It has become fairly commonplace in the yachting industry to see letters of intent being used to “secure” a deal, or an exclusivity period to negotiate a particular transaction for example, particularly with an impending boat show or some other event on the horizon or – as has recently perhaps been seen with the value of the Pound dropping so significantly as against, predominantly, the Euro and the US Dollar – in response to a particular event. The common understanding in su

WQW is pleased to announce that they have assisted Nekton Foundation with legal advice on marine-related contracting for the Nekton Mission, an oceanic science project in the deep waters of the Northwest Atlantic. See here for more information on the project. The work included advising on bespoke contracts for vessel and ROV availability. WQW congratulates Nekton Foundation on the successful mission with the greater scientific understanding of the deep ocean environment that

WQW are pleased to have acted again for client Dalby Offshore on the refinancing by Lombard of five vessels in the Dalby fleet. The transaction was completed in record time and WQW would like to thank all parties involved for their pro-activity and practicality. #commercialvessels #industrynews #boutiquelawfirm

In the recent (July 2016) judgment handed down in the High Court case of Saga Cruises and another v Fincantieri SPA, several provisions commonly found in refit agreements come under the spotlight, including a provision dealing with liquidated damages for late redelivery. The case concerns the refit of the 1981-built cruise ship “SAGA SAPPHIRE” (formerly the “BLEU DE FRANCE”). A refit agreement was entered into between Saga and Fincantieri for a price of approximately €14,000

WQW are pleased to announce that Ed Woollam has been appointed a tutor by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers for its Ship Sale & Purchase and Shipping Finance modules. Ed comments – “I have been involved with the ICS education programme for a few years now as an examiner and I am looking forward to this new role and to assisting the Institute in its highly regarded international education programmes for shipbrokers and shipping executives generally.” #industrynews

“The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on;” The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam The Law Society of England & Wales issued on 21 July 2016 its guidance on the use of electronic signatures – see here. The guidance was issued after taking advice from leading counsel and is very clear and comprehensive on the general efficacy of electronic signatures for both simple contracts and deeds. However it does leave some practical questions to be answered regarding the execution of de

Photo courtesy of Dalby Offshore WQW recently had the pleasure of assisting client Dalby Offshore on the acquisition and financing of the Alicat newbuild WFSV “Dalby Ouse”. Some more information on this innovative vessel can be found in here. #industrynews #commercialvessels

In a judgment published on 6 May 2016, the Planning Court of the High Court of Justice quashed a decision of the Planning Inspector to allow planning permission for the development by Cammell Laird of an on-shore office and warehouse building to serve as a marine operations and maintenance facility for windfarms in Liverpool Bay and on the Irish Sea. The Claimants, representing businesses and residents in the locality of the development, including a charter boat operator, arg

In all the heated debate in the UK about “Brexit” and the upcoming referendum, one aspect of EU regulation that is of crucial importance to the maritime industries has rather gone under the radar. This is the so-called EU Port Services Regulation or “PSR” which seeks to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the EU port sector by, inter alia, increasing financial transparency in the ports sector both in terms of public funding that ports may receive and their charges t

“Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere; Destroyer and preserver;” Ode to the West Wind – Percy Bysshe Shelley As an island facing the Atlantic squalls, the UK is particularly blessed in terms of its wind resource as we have all experienced here during this last winter! According to RenewableUK, the UK has been the world leader in the offshore wind industry for the last eight years, with as much capacity already installed off the UK shores as the rest of the world combined.