Head of Legal – Shipping & Maritime Operations (Copenhagen)

Head of Legal – Shipping & Maritime Operations

A.P. Møller - Mærsk, the world's largest container shipping and logistics company, headquartered in its iconic building on Esplanaden in Copenhagen overlooking the harbour, is seeking a Head of Legal for its Shipping and Maritime Operations division.

This is an executive-level role leading a team of in-house lawyers handling maritime disputes, charter party negotiations, cargo claims, regulatory compliance, and vessel transactions across Maersk's global fleet of 700+ vessels.

What You Will Do

• Lead the maritime legal team advising on contracts governed by the Nordic Maritime Code (Søloven) and international maritime conventions
• Manage charter party disputes, cargo claims, and vessel arrest proceedings globally
• Oversee vessel sale and purchase transactions and fleet management legal support
• Advise on IMO decarbonization mandates and EU ETS compliance for shipping
• Coordinate with P&I clubs and external counsel on complex maritime litigation
• Set strategic direction for maritime legal risk management across the group

• Lead and develop the maritime legal team globally
• Set strategic direction for maritime legal risk and compliance
• Advise the executive leadership team on maritime legal matters
• Manage key external counsel relationships and disputes
• Drive IMO and EU maritime regulatory compliance strategy

• Danish or international legal qualification; advokat status preferred
• 12-18 years of experience in maritime law, shipping, or logistics
• Extensive knowledge of the Søloven, BIMCO standard contracts, Hague-Visby Rules, and international maritime conventions
• Fluent in English; Danish is preferred
• Experience managing legal teams in a global corporate environment
• Maritime arbitration experience (LMAA, SMA, Copenhagen) required