Senior Legal Counsel - Oil Tanker Shipping

Tura Executive; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading oil tanker shipping firm in Dubai as a Senior Legal Counsel, where you'll oversee legal affairs and support commercial operations. This strategic role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with international maritime law, and advising senior management on regulatory developments and risk. With a focus on oil tanker operations and a collaborative approach with cross-functional teams, you'll play a key role in a high-growth, globally active shipping firm. If you have a strong legal background and are looking for an exciting opportunity to influence board-level decisions, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Tax-free salary

Competitive benefits

Exposure to board-level decisions

Qualifications

• 10+ years of legal experience in shipping or maritime roles.
• Common law qualified, preferably in England & Wales.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate shipping contracts and agreements.
• Advise on regulatory compliance and risk management.

Skills

Common law qualification

Maritime law expertise

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Dispute resolution

Fluency in English

Commercial acumen

Education

Law degree (England & Wales)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel - Maritime, Shipping.

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Oil Tanker Shipping

Reporting to: General Counsel / CEO

Overview:

A leading oil tanker shipping firm based in Dubai is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to lead and manage legal affairs across the business. This role is instrumental in supporting commercial operations, corporate governance, chartering contracts, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will possess strong English law qualifications and a minimum of 10 years of post-qualified experience within the shipping, energy, or commodities sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts including time/voyage charters, shipbuilding agreements, pooling arrangements, and sale & purchase agreements.
• Provide legal support on all aspects of shipping operations, fleet management, and commercial transactions.
• Advise senior management on risk, regulatory developments, sanctions compliance, and contractual disputes.
• Lead on any litigation, arbitration, or claims matters, working with external counsel where necessary.
• Ensure compliance with international maritime law, anti-bribery regulations, and sanctions regimes (OFAC, EU, UN).
• Support M&A activity, joint ventures, and financing transactions as required.
• Maintain up-to-date corporate governance documents and liaise with authorities and regulators where necessary.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including operations, finance, and chartering on day-to-day legal matters.

Requirements:

• Common law qualified lawyer, preferably England & Wales qualified.
• Minimum 10+ years of post-qualified legal experience, with at least 5 years in-house in a shipping or maritime-related role.
• Deep understanding of oil tanker operations, maritime contracts, and international trade law.
• Prior experience handling disputes, sanctions, and compliance within a global shipping or commodities environment.
• Excellent communication skills, commercial acumen, and a proactive problem-solving mindset.
• Fluency in English; Arabic or additional language skills are a plus.

Offer:

• Competitive tax-free salary and benefits.
• Opportunity to join a high-growth, globally active shipping firm.
• Strategic legal role with exposure to board-level decision-making.