Senior Legal Counsel – Shipping & Maritime

About the role

The company is a leading international LNG shipping firm seeking an experienced legal counsel to join its Qatar team. This senior position offers a broad in‑house role covering shipping, commercial, corporate and transactional matters.

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on shipping, commercial and corporate issues, including drafting and negotiating LNG/LPG charterparties and vessel management agreements.
• Support vessel acquisitions, newbuilding projects, ship registrations, vessel deliveries and ship‑building, EPC and offshore construction contracts.
• Assist with ship financing, refinancing, joint ventures and new business opportunities, and manage charterparty disputes, commercial claims and litigation.
• Offer legal support to subsidiaries and joint‑venture companies on corporate governance, compliance and regulatory matters.

Required profile

• 10+ years of qualified legal experience with a strong background in shipping and maritime law.
• Experience in charterparty drafting, negotiation and interpretation, preferably with exposure to LNG/LPG shipping, shipbuilding or ship finance.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to advise internal stakeholders across business functions.
• Previous in‑house experience within a shipowner, operator or energy company is advantageous, though private‑practice candidates are also considered.

Required skills

• Charterparty drafting and negotiation
• LNG/LPG shipping legal expertise
• Shipbuilding and EPC contract knowledge
• Ship financing and refinancing