Maritime Legal Counsel International Projects

At Van Oord, we create marine and maritime solutions for a better world. From offshore wind farms to complex maritime infrastructure, our projects and services take place where engineering, innovation and water meet. To strengthen our legal team, we are looking for a (Senior) Legal Counsel International Projects (within our business unit Offshore Energy) who has and will have focus on the maritime side of our business.

THE POSITION

In this (senior) advisory role, you will provide specialist legal support on all maritime and offshore aspects of our offshore energy activities. You will work at the heart of complex offshore projects and services provided, supporting them from development and tender stage through execution and operations and beyond.

YOUR IMPACT

As Senior Legal Counsel, you are the trusted adviser to our maritime operations, project, procurement and logistical teams. You combine deep maritime law expertise with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset. You understand offshore risk, vessel operations, the ‘economy’ of vessel ownership and relevant contractual interfaces — and you translate that knowledge into clear, commercially sound advice.

Your responsibilities

• You are engaged in the legal support across a broad range of maritime and offshore contracts. This includes time-, voyage- and bareboat charterparties, BIMCO standard forms and clauses, offshore support (maintenance, repair) agreements and transport & installation contracts.
• You draft, review and negotiate agreements relating to offshore construction, transportation, installation and maritime services, and advise on risk allocation concerning vessel operations and ownership, weather exposure, delays and complex maritime operations.
• You advise on a wide spectrum of national and international maritime law matters, including various IMO conventions relative to cabotage, safety, liability, work/rest hours and other labour conditions.
• You provide guidance, in close cooperation with the insurance department, on marine insurance matters such as P&I, hull and machinery (H&M) and offshore project insurances.
• You also provide guidance on offshore safety and environmental regulatory frameworks applicable to marine operations, in the context of construction, transport and installation and maintenance and repair projects.
• In addition, you are deeply involved in marine-related claims and disputes, including charterparty disputes, off-hire, damage and delay claims.

ABOUT YOU

• You are a qualified lawyer in the UK, any EU member state, Norwegian or other common law jurisdiction, preferably with a master in maritime law and with typically 8–15 years or more post-qualification experience, at least half of which in the maritime or offshore field, ideally gained within offshore energy, shipping, marine construction or insurance.
• You have proven experience with charterparties, marine services contracts and offshore vessel operations.
• You combine deep technical knowledge of maritime and offshore law with strong commercial awareness.
• You are decisive, calm and effective in high-risk, time-critical situations, and you excel in drafting, negotiating and stakeholder coordination.
• A seagoing, marine engineering background or upbringing would further strengthen your profile.

WE OFFER

• Working at Van Oord means contributing to challenging international projects and being part of an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture.
• We offer a remuneration package including salary, variable ‘bonus’ and 32 holidays, that matches your responsibilities and experience.
• You will benefit from an attractive pension scheme.
• We invest in your development through extensive learning opportunities.
• You can also join various communities, such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women and the Van Oord staff association, and take part in events and sports activities including skiing, sailing weekends, cycling and motorcycling.

'Show what you can do and where your ambition lies, and you’ll get every opportunity to act on it. That’s something I’m proud of!'

Renske Category Manager Engineering