Shipbuilding and ship sales

Shipbuilding and ship sales

Shipbuilding and ship sales

Shipbuilding and ship sales

Shipbuilding and ship sales

Shipbuilding and ship sales

Shipbuilding contracts differ significantly from general construction contracts in that they do not only involve a complex construction project, but at the same time have to take into account financing conditions, specific registration procedures during the construction and at the time of delivery of the ship, title to the ship, builder's lieu etc. Most shipbuilding contracts are based on a strandardised framework contract (SAJ, NEWBUILDCON Form, CMAC, AWES Form) which is then adapted to the specific characteristics of the project. A range of commitments must be agreed, from performance guarantees, to the size of the installments and the determination of a refund guarantee.

Leeward has extensive experience in shipbuilding on shipyards at home and abroad. Leeward guides you through every step of the construction process, from the negotiating table to te signing of the protocol of delivery and acceptance. This requires an integrated approach that goes beyond the purely legal and puts the commercial interests first.

A good understanding and sharp analysis of the various contract forms is essential when supervising sale/purchase transactions of ships or for resolving disputes arising from these transactions.

Our expertise in drawing up and adapting these forms enables us to meet the specific needs of our clients in terms of risks and commercial interests.

One of the important decisions of a shipowner is to choose the flag state. The flage state is the state in which the ship will be registered in the shipping register. This choice has far-reaching legal, tax, and social security implications. Leeward can advise you on this and has experience with the legal concepts and administrative procedures concerning the registration of ships. We also have an internatinoal network of law firms that can assist you with this, anywhere in the world.

The substsantial cost and time involved in the construction and purchase of a ship will almost always result in the need for financing by the shipyard and/or the buyer. Leeward searches together with ship owners for the most suitable method of financing (Buyers's or Builder's credit) and checks on subsidy. Furthermore, Leeward assists in negotiating the most suitable position. This may include the amount of advance payments to be made and the registration of the ship under construction. 

Leeward has experience in the field of (ship) mortgages and will advise you straightforward on the potential risks and liabilities for each of your strategies. Our goals is to minimize your risks and achieve the best results for you activities.