United Kingdom: Marine/ Shipping

British armed forces have detained the shadow fleet oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, marking the UK's first independent seizure of such a vessel.

The Court of Appeal examined whether shipowners were entitled to refuse loading Russian oil cargo based on sanctions risk concerns, involving a shipper associated with an EU-sanctioned individual. The case provides important guidance on interpreting risk avoidance clauses in commercial contracts, particularly where sanctions compliance creates operational uncertainty.

Businesses navigating the Strait of Hormuz crisis face complex contractual challenges as they balance enforcing protections while limiting their own exposure. This analysis examines the English-law issues arising from supply chain disruptions and provides guidance for companies managing contractual risk across shipping, energy, commodities, and construction sectors.

The Court of Appeal in MS Amlin Marine NV on behalf of MS Amlin Syndicate AML/2001 -v- King Trader Ltd & others (Solomon Trader) [2025] EWCA Civ 1387 upheld the enforceability...

On November 3, 2025, the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade's Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation ("OTSI") published new guidance on countering Russian sanctions...

The UK's ambition to become a clean energy superpower is gaining momentum as the Marine Energy Taskforce (MET) enters its second phase.

On 15 January 2025, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (the Tribunal) handed down its judgment approving the second and third settlement agreements...

On 17 January 2024 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in Herculito Maritime Ltd v. Gunvor International BV (the "Polar") [2024] UKSC 2, which considered the ramifications of a piratical seizure in the Gulf of Aden...

In Rhine Shipping v Vitol [2024], the Court of Appeal upheld the decision that Vitol's internal swaps, unaffected by Rhine's breach of contract, did not reduce Vitol's damages. Rhine's re-cast appeal was dismissed due to lack of trial evidence.