In the year 1918 a small group of British shipowners whose vessels plied the seas between Great Britain and the River Plate area, decided to establish agencies at Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Rosario in order to give a better service to their vessels. Thus, on 12th September of that year, Chadwick Weir Navegación Ltda. was founded in Montevideo and commenced operations. The premises hired for this purpose at 302 Cerrito St., in the heart of the shipping quarter, were shortly afterwards purchased by the firm.
During nearly four decades Chadwick Weir Navegación Ltda. serviced with honesty and efficiency British and other flagged vessels which regularly called at the port of Montevideo, so in early 1959 and as a result of the reputation acquired in maritime circles, the Firm was appointed as Correspondent for Uruguay by most of the British P&I Clubs. Some years later a similar appointment was received from all Scandinavian Marine Insurance companies and P&I Clubs.
These representations have, consequently, been held by Chadwick Weir for a period of almost 60 years.
In February 1973, the Montevideo Agency was purchased by a group of Uruguayan shipowners.
The Agency was turned into a local corporation and continued with the same experienced personnel to service shipowners and their P&I Clubs.
In addition to carrying on with the activities described above, the firm set up a Control department, which carried out quality controls of vehicles and cargo (including preloading surveys of fruit, meat and fish).
In 1999, a strategic course of action was taken to mainly focus the activities in the assistance of the P&I Clubs being represented and it was decided not to continue with the activities as Agents. A similar decision was taken in 2002 regarding cargo surveying and, then, at present, Chadwick Weir is exclusively dedicated to serving the shipping industry as correspondents for all P&I Clubs of the International Group as well as acting for other providers of marine liability insurance.
Nowadays, Chadwick Weir is located at Montevideo, which is the main port in Uruguay, in the heart of the shipping quarter.
P&I matters arising in other ports of the country are also attended either directly or appointing experts in each place on a case to case basis.
CHADWICK WEIR also holds a representation office in Asunción, for dealing with the P&I matters at all the Paraguayan ports.
As part of CHADWICK WEIR’s policy, not only lawyers but also surveyors and other experts are external professionals to the firm, in order to ensure the independence of their opinion and advice, as well as to keep the liberty of selecting any appointment to the nature of each matter.
A service of emergency response around the clock is available, as well as analysis and advise on claims of every nature falling on P&I and H&M scope, including negotiation and settlement with third parties as required.
With a view of capitalizing the experience, contacts and knowledge of the different local markets for the benefit of the P&I Clubs and their Members, CHADWICK WEIR together with other long-established correspondents of the region founded SAPIC (South American Protection and Indemnity Correspondents). CHADWICK WEIR maintains at present time the post of SAPIC’s Chairman.