Passenger shipping

Penningtons Manches Cooper’s specialist team of passenger shipping lawyers offers genuine sector expertise from our network of offices in key jurisdictions around the world. Our multi-disciplinary practice provides a 24/7 service to cruise lines, ferry operators, P&I clubs and insurers on the full range of commercial issues and disputes.

Cruise and ferry expertise

With many years of experience and a long-established reputation in maritime law, we are able to deliver an unrivalled service to clients in the cruise and ferry industry. Our lawyers, some of whom have previously worked in-house, fully understand the organisations we support, putting forward practical legal solutions to the wide-ranging challenges that they face. A combination of strong technical skills and sector knowledge enables us to deliver comprehensive legal guidance.

We advise on incident investigation, regulatory compliance and personal injury and fatality claims. Recognised as one of the leading firms for marine personal injury work, we have been involved in many high profile matters in recent years. We regularly guide clients through the complex international regulatory regime relevant to passenger shipping, including advising on the operation of the Athens Convention and the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations.

The team at Penningtons Manches Cooper are consummate professionals and can be counted on when difficult situations arise.

Our specialists also provide expertise in ship finance and leasing requirements as well as in sale and purchase, new-buildings, refit contracts and charterparties. We advise on commercial and passenger contracts, as well as risk mitigation strategies.

Marine employment law, including the Maritime Labour Convention, is another area in which we demonstrate a strong track record. Our team has been involved in leading English cases relating to employment at sea and we have particular experience of advising clients on trade union recognition. We are also respected for our ability to negotiate the right outcome for clients facing reputation and crisis management issues.

In the UK, our passenger shipping lawyers regularly act on criminal matters including breaches of health and safety regulations and allegations of crime at sea. We have significant knowledge of investigations by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and can handle any subsequent prosecutions.

Our integrated global team places great emphasis on working closely together and includes both English and locally qualified lawyers across our network of offices. We are able to visit clients and their vessels at short notice, instruct experts and carry out investigations in local jurisdictions to ensure they receive prompt and efficient support that fully serves their needs.

How we help our clients

Advice on the Athens Convention and the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations

Expert support in marine accidents and casualty response

New-build and refit contracts, and ship finance

Passenger tickets and terms and conditions of carriage, disputes and commercial disputes

Marine personal injury and fatality claims

Coroners’ Inquests

Alleged breaches of health and safety and environmental legislation

Investigations by local authorities

Commercial contracts

Employment contracts, the Maritime Labour Convention and trade union issues

Shipbuilding and repair

Restructuring and insolvency

Recent work highlights

Claims management for cruise incidents

Successfully acting for a number of passenger ship operators, including international cruise brands, in respect of claims by passengers following accidents and outbreaks of illness subject to the Athens Convention and the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

Package Travel and LTA compliance

Advising cruise lines on their obligations under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 in relation to regulatory matters, injury, illness and third-party claims against providers.

Supplier issues and contractual clarity

Advising cruise industry clients on contractual matters, including the interpretation and enforcement of agreements with suppliers and service providers, and addressing issues arising from alleged breaches of contract.

Personal injury claims at sea

Providing guidance on claims brought under maritime regulations involving a variety of injuries, including complex cases requiring Immediate Needs Assessments and input from multiple medical experts.

Equality Act and mobility in travel

Assisting on discrimination claims brought under the Equality Act 2010, particularly in relation to the rights of assisted passengers and those with reduced mobility.

Ferry fire and cargo damage

Advising on a case involving a fire aboard a ferry caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery, resulting in significant damage to the vessel and its cargo, and prompting an enquiry by the local maritime authorities.

Marine collision and liability investigation

Acting on a high-profile marine collision involving a number of fatalities with an immediate investigation by the authorities and complex criminal and civil liability claims arising from the incident.

Marine collision and liability investigation

They have a particularly strong team in the passenger shipping sector who are highly capable with dealing with everything from complex passenger claims to casualties to investigations by maritime authorities.

The team is exceptional because of its legal expertise and knowledge of the commercial and operational issues of the maritime sector, with great focus on claims.

Penningtons are experts at handling complex matters in such a way that their client is at ease and is able to rely upon them to see matters through from the inception to the conclusion of a claim.