SHIPPING
It is estimated that about 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea and 90% of the world’s trade is carried out through international shipping.
Within the intricate confines of the world’s shipping web are numerous key players including owners, carriers, shippers, charterers, forwarders, cargo owners, importers/exporters, insurance, P&I clubs, terminal operators, bailors and bailees of goods, port and dock authorities, banks & financial institutions, stevedores, maritime unions and associations, transportation and haulage companies, brokers, various category of agents/agencies representing the various interests and so many other players.
With regular involvement of several groups and interests in the shipping chain before a cargo arrives at its final destination, things may not always end as smoothly as envisaged by the various players.
The inevitable outcome is that sometimes dispute will arise between two or multiple players along this intricate chain.
Sound legal guidance and advise from experienced shipping lawyers from the very inception, during the actual shipment and during final discharge at the port of discharge and even up to the warehouse and storage facility becomes very invaluable.
As one of our key competencies, we have over the course of the past two and half decades provided sound legal opinion, advise and guidance to all manner of companies involved in the shipping and logistic chain.
Our lawyers understand these issues and have helped clients avoid potential risks and losses and recover claims where applicable as well as giving straightforward business advise that makes wholesome commercial sense.
We have worked for several local and international clients in all aspects of shipping including:-
- Charterparties
- Bill of lading contracts and disputes
- Cargo claims – including claims for loss and damage to goods
- Any banking, letter of credit or bills for collection transactions involving the importation or exportation of goods to and from Nigeria
- CBN, Ministry of Finance and Nigeria Customs import/export guidelines compliance
- Mediation and several successful deployment of the Shippers Complaints Unit of the Nigeria Shippers Council to resolve several high profile cases involving importers, exporters, carriers, shipping lines, courier companies and terminal operators.
- Stevedoring
- Claims arising out of piracy
- Customs & Excise and release of goods under customs detention.
