HFW

CMI - Comité Maritime International Rio de Janeiro 2026 has now come to a close, and what an excellent event it was. Congratulations to CMI President Ann Fenech and the wider team for delivering such a successful and engaging Colloquium. I had the pleasure of chairing a constructive and valuable meeting of the CMI International Working Group on Piracy, Seizure, Maritime Violence and Fraudulent Activity. My thanks to all Working Group members for their participation and contributions. I also had the privilege of moderating a Colloquium panel session: “The Weaponisation of Sea Routes: Is Shipping in the Firing Line?” My sincere thanks to our panellists: Professor Rafael Zelesco Barretto Rita Feodrippe Nick Shaw Pietro Palandri We had a lively and thought-provoking discussion covering issues including the impact of conflict on seafarers, lessons emerging from the Russia/Ukraine conflict and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, seizures and hostile boardings, the Iran conflict, and broader questions around whether we are witnessing a changing international order in maritime law. We concluded by reflecting on the importance of CMI in helping maintain stability, predictability and legal certainty in an increasingly complex operating environment. Many of these issues increasingly sit at the intersection of law, security, geopolitics and operational response — an area where legal advice is becoming ever more integrated with broader strategic decision-making. The Brazilian Maritime Law Association ensured that all attendees in Rio enjoyed a fantastic experience. My thanks also to Bernardo de Senna from HFW’s cooperation firm in Brazil, CAR - Costa & Rocha Advogados , for his support and hospitality throughout the week. #HFW #ComplexEnvironments #CMI #MaritimeLaw #Shipping #CrisisManagement

Join us at HFW’s Offshore Wind Conference in London on 21 May, where we will explore how offshore wind projects are navigating competing risk priorities amid an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment. Further details can be found below.

* * * UPDATE * * * Airport drop off zone penalty * * * UPDATE * * * APCOA have responded to my appeal (14 days after the appeal was lodged) disputing my interpretation of the Parking Eye case, Charlie from APCOA explains: "Referring to the Supreme Court decision in Beavis -v- Parking Eye, a motorist who parks in a car park does so on the terms displayed on the noticeboards and thereby enters a contract with the Operator and an agreement to pay the charge displayed. The Judgement accepted that whilst the charge had the characteristics of a penalty in that the Operator did not suffer any specific financial loss, it was commercially justifiable as it was neither improper in its purpose nor manifestly excessive in its amount. The Judgement accepted that such a charge can be made to protect a legitimate interest, namely the efficient operation of the car park, without it being classed or treated as a penalty." Sorry, Charlie I don't agree. Unlike Mr Beavis, I did not park in a car park, or overstay the permitted drop off time. Accordingly, the uplifted £165 "charge" being claimed is not justified by reliance on Beavis v Parking Eye and an argument that it is made to protect a legitimate interest of the efficient operation of the car park. I accept the obligation to pay the charge for using the drop off zone, but this is £7 (not £165), and am happy to pay that charge. The £165 charge is clearly a penalty: in the circumstances of an airport drop off zone it cannot be deemed to be anything other than a penalty as there was no overstaying or other detriment to the car park owner. Now, Charlie, however has agreed to withdraw the £165 Charge, if I instead agree to pay the £25 late payment charge... #backintobat #orcutmylosses

We are very much looking forward to our upcoming OW Conference at our offices in London on 21 May. There are a handful of spaces remaining, so please let me know if you would like to attend. We are particularly pleased that Iain Granger, Chief Executive of IMCA, has agreed to deliver our Key Note speech to bring the Conference to a conclusion. I am also looking forward to the panel discussion on price inflation, which will hear the thoughts of Jack Wattel of N-Sea and Mike Stokes (Ankura) and Charles Wilsoncroft (HKA). #HFW #HFWoffshore #HFWoffshorewind #balancingcompetingriskappetites

Great news for international container terminal operators affiliated with container shipping lines clearly the way for them to be able to participate in the forthcoming tender for the Tecon 10 container terminal development in Santos, Brazil. If successful, this would require the winning bidder to divest of its shareholding in any other container terminals at the port to allay competition fears. #containerterminals #containershipping #portdevelopment #portconcessions #santos #brazil

Proud parent moment! 🎓 Congratulations to my son Joshua Timbrell on earning his Master of Business Administration (MBA). Your hard work, determination, and commitment have truly paid off, and I couldn’t be prouder of the person and professional you continue to become. I’m excited to see where this next chapter takes you and confident you’ll make a meaningful impact wherever you go. Congratulations again on this incredible milestone!

Thank you to my fellow #GLAbangkok panellists for a lively discussion of cross border considerations in maritime arbitration across the ASEAN region ⚓️⚖️

Thank you Singapore for an energising #SMW ⚓️💙 Next stop Bangkok for #GLA with Simon Bellas 📚⚖️

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!