Marine economy solicitors

Commercial fishing continues to represent a key industry to Scotland’s economic prosperity.

Our team has wide experience of advising businesses operating in the fishing industry on issues including commercial matters, leases and property, licensing, brand creation and protection, health & safety, regulation and environmental.

Our local knowledge and strategic positioning place us close to the major centres of activity in the sector around Scotland.

Scotland is ranked among the world’s largest producers of farmed salmon (behind only the likes of Chile and Norway). As such, aquaculture continues to be is of growing importance to Scotland’s economy, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, with Scotland responsible for around 90% of all UK production. The industry is regulated with a view to promoting food safety, compliance with legislation and sustainability.

Scotland’s aquaculture sector continues to benefit from rapid advancements in technology, from innovations in the production of more sustainable feed solutions for farmed stock, to the application of satellite technology for accurate real-time monitoring of stock. Our expert team has experience advising sector stakeholders at all stages of technology development, from the initial brand creation and protection, to accessing funding and grant options.

We have wide experience of advising businesses operating in the aquaculture industry on issues including commercial matters, leases and property, licensing, brand creation and protection, health & safety, regulation and environmental.

From ports and harbours to commercial shipping and aquaculture, marine economic activity is supported by a vast and diverse supply chain. Whether this is in the shape of logistics and transport support, or training and educational services, our team has experience advising businesses and individuals involved in supporting those operating within the marine economy.

Our local knowledge and strategic positioning place us close to the major centres of activity in the sector around Scotland.

From charterparty agreements, to shipbuilding contracts, our team has extensive experience advising stakeholders in respect of shipping and shipbuilding.

Our key services in this area include:

• Banking and security
• Charterparty advice
• Insurance and disputes

We advise many businesses and organisations operating in the marine tourism sector, in areas including ferry operations, leisure cruising, and recreational water sports.

From advice and guidance in relation to property and planning, to commercial contracts, dispute resolution, and business succession planning, our multi-disciplinary team of experts are well equipped to offer a comprehensive service.

Through a combination of local and industry knowledge, and bespoke specialist legal insight, our team advises on the full range of services across the marine tourism sector.

Strategic commercial advice

Our team has extensive experience in advising ports and harbours.

The team advises on the full range of services across the sector with the benefit of specialist legal, industry and local knowledge. Our offices in Inverness, Elgin, Lerwick and Thurso, as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow, place us close to the major centres of activity in the sector around Scotland.

Scotland’s ports and harbours are gearing up to be the operation and maintenance bases for marine renewables, as well as supporting the oil & gas industry. We provide the full range of strategic commercial advice required by the modern port business. As focus begins to shift from conventional oil & gas exploration and production in the North Sea, and steps are made towards a “green transition”, the importance of decommissioning and Scotland’s decommissioning capabilities will become of greater significance. Ports and harbours are likely to play a substantial part in the success of the green transition in the coming years.

We have advised on everything from the purchase of a harbour to the major infrastructure projects transforming a harbour into a key operations and maintenance base. The team also has experience in working in the UK and overseas with both marine installations designers and contractors, and the car ferry operators that use such facilities. This has given us an all round perspective on the objectives, essentials and required processes for successful marine infrastructure.

Two new Scottish Green Freeports, one in Inverness and the Cromarty Firth, and one based around the Firth of Forth, will seek to draw upon the economic benefits sought under the UK Freeport regime whilst also supporting decarbonisation, a just transition to net zero by 2045, and the payment of a real living wage. Operators and businesses in the defined areas of the two Green Freeports are intended to be able to take advantage of associated funding opportunities and tax benefits.

We provide the full range of strategic commercial advice required by the modern port business.

Our team has extensive experience providing the corporate and commercial advice required by businesses, owners, operators and lenders in the sector and its supply chain. Our corporate team is also ranked as one of Scotland’s top dealmakers.

Key services include:

• Banking & finance
• Commercial contracts
• Commercialisation
• Competition law
• Construction & engineering
• Intellectual property, patent law & design rights
• MBOs
• Mergers & acquisitions
• Partnerships
• Property & leases
• Restructuring & insolvency
• State aid

Harper Macleod can advise on all legal aspects of owning and operating ships and others vessels, from design and build contracts to leasing and sales:

• Shipbuilding contracts
• Ferries – routes, ticketing, terminal operation
• Acquisitions and disposals
• Leasing
• Banking & finance
• Charters
• Maritime tourism