The cruise and ferry industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the holiday market with over 50 new-build ships to be constructed in the next five years.
Hill Dickinson has one of the largest specialist teams dedicated to the needs of Cruise and Ferry operators. It has dealt with many recent significant incidents including several high-profile casualties and virus outbreaks aboard cruise ships.
The Hill Dickinson cruise/ferry team acts for virtually all the major players in the industry, as well as for smaller operators. We are Associate Members of the Passenger Shipping Association and sit on many of its specialist committees. These committees advise owners on issues and regulations relating to everything from port and terminal facilities through to insurance and casualty handling.
Areas of expertise include:
- Construction
- Purchase/chartering
- Finance
- Concessionaires agreements
- Insurance
- Health and safety/ISM/SMS/SOLAS
- Casualties
- Passenger injuries/Illnesses
- Crew claims
- Crew contracts
- Intellectual property
- Package travel regulation claims
We provide clients with the practical legal knowledge they require for the safe and effective management of their businesses, as well as advice on advertising campaigns, media requirements, compliance with the ASA and other consumer protection Codes and Regulations. We have on hand experts in relation to tour operator liability with regard to package and non-package holidays, including brochure production and compliance.
The team is led by Maria Pittordis, one of the most well known and respected practitioners in the field of personal injury in the marine market. Maria has recently been appointed Chair of the European Cruise Council's Consumer Affairs Committee, representing all the leading cruise companies operating in Europe. It also includes: Javed Ali, previously Senior Legal Advisor for Thomson Holidays.
We have advised the Passenger Shipping Association for 50 years and we are business partners of ABTA, Associate Members of the PSA (Passenger Shipping Association) and the ECC (European Cruise Council). We regularly attend and advise the PSA meetings on health, security and welfare. Maria Pittordis is the only external member of the ECC committee on Passenger Rights and has previously been involved in advising the DTI on the Athens Protocol 2002 and represented the Cruise and Ferry industry before the EU Commission in Brussels.
- Meet the teamClick above
Key contacts
- Telephone
- +44 (0)20 7280 9296
- maria.pittordis@hilldickinson.com
