Pav is an experienced marine, offshore and energy lawyer who advises offshore contractors and service providers, shipowners, charterers, cargo interests and insurers in the offshore energy, shipping and international trade sectors, with a focus on the Middle East, African and Caspian markets.
He has particular expertise in energy and offshore matters and negotiates and advises on all the main forms of industry contracts including under the BIMCO, LOGIC and FIDIC forms, as well as assisting clients with bespoke contractual arrangements and solutions.
Pav also represents clients in litigation and arbitration matters in the offshore energy and marine sectors, in addition to marine casualties and investigation. He has extensive experience representing clients in arbitration under all the main arbitral rules including LMAA, ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, UNCITRAL and ADDCAC.
Pavlo Samothrakis has a deep industry knowledge. He has seen all sides of it.
The Legal 500 2024
Expertise
- Marine and international trade
- Energy, oil & gas
- Onshore and offshore construction
- Commercial litigation
- International arbitration
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
- Shipbuilding contracts
- Charterparties and contracts of affreightment
- Bills of lading
- Towage and wreck removal
- Vessel sale and purchase
- Arrest and seizure of assets
- Marine casualties
- Fuel supply agreements
- EPC and EPCI contracts
- Pre-bid agreements
- Bank guarantees
- Performance bonds
- Insurance
- Agreements for the carriage, handling and storage of LNG
- Joint ventures
- Cost-sharing agreements
Experience
Marine and Shipping
- Advised owners in a high-value offshore dispute under UNCITRAL arbitration rules in relation to termination of a marine services contract involving three offshore vessels for a significant project in the Caspian region.
- Advised on several related LMAA arbitrations, with claim amounts of around US$12m, relating to the termination of BIMCO supplytime charterparties, entered into for the deployment of vessels to offshore projects in West Africa.
- Acted for a major Qatari shipowner in a series of SIAC arbitrations relating to the termination of shipbuilding contracts, with claims of approximately $150m.
- Represented UAE-based charterers in LMAA arbitration relating to termination of BIMCO supplytime charterparty for use of an accommodation barge for a significant project in Angola, resulting in claims in excess of US$8m.
- Assisted Bahri on the purchase of 20 vessels (with a total agreed value of US$1.3bn), as part of the largest merger in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Assisted UAE-based UASC with the drafting of contracts and negotiations with the shipyard for the purchase of 17 newbuild container vessels worth around US$2bn. Six of the vessels were amongst the largest container ships in the world at the time (18,000 teu).
- Advised an offshore contractor in relation to significant disputes under a contract for subsea diving support services.
- Advised a Nigerian offshore vessel owner in relation to the purchase of 3 offshore support vessels, with a transaction value of over US$60m, and prepared all documents relating to the sale and purchase, including the MOA, corporate/delivery documents, shipmanagement agreements, charterparties and novation agreements.
- Assisting a bunker trader with recovery of sums owed under a bunker supply/set-off agreement, including successfully obtaining LMAA award and assisting with enforcement of award and attachment of opponents’ assets.
- Advised the owners of an offshore support vessel in relation to a complex charterparty dispute, with claims of approximately US$17m, concerning DP operations in Nigeria and issues relating to the redelivery and demobilisation of the vessel and arising associated costs/damages.
- Advised charterers under an NYPE 1946 time charterparty on disputes relating to unpaid hire and stevedore fees and assisted the clients in LMAA small claims arbitration.
Energy
- Advised on the landmark SEE MONSTER project, which saw a decommissioned North Sea gas platform transformed into one of the UK’s largest art installations in Weston-super-Mare.
- Advised Dubai-based charterers in relation to the drafting and negotiation of a 10-year LNG storage and regasification agreement and ancillary contracts, with a value of approximately US$450m, as part of the UAE’s inaugural LNG Import Terminal at Jebel Ali.
- Represented an offshore contractor in a dispute (and ensuing LMAA arbitration) regarding installation of an offshore gas pipeline off the coast of Nigeria, which resulted in the termination of that contract and claims of approximately US$15m.
- Reviewed and negotiated various LNG term sheets and master sales agreements.
- Negotiated gas up cool down agreements in relation to the services provided to owners of LNG carriers.
- Advised a shipyard in relation to disputes arising under a main contract and subcontract for the provision of sets of jackets and piles. This related to a major UK-based offshore windfarm project, with amounts in dispute in the region of US$250m.
- Assisted owners with the purchase of two newbuild jack up drilling units worth approximately US$185m each, constructed in the UAE, including drafting and assisting with negotiation of the construction contracts, the related performance and advance payment guarantees, and the ensuing amendments to the contracts.
International Arbitration
- Advised owners in a high-value offshore dispute under UNCITRAL arbitration rules in relation to the termination of a marine services contract involving three offshore vessels for a significant project in the Caspian region.
- Advised on several related LMAA arbitrations, with claim amounts of around US$12m, relating to the termination of BIMCO supplytime charterparties, entered into for the deployment of vessels to offshore projects in West Africa.
- Represented buyers in SIAC arbitration proceedings in relation to the termination of a series of high-value shipbuilding contracts for offshore support vessels, with claim amounts of approximately $130m.
- Represented an offshore contractor in a dispute (and ensuing LMAA arbitration) regarding installation of an offshore gas pipeline off the coast of Nigeria, which resulted in the termination of that contract and claims of approximately US$15m.
- Represented contractors in a major pipeline construction dispute, involving delays, variation orders and prolongation costs, under ICC arbitration rules.
Middle East
- Assisted UAE-based Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) with the negotiation of a long-term contract for the hire of a floating storage regasification unit, as part of the UAE’s inaugural LNG Import Terminal at Jebel Ali.
- Acted for a major Qatari shipowner in a series of SIAC arbitrations relating to the termination of shipbuilding contracts, with claims of approximately $150m.
- Represented UAE-based charterers in LMAA arbitration relating to the termination of BIMCO supplytime charterparty for use of an accommodation barge for a significant project in Angola, resulting in claims in excess of US$8.2m.
- Assisted Bahri on the purchase of 20 vessels (with a total agreed value of US$1.3bn), as part of the largest merger in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Assisted UAE-based UASC with the drafting contracts and negotiations with a shipyard for the purchase of 17 newbuild container vessels worth around US$2bn. Six of the vessels were amongst the largest container ships in the world at the time (18,000 teu).
Construction
- Advised an employer under a contract relating to construction works for onshore gas supply project. Advised on the employer’s rights against the contractor regarding delays to the project, including drafting and commenting on determination letters and other correspondence and advising on dispute resolution/settlement procedures under the contract.
- Advised on a contractor’s rights under a FIDIC 2006-based construction contract regarding an onshore construction project in the UAE. Advised on issues relating to delays to the project and extensions of time including drafting/commenting on letters to the engineer and assisting with the ensuing arbitration proceedings in Abu Dhabi.
- Advised a UAE-based developer regarding their rights under various FIDIC-based contracts relating to variations/extensions of time/delays and ensuing ICC arbitration proceedings.
- Advised an UAE-based shipyard on issues and claims (worth approximately US$50m) relating to delays related to the construction of a mobile offshore drilling unit and disputes with the original jacking equipment manufacturer.
- Advised a US-based contractor in relation to a pipeline construction dispute, involving claims for delay, liquidated damages and prolongation costs.
- Acted for both yards and buyers on various vessel and rig construction projects, including advising from the drafting/negotiation stage up to delivery, as well as representing both buyers and yards in contentious disputes arising from such contracts.
- Assisted a specialist surveyor with recovery of survey costs in relation to the repair of a luxury swimming pool, including the preparation of demand letters and a statutory demand, resulting in full recovery of the outstanding sums.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Shipping 2017-2026
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Energy: Oil & Gas 2026
”Pavlo Samothrakis is realistic, commercially minded and excellent at finding a solution to difficult problems.” Legal 500 2026
‘‘I have worked very regularly with partners Pav Samothrakis and Alexis Petrou, and they are both exceptional. Their response time is consistently very fast. Advice is always practical, clear and of very high quality. For me, as an in-house lawyer that handles most matters myself, this is exactly what I need.” Legal 500 2026
Recognised as “Next Generation Lawyer” in The Legal 500 2019
Career
Pavlo qualified as a solicitor in 2008. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2024, he worked at the following firms:
- BDM Law LLP
- Ince & Co
- Slaughter & May