On 4 June 2024 BIMCO released a new version of WRECKSTAGE, which has long been the industry standard agreement for maritime wreck removal projects where the contractor is remunerated on a lump sum basis. Several changes have been made to this new version, the most important being a new optional risk allocation procedure, which is intended to give greater certainty in the allocation of risks. The result is an improved form which will no doubt be warmly welcomed by the industry.

Yesterday, BIMCO released a new version of WRECKSTAGE, which has long been the industry standard agreement for maritime wreck removal projects where the contractor is remunerated on a lump sum basis. Several changes have been made, the most important being a new optional risk allocation procedure, often referred to as QRA (quantitative risk assessment), which is intended to give greater certainty in the allocation of risks. The result is an improved form which will be warmly welcomed by the industry.

Norwegian media has recently published a number of stories on the alleged poor working conditions at Turkish shipyards. Norwegian shipowners contracting with foreign yards must be prepared to provide information on their efforts to ensure decent working conditions pursuant to the Norwegian Transparency Act.

After several years of negotiations, an intergovernmental conference at the UN has reached an agreement on a draft treaty aimed at conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The treaty has a potential to significantly impact international shipping.

The Lloyd’s Open Form survives – but its future remains uncertain.

In a recent decision, the Norwegian Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from a Norwegian shipowner over the Court of Appeal’s decision, which upheld the District Court’s conviction and sentencing of the shipowner to six months in prison for participating in an attempt to illegally export the barge carrier “Harrier” from Norway for demolition at Gadani, Pakistan.

In March of this year, the United Nations passed an historic resolution which may result in a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution in the oceans.

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Specialist Counsel

Sindre specialises in maritime dispute resolution and the handling of maritime casualties. He regularly advises shipowners, managers, charterers, shipyards, P&I clubs, H&M insurers and others within the maritime sector. He has experience with ship arrests, forced sales and other enforcement action. He pleads cases before both ordinary courts and arbitration tribunals. 

Sindre has assisted with the investigation and handling of maritime casualties in Norway and abroad, including i.a. salvage, limitation of liability, wreck removal, pollution, charter party disputes, coverage issues, international private law and cargo claims. He also has experience with general contract law, shipbuilding and ship sale/purchase. 

Sindre holds a law degree from the University of Oslo, where he was a Research Assistant at the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law. He also holds a Master of Laws (LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Oslo

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Sindre specialises in maritime dispute resolution and the handling of maritime casualties.