HFW has a large team of long-term Hong Kong shipping specialists. It is highly rated for ship finance and shipping disputes, including both wet and dry shipping matters, being one of the most active firms in the Hong Kong High Court and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. The firm represents the full spectrum of those involved in the industry, from shipowners and charterers to marine insurance underwriters and governments. Christopher Chan leads the practice and is noted for his capabilities in wet and dry matters for a plethora of stakeholders, including P&I clubs, charterers, and owners. Patrick Yeung is another senior practitioner in disputes and transactional shipping-related matters, along with Henry Fung, who is qualified as a China Appointed Attesting Officer. George Lamplough is well-known for his kidnap for ransom and piracy work, while Patrick Cheung focuses on cross-border asset finance and corporate transactions.

Ince & Co has a ‘long-established reputation as an all-rounder admiralty law firm’, demonstrating prowess in both wet and dry shipping cases, as well as in a wide range of matters, such as assisting banks and corporates with ship finance and addressing novel issues like green shipping initiatives. The team is led by Rosita Lau, a veteran shipping lawyer frequently representing clients in cross-border commercial disputes in high courts. This adept team has the valuable support of a robust lineup of partners, notably including Max Cross, lauded for his ‘very experienced advice’ in handling complex arbitrations and related matters. Former joint practice head David Beaves departed to Hill Dickinson Hong Kong in October 2023.

Clyde & Co LLP’s shipping team is co-led by Matthew Lam, who has over 20 years’ experience in handling litigation and arbitration cases in Hong Kong and across the wider APAC region, and head of the banking and finance group Fei Kwok. Many of the team’s matters are high-value and often cross-border in nature, and it frequently advises on collision and salvage cases, pollution liabilities, and insurance disputes, as well as on all types of asset finance, including secured lending, leasing and export credit financing. The team is supported by the dispute resolution expertise of Christopher Jobson, who often acts for energy companies, insurance and financial institutions, and transport organisations. Associate Rita Hung specialises in shipping litigation and has experience in enforcing foreign judgments in Hong Kong, while Michael Ng, who is dual-qualified in Hong Kong and New Zealand, focuses on sale of goods, carriage of goods by sea, and charterparty claims.

While it is best known for its shipping litigation expertise, CMS also has a strong core of senior shipping specialists who frequently advise on restructuring and insolvency-related disputes, shareholder and director disputes, and shipping finance matters. Andrew Horton co-leads the team with an outstanding record in Asia Pacific shipping work, particularly in international trade disputes matters. Co-head Steven Wise is experienced in advising on a full range of contractual and tortious disputes, especially those regarding charterparties, bills of lading, sale and purchase contracts, and insurance policies. The team expanded its shipping litigation and arbitration credentials with the hire of Fontaine Lai as an associate from the Swedish Club, and in October 2023 it welcomed Richard Oakley, a master mariner who joined from Ince & Co.

Hill Dickinson Hong Kong‘s shipping group is praised by a number of clients for its capabilities in both contentious and non-contentious matters, frequently representing owners, charterers, banks, and insurers on a range of shipping issues. Practice chair Damien Laracy is a highly experienced litigator and arbitrator who specialises in both commercial and maritime matters. Antony Cowie is a prolific advisor who brings over 25 years of experience to bear on shipping, corporate, and financing transactions. Yvette Yu‘s extensive experience makes her a key contact for clients in the telecoms sector, while Jim James‘s expertise is concentrated in shipping arbitration and litigation, as well as shipping finance and leasing. The team welcomed the highly regarded asset finance and corporate practitioner David Beaves who joined from Ince & Co in October 2023.

The shipping practice at Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP leverages the bench strength of its worldwide network and offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing to provide expert guidance to high-profile clients operating in the shipping industry, covering both wet and dry aspects. Co-led by renowned shipping disputes specialist Lianjun Li and the experienced Peter Lee, who has background in representing shipowners, builders, and banks, the group excels in various areas, including litigation, shipping-related corporate finance, and M&A work. The team receives additional support from Min Li, an authority in China-related disputes, Tat Pan, a specialist in general banking and ship financing, Donald Sham, a member of the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group; and Zeldar Wang, who joined the firm from Ince & Co in September 2022.

Haiwen & Partners specialises in the resolution of maritime and commodities disputes, often handling cross-border cases related to various aspects of contentious wet and dry shipping matters. The firm also provides guidance to significant insurers in the Hong Kong market, addressing concerns like data privacy, policy coverage, and recovery claims. Heading the team is Edward Liu, who maintains strong working relationships with Chinese and international shipping companies, frequently representing them in arbitration and commercial mandates.