Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's shipping law capabilities take in both advisory and contentious aspects, namely the drafting of logistics and warehousing agreements, transactions involving the sale and purchase of ships, permitting mandates, customs and cargo claims, limitation actions and litigation following collisions and spills. The group’s client roster regularly features shipowners, operators, builders, charterers and marine terminal operators. The practice is jointly directed by Montreal-based Jean-Marie Fontaine, who handles a full range of advisory, transactional and contentious shipping matters; Vancouver-based Dionysios Rossi, who routinely represents clients involved in shipping, transportation, environmental and energy-related disputes; and Toronto-based Robin Squires, who has focused his practice on aviation, maritime and land transportation-related litigation.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
  • Kongsberg Maritime
  • Hanwin Shipping
  • Tymac Launch Services
  • The British Columbia Coast Pilots
  • Hapag-Lloyd

Work highlights

  • Acted as Canadian legal counsel to Kirby Corporation in all ongoing civil proceedings arising from the grounding of the US flagged tugboat M/T Nathan E. Stewart on October 13, 2016.
  • Acted as counsel to Zim Integrated Shipping Services in all ongoing legal matters arising from a major vessel casualty incident involving the Zim Kingston container ship in Juan de Fuca Strait in October 2021.
  • Defended Maersk in an action against various entities claiming damages in connection with an allegedly stolen shipment of silver ingots in January 2020.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jean-Marie Fontaine, Dionysios Rossi, Robin Squires