Shipbuilding & Offshore Construction

Experience in the marine engineering sector complements members’ specialism and experience in the general construction, engineering and energy sectors. Members of Atkin Chambers have acted in some of the largest shipbuilding disputes in the world – most famously acting in the ‘Solitaire’ bulk carrier conversion dispute in Sembawang Corporation v Pacific Ocean Shipbuilding [2004] EWHC 2743 (Comm).

Members are experienced in cases concerning new builds, conversion and repairs, and in the issues which typically arise in such projects, including allegations of defective procurement, design and construction, claims in respect of delay and loss and expense, disputes over variations and pricing, bonds and guarantees, repudiatory breach, and termination.

Members’ experience is illustrated by the wide range of vessels in respect of which they have been instructed, including, for example:

  • deep water pipe-laying vessels;
  • tug supply vessels;
  • rock dumping vessels;
  • deep water drilling vessels, rigs, platforms and pontoons;
  • FSOs and FPSOs (very often relating to the topsides element);
  • semi-submersibles;
  • heavy lift vessels;
  • battleships;
  • cruise ships; and
  • yachts (including, in particular, super yachts).

Specific examples include:

  • acting in an international arbitration for a shipbuilder in South East Asia concerning issues arising out of the construction of a fall pipe rock laying vessel;
  • acting in a SIMA arbitration in relation to a shipbuilding dispute between Singaporean and Norwegian parties concerning the construction of the top side for a gas FPSO; and
  • acting for a German shipyard in connection with disputes about cost and time overruns in the construction of one of the world’s largest super yachts.