DP World - Maritime Solutions , Legal Counsel , Dubai

Role Overview

Legal Counsel at DP World Maritime Solutions, based at the Corporate Office in Dubai, reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel. The role provides comprehensive legal support across all aspects of DP World Maritime Solutions' business activities, with a primary focus on transactional shipping matters.

Company Overview

DP World Maritime Solutions is part of the DP World Group and operates across multiple business divisions including Offshore Services, Ports Services, and MCV/Cargo divisions.

Role Purpose

To provide comprehensive legal support and assistance across all aspects of DP World Maritime Solutions' business activities, with a primary focus on transactional shipping matters, including charter parties, offshore and towage contracts, vessel acquisitions and disposals, financing, newbuilds, vessel registration, regulatory compliance, insurance, corporate governance, joint ventures, and commercial contract management.

Key Responsibilities

Transactional Shipping & Charter Party Work

• Provide legal support to Offshore, MCV/Cargo, and Port Services businesses on chartering activities, including cross-charters, bareboat charters, time and voyage charters, and heavy lift/project cargo contracts.
• Prepare, review and negotiate charter party contracts, vessel acquisition and disposal contracts, including related tax and insurance matters.
• Draft and revise Charter Party contracts for Offshore Services, Ports Services and MCV/Cargo divisions.
• Support chartering activities through tendering, Charter Party reviews, and chartering support for spot tug operations and business expansion initiatives.
• Contribute legal material to tenders and bid proposals, including drafting and reviewing NDAs, LOIs, and MOUs.

Vessel Ownership & Operations

• Advise the Group on all legal issues regarding the ownership and operation of DP World Maritime Solutions vessels and vessel-owning companies.
• Mitigate risk and ensure alignment with DP World Maritime Solutions Group policy and capacity.
• Draft and review shipbuilding contracts.

Financial & Funding Matters

• Review financial and loan agreements, including assisting on loan documentation.
• Ensure compliance with loan covenants.
• Identify tax implications for business activities and implement structures to address required tax implications.
• Prepare and review agreements between entities within the DP World Maritime Solutions Group incorporating applicable transfer pricing principles.

Strategic Agreements & Partnerships

• Assist in preparation and review of joint venture, collaboration and alliance agreements.
• Assist on general contracts, including IT, procurement and labour-related contracts.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Support administration of the legal framework and compliance requirements of the organization.
• Ensure continuity of business and appropriate company corporate structure.
• Draft and revise internal control routines and procedures.
• Coordinate and monitor litigation and other proceedings to which the Company is party or potentially party.
• Assist with maritime insurance claims with nominated insurance brokers and insurance underwriters when necessary.

Legal Governance & Standards

• Draft and revise Company standard agreements and other legal documents as required.
• Evaluate and determine whether external legal advice is required.
• Prepare briefing material for external providers of legal services.
• Advise relevant internal departments on external legal matters.

General Support

• Assist and support the Head of Legal on ad hoc work as necessary.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor Degree in Law.
• Master's degree in marine law or Contract law preferred.
• 5–7 years' experience in shipping law.
• Strong transactional shipping and contracts experience.
• Offshore Charter Party or towage concession drafting experience.
• Heavy lift/project cargo experience preferred.
• English/common-law qualification.
• Based in the Gulf region or willing to relocate to Dubai.
• Some disputes and compliance experience (sanctions, GDPR, anti-bribery) considered a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written, drafting and oral communication skills with fluency in English.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the tender process and experience in managing complex proposals.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• Transaction and project management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Detail-oriented, hands-on, driven and able to cope with demanding deadlines.
• Dependable and able to deliver contributions with little direction.
• Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and standards.
• Focus on quality and efficiency, with positive commitment to EHSQ.