Biography:

David qualified as a solicitor in the 1990s. As a result of having previously worked as in-house counsel for one of the largest independent oil traders, he now specializes in petroleum shipping & trading claims. He also handles cargo recovery claims involving both petroleum & other commodities, as well as port and terminal disputes.

Besides acting for the cargo insurance market, his clients include refiners, oil traders & oil majors whom he assists with their sale contract & charter party disputes (principally demurrage & additional freight claims). He also provides guidance on the drafting of tanker charter party additional terms.

David is a regular speaker on matters such as laytime & demurrage, interim port & STS clauses, petroleum loss & sale contract terms.

Biography:

Phil is a director of Hub Software Engineering Limited www.hubse.com which has developed its Claims Management System (CMS), a revolutionary way of calculating and progressing claims until their conclusion. HubSE have also launched their Claims Hub Exchange which enables online delivery and negotiation of claims minimising the incidence of time bars and speeding up settlement of claims.

Phil is also a consultant to the oil and shipping industry specialising in laytime, demurrage, freight, deviation and shipping expenses incurred under the transportation of oil. A regular speaker at training seminars and industry conferences, Phil also provides in house training, advice and ad-hoc consultancy.

Phil offers advice to Owners and Charterers on best practice to ensure processes and teamwork lead to improved recoveries and effective reduction of claims backlog.

Prior to becoming a consultant/Marketing Director Phil was head of BP’s demurrage Team handling the negotiation and settlement of oil trading and charter party demurrage claims in support of BP’s European trading activities. His responsibilities there included freight, deviation and ancillary expenses incurred under the charter party. Whilst at BP he was a major contributor to the drafting of BPVOY4 and BP’s oil trading terms

Biography:

Richard has a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Oxford University. Prior to joining MTD, Richard gained industry experience working across a range of industry sectors, including time spent with an international commodities trader, in the claims and placing departments of broking and underwriting firms in the marine insurance industry and with the inspection and laboratory departments of a major independent inspection company.

Since joining MTD in 2005, Richard has been involved in the investigation of numerous disputes and claims for a wide range of clients involving a variety of cargoes, including petroleum and petrochemical products, edible and non-edible oils/fats, biofuels, speciality chemicals and bulk solid materials, regularly attending worldwide on vessels, in storage terminals, refineries, production plants and testing laboratories.

He has extensive experience in claims investigation and loss control issues for bulk liquid cargoes, with particular focus on sampling and testing, mitigation strategies and the application of forensic analytical methods for the investigation of quality complaints. Richard is also an experienced investigator of bunker fuel quality issues. Richard has acted as an Expert Witness in mediation and has prepared numerous reports for court, arbitration and mediation hearings in the UK and overseas.

Richard sits on a number of industry technical committees, including as the Secretary of the Energy Institute Hydrocarbon Management HMC 3 committee and as a member of the UK P&I Club’s Carefully to Carry Committee.

Richard is a frequent speaker at conferences and to clients on a variety of technical matters.

Biography:

Tony began his career in the Merchant Navy and is a Master Mariner, having sailed on tankers of all sizes over a period of 14 years. He moved to the USA to take a role with Caleb Brett (now Intertek), as a Marine Technical Supervisor and was subsequently promoted to the position of North East Regional Manager responsible for 9 offices.

Tony moved back to the UK in 1989 and joined BP moving through various roles in cargo assurance and trading operations including a number of management positions. In 2004 Tony was appointed Head of Operations for Integrated Supply and Trading. In this capacity he set the strategy and vision for the future whilst managing a large team in excess of 120 people, covering the operations functions of trading (crude and products), demurrage, inventory, cargo assurance, and shipping coordination.

As part of his wider responsibilities Tony was the Business Sponsor for the commercial graduate scheme, managing the demand, recruitment and development of quality talent. He was also the Marine Authority for the Company’s trading business. He is accredited in leadership development techniques and has developed and presented courses on a variety of subjects.

As a consultant Tony has provided advice and conducted reviews on the structure, organisation and performance of business teams on a global basis. He has developed leaders, engaged the workforce and motivated staff. Tony has both strong technical and operational experience and has presented many courses covering all aspects of operations to a wide range of companies as well as to the oil industry in general.

Biography:

Stewart specialises in shipping and international trade is a commercial barrister, focussing on commercial litigation and international arbitration.

Stewart has dealt extensively with shipping and commodity disputes in both the Commercial Court and in LMAA and ICC arbitrations. He regularly provides petroleum traders with advice on issues ranging from demurrage disputes to oil loss and contamination issues.

Relevant cases which he has been involved in and which have been reported include:

• Alianca Navegacao E Logistica Ltda v. Ameropa SA (Santa Isabella) [2019] EWHC 3152 (Comm) – a demurrage claim that was significantly reduced on the basis of the vessel being delayed at discharge port due to a fault of Owners.

• CSSA Chartering and Shipping Services SA v Mitsui OSK Limted Ltd “The Pacific Voyager” [2018] EWCA Civ 2413 - the leading modern case on the nature of ship owners’ obligation to commence their approach voyage under a voyage charterparty.

• SHV Gas Supply & Trading SAS v. Naftomar Shipping & Trading Co Ltd (The “AZUR GAS”) [2006] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 163, - cancellation of contract for sale of butane and the effect that a “laycan” has in a CIF contract