehensive shipping offering, allowing the team to advise on the drafting of carriage and shipbuilding contracts, port infrastructure matters, regulatory compliance and major disputes. The group’s well-established client base includes international and national shipping companies, cruise liners, marine insurers and offshore energy specialists. At the helm of the practice in Melbourne is Gavin Vallely, a seasoned shipping law practitioner, who is especially proficient in handling contentious and non-contentious matters relating to port operations, international trade and offshore oil and gas operations. Maurice Thompson has longstanding experience in major multi-jurisdictional arbitration and litigation in the shipping, commodities and insurance sectors, while shipowners, operators and third-party service providers regularly seek out Stephen Thompson, who holds a strong track record in domestic and international arbitration. Owen Webb is also a key name to note, with expertise in advising on sanctions and other regulatory compliance issues.

With a particularly active shipping practice, Mills Oakley has a longstanding reputation for its marine insurer representation and transactional practice. The team’s varied case load includes advising on contract negotiations, biodiversity matters and litigation, including charterparty disputes and damaged cargo. Spearheading the practice in Sydney, Frazer Hunt is a key contact for marine insurers and is a specialist in commercial litigation. Maurice Lynch is lauded for his strong knowledge of contracts of carriage and charter agreements, while Andrew Crean is recommended for his expertise in advising inshore and offshore clients on contractual matters.

Colin Biggers & Paisley is a strong choice for ship owners, marine insurers, exporters, importers and commodity traders, with the team well known for handling charter party and commodity disputes, marine insurance, and ship sales. The practice group is co-led by experienced partners Andrew Tulloch in Melbourne, who specialises in transport insurance, and import and export disputes, and Stephen Thompson in Sydney, who focuses on advising shipping lines, port operators and logistics companies on disputes, ship arrests and regulatory issues. Stuart Hetherington is well known in the insurance market for handling liability, hull and cargo claims, as well as advising clients on legislative changes and policy interpretation. Andrew Probert covers the full array of shipping work, including marine recoveries and port liability claims.

Clifford Chance is geared towards advising on a range of cross-border work in the shipping sector, with the team’s varied case load including advisory, commercial and dispute resolution matters, as well as assisting shipbuilders in drafting shipbuilding and supply contracts. At the helm of the practice in Perth, Pat Saraceni stands out for her work in the shipping and oil and gas sectors, advising on ship arrests, regulatory compliance, admiralty proceedings and the full remit of contractual matters. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of international partner Kate Apostolova, who joined the firm from Mayer Brown's Singapore office in January 2024, bringing significant experience in disputes before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

Hall & Wilcox has a longstanding reputation for acting for domestic and international insurers across the shipping industry, handling associated claims involving marine liability, P&I, and cargo and carriers’ liabilities. Heading the practice in Sydney, Chris Sacré combines significant experience in shipping, international trade, and marine insurance, allowing him to advise on both contentious and non-contentious shipping matters. The arrivals of Pauline Davies, who joined as special counsel from Fee Langstone in New Zealand in November 2024, strengthened the team’s expertise in domestic and international dispute resolution.

Holding Redlich’s shipping practice spans both domestic and international contentious and non-contentious shipping, transport and logistics matters. Typical mandates for the team include advising on regulatory compliance, freight recovery, cargo claims and commercial ship acquisition. The group is under the joint leadership of Geoff Farnsworth and Nathan Cecil in Sydney, who showcase expertise in dispute resolution, and commercial and regulatory compliance, respectively. Melanie Long is a name of note for clients in the shipping, commodities and offshore sectors, while Michael Tatham is well versed in shipping litigation and enforcement matters.

Kennedys continues to be a key point of contact in the market for domestic and international insurers, as well as recovery agents and shipping companies. The team is recognised for its experience in handling cross-border disputes, coverage advice and high-value insurance claims. Perth-based Jonathan Wyatt and Sydney-based Peter Craney jointly steer the practice. Wyatt is highly capable in the full gamut of insurance and marine matters, while Craney is particularly well placed to provide strategic advice to insurers and insureds alike. Domarena Shahen is recommended for her expertise in advising domestic and international insurers across the complete range of coverage claims, from marine policies to general liability.

Sparke Helmore Lawyers is particularly impressive in advising on major pollution incidents and maritime regulatory matters for both private and government clients. The practice group is spearheaded by seasoned Brisbane-based partner Michelle Taylor, who showcases particular expertise in shipping casualty matters, including wreck removals, groundings and collisions.

Insurance matters and cross-border transactions are both mainstays of Wotton Kearney’s shipping practice. The team’s capabilities in ship arrests, judicial sales, charterparty disputes and policy drafting are also noteworthy. The group is led from Brisbane by Naraya Lamart, who has longstanding experience in advising on casualty crisis management, cargo claims, and marine insurance issues. Aisha Lala’s well-established client base includes insurers of shippers, domestic carriers, freight forwarders, and port and terminal operators, while Joseph Nicholls is rated for his expertise in dispute resolution and commercial drafting.