Emergency Response: +44 20 7781 0130
Ben is a solicitor and Partner with expertise in maritime law and is a core member of the firm’s emergency response team.
Prior to joining Stann, Ben gained several years’ experience with a leading London shipping firm. Today, he’s a sought-after specialist with a strong admiralty background and a focus on shipping disputes.
Ben’s reputation with emergency response and crisis management continues to grow, thanks to a wealth of experience and calmness under pressure. He was a leading member of the team that successfully handled the aftermath of the grounding of the Ever Given on behalf of the vessel’s owners and insurers. He also handled the response to the high-profile collision between Solong and Stena Immaculate in the North Sea in 2025. In 2026, Ben successfully handled several major incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, including attacks on VLCCs and LNG carriers, as well as the seizure of vessels.
During his time at Stann, Ben has handled complex claims arising from collisions, groundings, fires, total losses and other major incidents and regularly deals with cases relating to salvage and general average following high-profile casualties. He also advises on the full range of disputes within the shipping, offshore and trade sectors, including claims arising under charterparties and contracts of carriage, and has extensive experience representing clients in high-value disputes in the Admiralty Court and Court of Appeal, as well as in complex arbitration proceedings under various institutional rules.
Ben is regularly consulted for dependable, insight-led advice on non-contentious matters – such as those relating to the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts and sale and purchase agreements. He has also worked closely with some of the world’s largest shipping companies in strategic consulting and project management roles, using his commercial instinct and industry knowledge to help clients achieve their business objectives.
At all times, Ben’s focus is on providing a world-class service to clients, no matter how challenging the circumstances may appear to be.
Ben's Career Highlights
Examples of major incidents handled by Ben:
The grounding of the Ever Given in the Suez Canal.
The collision between Solong and Stena Immaculate in the North Sea in 2025.
Attacks on and seizures of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz throughout 2026.
Examples of disputes handled by Ben:
Smit Salvage BV & Ors v Luster Maritime SA & Anr (The ‘Ever Given’) [2023] EWHC 697 (Admlty), ([2024] EWCA Civ 260)
MS “Solong” Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co KG v Samskip Multimodal BV ([2026] EWHC 1211)
Numerous collision liability proceedings in the Admiralty Court.
Complex arbitration proceedings arising from a wreck removal operation.
LMAA arbitration proceedings arising from a grounding in West Africa.
LMAA arbitration proceedings arising from a main engine breakdown and resulting cargo damage.
LOF arbitration proceedings arising from a major salvage following a collision.
Examples of investigations led by Ben:
Investigation into cause of total loss of an offshore vessel.
Investigation into cause of immobilisation of a Capesize bulk carrier.
Investigation into circumstances of a collision involving a chemical tanker.
Ben has advised on the following matters:
A major wreck removal project involving a container ship.
The sale and purchase of Panamax and Capesize vessels.
The drafting and negotiation of complex contracts.
Examples of Ben’s work in this area:
Emergency response planning for a leading ship management company.
A major commercial feasibility study for a shipowner.
An extensive risk assessment for a port and terminal operator.
