Shipping & Ports
Shipping, port and maritime businesses operate in a fast-moving international market. Sri Lanka’s position on major east–west shipping routes, and the activity at the Port of Colombo and the country’s other ports, bring a steady flow of vessel, cargo and port-related matters, many of which cross jurisdictions and must be handled urgently.
We act for owners, operators, charterers, port and terminal interests, cargo interests, financiers and insurers on transactional, operational and contentious maritime matters.
How we help
We advise clients in the shipping and ports sector on matters including:
- Vessel sale, purchase, registration and ownership structures
- Ship finance, mortgages and security arrangements
- Charterparties, bills of lading and contracts of carriage
- Port, terminal and agency agreements, including arrangements with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority
- Cargo loss, damage, shortage and delivery claims
- Vessel arrest, release and judicial sale
- Collisions, salvage, towage and general-average matters
- Marine insurance coverage and recovery claims
- Crew, employment and seafarer-related matters
- Arbitration, litigation and enforcement of maritime claims
Industry experience
We advise shipowners, operators, charterers, port and terminal interests, cargo owners, banks, insurers, protection and indemnity interests and other maritime service providers. Our work ranges from drafting and negotiating commercial arrangements to responding to casualties, arrests, cargo claims and other urgent disputes, as well as investments in shipping and port businesses. Because maritime matters often involve parties and proceedings in several jurisdictions, we regularly coordinate with international counsel, correspondents and surveyors. See also our Admiralty & Shipping practice.
Aviation
Aviation businesses depend on high-value, mobile assets, international financing and leasing structures, and close regulatory oversight of safety, operations and air services. In Sri Lanka, airlines, aircraft operators and aviation service providers are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, and aircraft transactions must address registration, security and the practical steps needed to protect owners and financiers.
We act for airlines, aircraft owners and lessors, financiers, airport and ground-service providers and investors on aviation transactions, regulation and disputes.
How we help
We advise clients in the aviation sector on matters including:
- Aircraft and engine acquisition, sale and leasing
- Aircraft financing, security and registration
- Transaction closings, deliveries and redeliveries
- Repossession, deregistration and enforcement of lessor and lender rights
- Air operator, air-service and other regulatory approvals
- Airport, ground-handling, catering and maintenance agreements
- Code-share, interline and general sales agency arrangements
- Aviation insurance and liability
- Employment, crew and workplace matters
- Passenger, cargo and commercial disputes
Industry experience
We advise airlines, aircraft owners and lessors, banks and other financiers, airport and ground-service providers, maintenance organisations, cargo operators, insurers and investors. Our work ranges from fleet-related financings and leases to operating agreements, market-entry projects, regulatory questions and claims. Where an aircraft transaction involves several jurisdictions, we coordinate with international counsel, financiers and technical advisers to provide timely and consistent Sri Lankan legal support from structuring through closing, operation and enforcement.
Transport & Logistics
Logistics, freight-forwarding, warehousing and road and rail transport businesses connect manufacturers, importers, exporters and retailers with their markets. Sri Lanka’s role as a regional transhipment and logistics centre, together with growing e-commerce and cold-chain demand, means that operators must manage customs and regulatory requirements alongside carefully allocated liability for the goods in their care.
We act for logistics providers, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, transport companies, cargo owners and investors.
How we help
We advise clients in the transport and logistics sector on matters including:
- Market entry, investment and corporate structuring
- Freight-forwarding, warehousing and third-party logistics agreements
- Multimodal transport, carriage and delivery terms
- Customs, bonded-warehouse and import-export requirements
- Free-zone and logistics-park arrangements
- Fleet acquisition, leasing and financing
- Warehouse and distribution-centre acquisitions and leases
- Insurance, liability and risk-allocation issues
- Employment and workplace matters
- Cargo, contractual and other transport-related disputes
Industry experience
We advise third-party logistics providers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehouse and cold-chain operators, road haulage and transport businesses, cargo interests, insurers and investors. Our work ranges from operating agreements and customer terms to acquisitions, joint ventures, regulatory questions, cargo claims and commercial disputes. Where a matter involves cross-border supply chains, we coordinate with international counsel and other advisers to provide consistent Sri Lankan legal support.
