Maritime & Offshore

Offshore Drilling & Oilfield Services

We have world-wide experience in drafting and negotiating drilling contracts, master service agreements, and other offshore services contracts. V&E lawyers also have deep experience with complex joint operating agreements, offshore production and development agreements, and rig assignment and sharing contracts. In negotiating offshore contracts, our lawyers understand the market positions and perspectives of the operator and the contractor, as well as issues involving insurance, indemnity, and risk allocation.

Shipping & Chartering

We have extensive experience in drafting and negotiating voyage, time, and bareboat charters, as well as in drafting and negotiating client and trade specific clauses for industry standard charter forms. Our lawyers also draft and negotiate contracts of affreightment, contracts of carriage and bills of lading, towage contracts, and marine provisions and shipping terms for cargo sales, supply, and offtake agreements.

Maritime Finance

The Firm represents maritime and energy clients in various shipping finance transactions, including project financing and arranging credit facilities. Our lawyers have experience advising clients in lender relationships, and drafting and negotiating ship mortgages, leases, and other financing instruments for marine assets. V&E lawyers also assist in structuring transactions to accommodate various tax laws, and we regularly assist in registering and documenting vessels, and re-flagging vessels, under a variety of flags.

Vessel Sale & Purchase

Our lawyers have experience in representing clients in transactions for the sale or purchase of nearly every type of vessel – from small passenger cruise ships to offshore rigs.

Marine Construction & Vessel Conversion

V&E’s lawyers draft and negotiate contracts for new vessel construction, ship repair, and substantial vessel modifications and retrofittings. We have also been engaged in drillship and FPSO/FSRU newbuild and conversion projects. Our maritime attorneys have experience in resolving disputes arising from construction projects, construction delays, and product/service warranties.

Maritime Regulatory & Environmental Activities

V&E’s maritime lawyers represent clients in environmental, regulatory, and maritime security matters before a variety of U.S. and international government agencies and authorities. Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework in which the maritime and offshore industries operate. We regularly assist clients in navigating issues arising under U.S. laws (including the “Jones Act,” OPA90, and MTSA) as well as under international maritime codes and conventions (including ISPS, MARPOL, and the international marine liability and compensation regimes). The Firm’s lawyers have also assisted clients with issues involving classification societies and other shipping industry trade groups.

Admiralty Litigation and Dispute Resolution

V&E’s admiralty lawyers are experienced in litigating complex maritime and offshore commercial disputes, collisions, marine insurance coverage and indemnity issues, products liability claims, general average, cargo claims, and vessel seizure/arrest. We are also experienced in defending personal injury and wrongful death suits by marine and offshore workers. Our lawyers have handled maritime casualties around the world, and our capabilities in the investigation and handling of such incidents provides clients with needed information to effectively evaluate and prosecute or defend these claims.