Coronavirus and Shipping – What to expect
Introduction
We realise a technical glitch caused errors with our earlier mailing. We are re-sending the update and hope that it is of interest.
Although we all have health concerns arising from the Covid-19 virus, we must also gauge how to react in a business setting and be prepared to deal with the crisis now and going forward.
At PMC, we think that past financial crises offer warnings and some guidance to the shipping sector. A severe economic slow-down will engender payment issues for many businesses, and as in the financial crises of 2008-9, even sound businesses can run into trouble if others default. Where payment issues arise, quick action will need to be taken to ensure that security is in place and experience tells us that, despite the massive international government interventions, insolvency events will follow.
In the next few weeks international shipping by sea will be increasingly crucial to the economy as goods, particularly foodstuffs, need to continue to move notwithstanding quarantines and disruption to transport. For our economic well-being as a whole, trade must continue, or at least must restart as quickly as possible when disrupted. Just as the virus has moved very quickly due to modern transport methods, we all remain dependent on maintaining international transport links for goods notwithstanding the disruption.
It is particularly important for shipping companies to have awareness of legal issues that could affect their ability to trade as part of their crisis management planning. We believe that these will be some of the critical legal issues in the shipping sector in the weeks and months to come:
Ensuring cash-flow and taking decisive and early steps to secure claims or assets where necessary
Dealing with insolvency of counterparties
Handling quarantines or embargoes
Providing a safe place of work for crew and shore staff
Resolving logistical difficulties for transport
Managing immigration clearance of crew
Maintaining certification and understanding insurance coverage
Considering the implications of requisitions and other state intervention in the sector
In addition to these general themes, we are advising clients on how to manage more sector specific issues. In the cruise industry, we are supporting our clients through difficult decisions relating to their operations and the Package Travel Regulations. Our Ship and Yacht Finance team have produced guidance and tips on how to manage transactions in the current climate and our Trade Finance team has produced a thought leadership article on the issues that may arise in Trade Finance, please see below for both articles.
PMC are working on these and other issues for clients in shipping and other sectors and our latest guidance on the legal and practical implications of the Coronavirus outbreak is here. This page will be updated regularly with guidance on the issues as they arise in shipping and more widely.
Where it is thought that existing contracts may be affected by Coronavirus they should be checked carefully and urgently to review whether there are termination or force majeure provisions that apply. Difficult decisions may need to be taken and all stakeholders should keep abreast of the latest Government and WHO advice as this will impact on how contracts will be construed. There may also be changes in local laws which make the performance of existing contracts impossible and this should be monitored closely.
PMC is ready to help in all of these areas and is actively monitoring current developments to assist you with your strategy going forward.
Please feel free to contact any of our team if you require advice or guidance on these or any other issues. Contact a member of the team.
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