HFW Singapore LLP‘s shipping practice is formed of a strong bench of experienced practitioners who cover the full scope of matters. The team regularly instructs government bodies, P&I clubs, and major shipowners in both wet and dry disputes. It also ably handles ship financing and transaction matters. Asset finance specialist John Forrester who has over 30 years’ experience therein, heads up the finance side of the practice, with support from Siri Wennevik who has developing capabilities in ship and offshore financing matters. Toby Stephens leads the firm’s admiralty and global crisis management team, namely handling marine insurance matters, and advising on war and cyber-related shipping cases. Chris Metcalf is also a name to note in dry shipping and insurance, wherein he often acts in matters involving charter parties, bills of lading, and sanctions.

The shipping practice at Hill Dickinson LLP is a ‘one-stop shop’ for offshore casualty, disputes, and arbitration work. The team has extensive experience acting for both sides and is well-placed to advise on wet and dry matters including wreck removal, ship management, P&I work, charterparty disputes, and admiralty work for its array of high-profile clients, the portfolio of which includes P&I clubs, shipping companies, traders, and insurers. Recently, the team has advised on export and sanction-related issues including those arising from the Ukraine war. Team lead Andrew Lee brings to bear his substantial experience in disputes and arbitrations; Ian Maclean has extensive experience across a broad range of wet disputes including pollution incidents, whilst Matthew Dow specialises in complex arbitrations. Shanna Ghose is noteworthy for her work in commodities and dry shipping. The addition of Gerald Yee from RPC Premier Law in September 2023 has further strengthened the team.

Stephenson Harwood LLP‘s large and well-rounded practice is well-equipped to advise across the gamut of shipping and offshore matters. The team advises an array of major banks and shipping companies in wet, dry, contentious and non-contentious transactions, major financings, and disputes. It also has experience assisting on cases involving sustainability and ESG-linked loans. Gregg Johnston heads the practice and has particular expertise in distressed debt scenarios. Huay Yee Kwan is prominent for her work in PRC leasing in emerging markets. Michelle Yong brings charterparty law and arbitration-related specialisms to the team, whilst Gregory Xu provides expertise in banking and finance. Pedram Norton and May 2023-promoted partner Jeffrey Tanner are noteworthy for their offshore work. Justin Gan is also a noted member.

Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore’s shipping team has strong capabilities, particularly in maritime disputes. It is especially strong in the commodities and trading space wherein it acts for marine insurance clients, traders, shipping companies, and banks. The team’s workload has recently predominantly featured sanctions work, construction disputes, corporate investigations, and crisis management matters. It also advises on the non-contentious. Co-heads are Ik Wei Chong, who works from the firm’s Singapore and Shanghai offices; trade and commodities expert Leon Alexander; and insurance litigation expert Andrew Bicknell who works from the firm's London office. Ton van den Bosch arrived from Addleshaw Goddard in November 2022.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s shipping practice is well-known for its multi-national ship financing and transactional work in maritime and offshore contexts. Alongside its handling M&As, JOLCOs, sales and leasebacks, regulatory work, and high-value insolvency and restructurings, the team advises on a plethora of LNG and FPSO matters. It has particular capabilities advising on sustainable, and Islamic financing-related work. Its insolvency disputes and commercial contracts capabilities are bolstered by the team’s Formal Law Alliance with Ascendant Legal LLC. Ben Rose leads the offering, which includes such key practitioners as Sue Ann Gan and the 'diligent and hardworking' Sophie Polisena.

Reed Smith LLP's practice is regularly involved in the region’s shipping disputes and frequently advises its clients on the full spectrum of both wet and dry matters. Handling contentious matters which include such complex aspects as fires, collisions, cargo claims, and charterparty disputes are core areas of recent work. The team is headed by 'superb performer' Peter Glover, who specialises in commercial litigation work; Glover is qualified to practice in Australia, the UK, and Hong Kong and is, as such, well-placed to advise on multi-jurisdictional disputes. The firm has bolstered capabilities through its Formal Law Alliance with local Singaporean firm Resource Law LLC.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ shipping group, established in 2019, is active across both wet and dry matters. The well-rounded team often acts for notable P&I clubs, shipping companies, lenders, insurers, and commodity traders throughout the shipping, ports and terminals, offshore vessels, and trading spaces. On the disputes side, the team has seen a number of matters involving sanctions and regulatory work, collisions and damages, and bills of lading disputes. The team is headed co-headed by Barry Stimpson, shipping and international disputes-focused Chris Swart, and finance and transaction focused practitioners Jessica Kenworthy and Kate Sherrard. Joel Cockerell is also a key name in wet disputes.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s group has a particular focus on transactional, financing, litigious and corporate shipping matters. The team acts on the full spectrum of financings, including JOLCO, asset finance, and sustainability backed loan-related matters. Its transactional work includes restructurings and acquisitions. The team’s client base consists of several major financial institutions, banks, and shipping companies. Hong Kong-based maritime finance specialist Madeline Leong, Bangkok-based Steven Burkill and international disputes expert Sumeet Malhotra all oversee the practice. Andrew Nimmo is experienced in offshore oil and gas matters, and Lizzie Roe is worthy of note also.

Wikborg Rein continues to field a ‘very professional’ and well-rounded shipping team which advises clients in both transactional and financing matters, namely in complex arbitrations and disputes contexts. ‘Knowledgeable and responsive’ team head Ina Lutchmiah is particularly prominent for her involvement in maritime and offshore transactions, with work highlights including LNG and FSPOs alongside sales and leases, purchases, due diligence, and financings. Robert Joiner brings considerable expertise on the disputes front, with particular experience in charterparty, COA, and bills of lading cases therein.

Kennedys Legal Solutions handles the range of shipping disputes including contractual and lading disagreements alongside charterparty, loss of cargo, and arbitration matters. The practice benefits from the firm’s Joint Law Venture with Legal Solutions LLC. Co-heads are Karnan Thirupathy, an experienced international and multi-jurisdictional disputes lawyer, and Nick Francis, who is notable for his work in cross-border and dry side shipping disputes. Charlene Sim was promoted to legal director in September 2022.

The team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP advises on disputes in marine, shipping, energy, and offshore contexts. The team has a notable strength in casualty work and particular experience in international arbitration matters. Advising a number of P&I clubs alongside shipping companies, the team has work on several cases involving collisions, groundings, and fires. It is led by the experienced litigator Johan Wong and John Zadkovich. Associate Rachel Loke is another integral team member.

RPC Premier Law advises on a number of complex shipping mandates across both wet and dry shipping law throughout the region. Assisting, among others, several P&Is and insurers, the firm is known for its disputes work involving P&I, FD&D, hull and cargo issues. The firm also has experience across a host of casualty response, cargo recovery, and investigatory matters. Iain Anderson heads the team and is experienced in the marine and offshore insurance markets. Gerald Yee departed to Hill Dickinson LLP in May 2023.