Transport is of great and increasing importance to national and international trade in goods and the production of goods on the basis of raw materials and other products which are not available at the production site.
Energy and Infrastructure
Each day, goods and passengers are transported across borders by road, rail, sea and air. This means that transport agreements often affect other agreements. Has your company concluded the necessary transport and logistics agreements, or do you need advice on the sale or purchase of vessels?
At DLA Piper, we have accumulated many years of in-depth knowledge of the transport industry and its participants, and we have the expertise and experience required in all areas of shipping and transport. We advise both Danish and foreign companies, and at DLA Piper you will meet dedicated lawyers who understand your business and industry and therefore can provide top-quality legal services.
Transport and logistics agreements
We advise contracting entities and transport providers on the procurement of transport and logistics services and tender procedures in Denmark and abroad. We have drafted transport and logistics agreements for a large number of companies, describing and governing how goods are to be handled from the sender to the warehouse or recipient. The transport and logistics agreements cover all aspects of transport and identify the necessary insurance coverage.
Incoterms
In January 2011, the International Chamber of Commerce launched a new set of the recognised and widely used international commercial terms known as Incoterms. Like their predecessor, Incoterms 2010 are an excellent tool if used correctly.
With DLA Piper as your sparring partner, you will have lawyers who are Incoterms experts and who, in addition to their daily hands-on work in this area, have taught courses and written articles on them for many years.
Each Incoterm is the result of a thorough process and provides a simple and precise answer to essential questions. The real challenge with Incoterms is therefore not so much the contents of the individual terms, but the fact that they are often used incorrectly. A classic example is FOB, which is sometimes used for goods transported by road or air, even though FOB imposes an obligation on the seller to load the goods on board a vessel. If you request our assistance, we will ensure that your contract uses the Incoterm which is best suited for you in the given situation.
DLA Piper assists shipping companies, freight forwarders, line agents, stevedores, shipyards, etc. with all aspects of shipping and maritime law.
We advise on matters involving the Danish Merchant Shipping Act and international conventions and provide value-based advice to our clients and safeguard their interests in connection with disputes – in or outside the court room.
DLA Piper has a long-standing tradition of and experience in advising Danish ports and, today, DLA Piper is the market leader on legal assistance to commercial ports and marinas. Our specialised lawyers advise clients on all aspects of ports, including:
- Collection of cargo and vessel charges
- Ship arrest
- Removal of abandoned or sunken vessels
- Conclusion of terminal agreements
- Residential and/or commercial development of port areas
- Leasing of port areas
As a carrier, buyer of transport services, importer, exporter or insurer, it is important to join forces with professional advisors with in-depth knowledge of the rules applying in the area of road transport. The rules are complicated and differ for domestic and international transport.
Regardless of whether your company is already involved in a dispute concerning lost, delayed or damaged cargo or you are looking to navigate safely through terms of business, standard terms and conditions or the transport agreement as such, DLA Piper is there to assist you.
We provide assistance on all aspects of road transport. We advise on the CMR Act, NSAB 2000 as well as the general principles of the law of obligations and damages which apply on top of those rules.
We advise on issues such as:
- Drafting of warehouse and transport agreements
- Drafting of terms of business and general terms and conditions
- Insurance, including cargo and CMR insurance
- Litigation and arbitration
- Customs, duties and export restitution
- Transport permits
- Participation in board work and strategic development of companies
DLA Piper also advises Danish and foreign freight forwarders on all types of freight forwarding services. Today, freight forwarders play an important role in relation to a wide range of logistics services such as receipt and customs clearance of goods, storage, insurance and transport of goods.
We advise on issues such as:
- Drafting of logistics and framework agreements
- Drafting of terms of business and general terms and conditions
- Insurance, including liability insurance for freight forwarders
- Litigation and arbitration
- Customs duties, indirect taxes and export restitution
- Participation in board work and strategic development of companies
With our many years of experience in advising significant players in the Danish and international rail transport industry, DLA Piper has a number of experts who specialise in this specific and complicated area of the law.
The rules in the area of rail transport are complex and extensive. The fact that the rules are based on international conventions, including the CIM Convention, and that they have been interpreted by the Danish courts and international courts over the years, often make the rules more complex.
Moreover, railway transport companies are subject to a large number of regulatory requirements.
We advise on issues such as:
- Conclusion of transport and freight forwarding agreements
- Assistance to operators in their relationship with Banedanmark
- Business transfers in the rail transport industry
- Conclusion of equipment lease agreements
Air transport often involves highly valuable cargo and requires speedy responses and handling. DLA Piper meets the industry requirements for speedy and effective legal services with a view to reducing costs and any loss involved.
We are one of the leading law firms advising the civil aviation industry on issues such as cargo handling, passenger rights and registration of aircraft, and we maintain regular contact with the civil aviation authorities and have insight into their administrative procedures.
We advise on issues such as:
- Air cargo transport
- Drafting of AWB and other transport documents
- Registration of aircraft or registration of rights and interests in aircraft
- Aviation certification and training
- Crashes or other damage
- Authorisations and approvals, etc. from the civil aviation authorities