CV of Alan Curran

Summary

  • Over two decades of experience in shipping, commodities and international transport and logistics.
  • Strong focus on dispute resolution and risk mitigation and management
  • Commercial and operations focussed
  • Global and cross-border experience.

Qualifications

  • Solicitor Advocate (England & Wales) (practising 2003 to present)
  • Accredited Mediator

Expertise

  • Shipping, transport and logistics
    • Chartering (all types)
    • Contracts of Affreightment
    • Bills of Lading and contracts of carriage
    • Laytime and demurrage
    • Performance claims
    • Joint Ventures and pooling agreements
    • Casualty and damage to hull
    • General Average and particular average
  • Dispute resolution
    • Court action in the UK and major shipping jurisdictions worldwide including worldwide enforcement action
    • Arbitration, in particular in London and Singapore
    • Mediation
  • Insurance
    • P&I and FDD
    • Hull and Machinery
    • War risks including Kidnap and Ransom and special risks
    • Loss of hire
    • Cyber risks
  • Sanctions and compliance
    • International sanctions regimes, primarily UK, EU and USA affecting the shipping, transport and logistics sectors
    • AML and anti-bribery compliance
  • Commercial contracts
    • Negotiation, risk mitigation and execution
  • Trade finance
    • Letters of credit
    • FFAs
  • Corporate governance
    • Shareholder agreements
    • Corporate structures
    • Employee agreements

Career

2025 – present: Preston Turnbull LLP, Consultant

2025 – present: FWFS Consulting, Owner

  • Consultancy within shipping, transport, logistics, insurance and related sectors
  • Fractional General Counsel
  • Arbitrator – accepting appointments subject to LMAA, LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL, NOMA or SIAC rules and ad hoc
  • Mediator

2020 – 2025: Western Bulk, General Counsel

  • Leading teams internationally to handle marine claims and insurance recovery providing complex contractual analysis and dispute resolution advice.
  • Advisor to board and senior management on marine claims, insurance and sanctions risks with a focus on EU compliance.
  • Advising on sanctions risks and compliance.
  • Insurance activities advising on risk, coverage, terms and recovery in close cooperation with brokers and insurers.
  • Deep understanding of marine risks and insurance.
  • Leading process improvement to achieve efficiency in claims handling and recoveries.
  • IPO to Euronext Growth.
  • Pro-active business partner promoting the legal team to be involved at the earliest opportunity with a view to dispute avoidance and risk mitigation.

2014 – 2020: A.P.Moller-Maersk, Head of Maritime Litigation & Casualty Management

  • Maritime litigation lead including complex contractual disputes and international law considerations.
  • Casualty lead including advising on collision, grounding, DTH, salvage, general average and particular average.
  • Responsible for remote teams with a total of 20 members.
  • Broad responsibility for managing and supervising marine legal and insurance matters.
  • Advisor to stakeholders across the business at all levels (commercial/sales/finance/operations) for large impact and strategic matters.
  • Complex and high-value contract negotiation.

2013 – 2014: SBM Offshore, Legal Counsel

  • Disputes concerning the operation of FPSOs.
  • Vessel acquisition and decommissioning.
  • Improving documentation, guidance and processes.

2010 – 2013: Morgan Stanley, Vice President

  • Responsible for physical commodity trading operations in EMEA.
  • Lead advisor on global shipping operations.
  • Frontline responsibility for oil trading and freight (wet and dry).
  • Deal-driven advice.
  • Aligning legal service with company objectives and strategy.
  • Lead advisor on marine and physical commodities disputes.
  • Advising on marine risks and insurance coverage.
  • Commodity financing arrangements and trade documentation.
  • Advisor on strategic projects and joint ventures.

2007 – 2010: Reed Smith LLP, Senior Associate

  • Focus on contentious charter party and cargo/bill of lading claims.
  • DTH.
  • Broad client base of vessel owners, operators, traders P&I and defence clubs and marine insurers.
  • Advice on trade finance, marine asset finance, sale & purchase and joint venture operating companies.

2004 – 2007: Elborne Mitchell, Solicitor

  • Advising on marine litigation, finance, insurance terms, coverage and disputes.
  • Shipping, trade and insurance disputes.

2001– 2004: Hill Taylor Dickinson (now Hill Dickinson LLP), Solicitor/Trainee Solicitor

  •  Advised on marine and commodities litigation and marine insurance to international clients.
  • Carriage of goods, contracts of affreightment, charter parties, insurance.
  • Litigation, mediation and arbitration.