Case studies

We were instructed by the owner and hull underwriter in respect of a total loss by fire of a 20m motor yacht.

Following a drawn-out battle with Chinese guarantors, members of our London-based team instructed by the shipowners, were successful in the Court of Appeal in the case of Spar Shipping AS v Grand China Logistics Holding (Group) Co Limited.

This case involved a fire on a car carrier, Asian Chorus, as it was passing through the Malacca Straits. Spanish cargo underwriters instructed our Madrid office over the loss and damage of 114 cars.

We have been instructed by Maersk, which owns and operates the Maersk Karachi, in relation to the collapse of a shore crane onto her deck, and the tragic loss of the crane operator.

Following the grounding of one of the world’s largest megayachts in the Eastern Mediterranean, our Piraeus office was instructed to assist the assured megayacht owners with recovery of the costs of one the most expensive megayacht repair claims under their policy of insurance.

We have been instructed by the Swedish P&I Club (as the leading hull and machinery underwriters) and the following market in a claim for US$15 million brought by the former owners of MV Renos following an engine room fire that took place near Suez in 2012.

Specialists from our shipping team have attended vessels equipped with VDR-software enabled laptops to allow a detailed review of data while taking the crew’s statements.

At Penningtons Manches Cooper, we have extensive expertise in marine salvage law and are one of the few firms dealing with over 10 salvage cases per year.

After a fatality during a mooring operation in a UK port, we mobilised rapidly to represent crew members at police, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) interviews and to protect the shipowners’ interests during ongoing investigations by the authorities, whilst simultaneously securing documentary, witness and physical evidence.