Maritime law experts at premier shipping firm Kincaid | Mendes Vianna Advogados are counsel of choice for an array of clients, from shipowners, charters, and carriers, to P&I clubs, terminal and port operators and shipyards. Well-versed in both dry and wet shipping matters, the practice is often seen advising on complex transactions, the recovery of maritime credits, administrative proceedings and judicial litigation. Shipping accidents such as collisions, fires and grounding procedures before the Port Captaincy and Admiralty Court are also key areas of expertise for the department. Predominantly based in Rio, the 'team of specialised professionals' is led by Camila Mendes Vianna Cardoso, best known for her expertise in acting for shipyards, shipowners, charters and P&I clubs on arbitration and litigation cases, Godofredo Mendes Vianna, who specialises in arbitration and litigation related to shipping and international trade disputes, and Iwam Jaeger, who focuses on disputes involving insurance underwriters and companies, trading companies and reinsurers. Fernanda Martinez Campos Cotecchia is the name to note for contractual, corporate and regulatory advice. Lucas Leite Marques is the go-to lawyer in São Paulo for both maritime and oil and gas issues. Juliana Pizzolato Furtado Senna left the firm in September 2023.

The shipping and transport group at Castro Barros Advogados has a strong cross-border dry and wet shipping practice led by Olympio Carvalho and Camilla Werneck. The department is particularly noted for its expertise in litigation matters, handling a number of claims including bills of lading, vessel arrests, and reimbursement and compensation claims. Practitioners are also skilled in proceedings initiated by the National Petroleum Agency and in contractual claims. Carvalho is an excellent maritime litigator who is well versed in shipping and transport disputes and transactional issues. Fellow co-head Werneck also handles a wide range of contentious matters, from cargo claims and casualties, to ship arrests and charterparty disputes. The latter is a key are of focus for associate Ana Luiza Rizzo Cardoso.

Sitting as part of the infrastructure and project finance group, the shipping team at Cescon Barrieu centres its work around financing transactions and dry shipping contractual matters for banks, finance companies, chartering and offshore service suppliers. The firm has handled a large number of oil platform and ship financings, and is well versed in advising offshore drilling contractors on transactions with shipyards and oil companies. As a full-service law firm, the team benefits from close collaboration with the firm's capital markets, tax and litigation teams. Practice head Rafael Baleroni leads on vessel financings, restructurings and contractual negotiations, and is particularly well versed in cross-border issues.

Showcasing particular strength in dry shipping matter, Mattos Filho is regularly involved in large transactions. The team boasts an impressive offshore supply client base, but also acts for other major shipping players and individuals in the sale and purchase of vessels, drafting and negotiation of terms of contracts, and acquisitions of yachts. Despite its focus on dry shipping matters, the team fields solid litigation capabilities. Nilton Mattos leads the practice and is a specialist in dry shipping; he has a wealth of experience of in mandates involving ports and offshore services.

Based in Fortaleza, Promare | Rabb Carvalho Advocacia fields a longstanding shipping and international trade practice that covers both contentious and non-contentious maritime law issues. On the litigation front, the team routinely advises on charter agreement disputes and embargos, oil leaks, and contractual disputes, but it is its work on ship collisions, charger agreements and international trade contracts that makes it stand out in the market. Larry Carvalho, a key contact for P&I clubs, shipowners, charters, and port operators, handles shipping and international trade contentious issues. Jeová Costa Lima Neto works closely with Carvalho, assisting with wet shipping matters, including accidents and emergencies. Mariana Félix advises shipping clients on labour law disputes.

Boutique shipping firm Shipping Consultoria focuses on representing clients before courts and governmental agencies in a wide variety of maritime law mandates. Typical contentious matters handled by the practice include construction, cargo, bills of lading, and charterparty disputes as well as issues concerning ship arrests, casualties, marine insurance and environmental liability. Proficient in both wet and dry shipping matters, the group attracts regular instructions from a varied client base consisting of shipowners, charterers, P&Is and other key shipping players. Practice head Fernando Porto has notable expertise in complex contractual issues involving charterparty, construction and insurance contracts. Disputes specialist Fernando Porto Filho handles complex arbitration and litigation for shipping clients, such as ship arrests, asset freezing, and casualties.

Vieira Rezende' maritime practice combines contractual, tax, labour, arbitration and litigation expertise making it a popular destination for shipping clients requiring all-round legal support. Acting for a variety of clients, including offshore companies, port terminal companioperators and P&I clubs, the team handles a mix of wet and dry shipping matters, including charter and transportation agreements, cargo trading, and marine incidents. The team is well positioned to act in emergency responses to a myriad of maritime accidents, from explosions to strandings, marine pollution and personal accidents. Leading the practice, Bernardo Mendes Vianna is a key name to note for P&I clubs, and stands out for his expertise in wet shipping matters, such as casualties. Senior associate Erika Feitosa Chaves handles judicial and administrative litigation for the oil and gas and maritime sectors.

Founded in 2021, Garbois + Melo Advogados is a specialist law firm focusing on shipping, tax and dispute resolution. The maritime practice is led by founding partner and litigator Breno Garbois, who actively assists shipowners and service providers in charterparty disputes, and also possesses strong transactional capabilities. Fellow founding partner Flavia Melo has a wealth of experience in disputes involving cargo claims, accidents, and oil spills for liners and P&I clubs; Melo has been increasingly retained by shipowners, offshore service providers, and insurers in emergency response to casualty matters.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados' shipping practice covers regulatory, corporate and litigation matters. With a strong presence in the oil and gas sector, the team is particularly well placed to advise on shipping matters related to this segment. Maritime and shipping contracts, M&A deals, vessels purchases and sale, and litigation before administrative bodies and judicial courts are all areas of activity for the firm. Civil litigator Luis Cláudio Furtado Faria focuses on shipping and maritime disputes; he is often seen handling international maritime and port arbitrations, as well as litigation involving charter claims, casualties and incidents. Associate Mariana Rodrigues da Costa is also key to assisting with administrative, judicial and regulatory disputes.

Salomão, Kaiuca, Abrahão, Raposo e Cotta fields a deeply experienced bench of lawyers specialised in the shipping and maritime sectors. The practice works with major liners in Brazil and has a strong presence in the offshore maritime support sector. Dispute resolution is a core focus for the firm, which acts for clients in contentious matters involving navigation, cargo, freight, arrests, maritime mortgages, port operations; contractual negotiations and extra-contractual liability are other typical mandates for the team. Maritime disputes experts Livia Sancio, Rodrigo Cotta, and Luis Felipe Salomão Filho, all of whom are ‘very qualified, have strategic thinking and a commercial vision‘, jointly lead the practice.

Following the arrival of new practice head Juliana Senna in September 2023 from Kincaid | Mendes Vianna Advogados, the ports and maritime practice at Tauil & Chequer Advogados is now prepared to handle the entire range of dry shipping matters. Covering advice on regulatory, contractual and financing matters, the group is often engaged in work related to offshore support vessels, subsea construction projects, and gas-to-power projects. Co-head Eduardo Maccari Telles focuses on tax issues pertaining to the shipping and maritime sectors.