Next Generation Partners

Shipping in Malaysia

Christopher & Lee Ong

Jainil Bhandari who works from the firm’s the Malaysia and Singapore offices, is at the helm of Christopher & Lee Ong’s shipping practice, which is noted for its ‘in-depth knowledge of the field’. The team holds impressive capabilities handling both wet and dry shipping work for key domestic and international clients. Examples of the team’s workload include advising on the high-value sale and purchase of ships and yachts; marine insurance policies; cross-border imports and exports; and the disposal of cargo. In addition to the team’s advisory work, it is also experienced in representing its clients in contentious matters, such as complex ship-arrest proceedings. Standout practitioner in the team Clive Navin Selvapandian is described as having an ‘unwavering commitment to putting clients first’; and is experienced handling the range of shipping cases.

Practice head(s):

Jainil Bhandari


Other key lawyers:

Clive Navin Selvapandian; Por Chuei Ying


Testimonials

‘Clive Navin Selvapandian is professional, always maintains his composure and is accommodating.’

‘Clive Navin Selvapandian possesses exceptional expertise in international trade, shipping, and maritime law. Despite his seniority, Clive maintains a lean practice, making him easily accessible.’

‘A fast thinker, Clive Navin Selvapandian can swiftly break down complex questions into concise and practical commercial solutions. His commercial, savvy nature makes collaborating with him a seamless and straightforward experience. They are truly ‘lawyers who know Asia’ which sets it apart from other firms in the field.’

‘I have the privilege of working directly with Clive Navin Selvapandian, and I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with his ability to provide comprehensive solutions. One aspect of Clive’s approach that I particularly admire is his unwavering commitment to putting clients first with practical, tailored advice.’

‘The team at Christopher & Lee Ong is proactive and able to provide effective advice and solutions to the issues at hand, with their in-depth knowledge of the field.’

‘Clive Navin Selvapandian has helped us in finding practical legal solutions and providing effective legal advice in shipping matters. Clive is willing to accommodate to our inquiries promptly and efficiently with his in-depth knowledge in the field.’

‘Clive Navin Selvapandian makes sure that his client is satisfied with his work and can rely on him whenever.’

‘Clive Navin Selvapandian has always been very helpful with his advice.’ 

Key clients

Marine & General Berhad


Rajah and Tann Singapore LLP


WK Webster & Co. Ltd.


Bintang Samudera Sdn. Bhd.


Helmsman LLC Singapore


Spica Services (M) Sdn. Bhd.


Helios Petroleum Sdn. Bhd.


KPMG Deal Advisory Sdn Bhd


Messrs Hughes Krupica


Work highlights


  • Advised Messrs Hughes Krupica and drew up a settlement agreement relating to the disputes in relation to the sale and purchase of a Langkawi-registered yacht.
  • Represented Spica (and the Korean P &I Club) in ship-arrest proceedings against the vessel ‘Thassos Warrior’.
  • Acted for Bintang Samudera Sdn Bhd in registering an arbitration award (arising from a breach of charterparty) issued by the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration.

Shearn Delamore & Co

Shearn Delamore & Co’s shipping offering has noteworthy expertise handling the gamut of complex matters, from advising on cross-jurisdictional international trade, marine insurance, sale and purchase agreements and shipbuilding matters, to handling the array of related mediation and arbitration cases. Rajasingam Gothandapani heads up the practice and has notable experience advising national and international maritime clients on the range of transactional and contentious matters. The claims the team handles are frequently multi-party, high-stakes, high-profile and of significant value. An example of its workload is its supporting The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in its initiating a lawsuit against the owners of the ‘MT Sea Coral’ regarding the alleged misdelivery of cargo to unauthorised third parties. Nik Azila Shuhada Binti Nik Abdullah, promoted to partnership in January 2023, brings to bear her litigation expertise across the scope of the team’s caseload.

Practice head(s):

Rajasingam Gothandapani


Other key lawyers:

Nik Azila Shuhada Binti Nik Abdullah


Key clients

International Transport Workers’ Federation


The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited


of Singapore


New Orient Marine Pte Ltd


Cooperative Rabobank U.A. (Singapore Branch)


Star Cruise HK Limited


Maersk Malaysia Sdn Bhd


Messrs. Klein Rechtsanwälte AG, Switzerland


Work highlights


  • Advising the International Transport Workers’ Federation who sought assistance for the 213 crew members aboard the Panama-flagged vessel Oriental Dragon claiming to have been abandoned by the vessel’s owners and not receiving their wages.
  • Advising on an alleged misdelivery of a cargo of LSFO to unauthorized third parties who did not present the relevant bills of lading with claims amounting to $34.8m.
  • Representing The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited’s Singapore branch in the suing of ‘Ocean Winner’, a boat in the port of Singapore, for the alleged misdelivery of GASOIL 10PPM to unauthorised third parties.

Arun Kasi & Co

Arun Kasi & Co’s shipping offering is led by admiralty disputes expert and ‘truly exceptional legal professional’ Arun Kasi. The team is experienced in handling the full range of maritime, shipping and international trade matters for its roster of well-known Malaysian companies, handling disputes regarding ship arrests on account of unpaid accounts, quarantine of vessels which occurred in the complex Covid-19 era and cargo damage; and vessel collisions. Senior associate Nicole Lee Hui Ching is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Arun Kasi


Other key lawyers:

Nicole Lee Hui Chin


Testimonials

‘Arun Kasi is a truly exceptional legal professional. He is able to quickly understand our position and put together legal submissions in a very short period of time. He also has the unique skill of being able to explain complex legal concepts in a manner that is simple to understand.’

‘They are astute in their practical advice, clear analysis of complex issues and strategies. They understand the industry and the technicalities. They are extremely responsive, friendly and approachable.’

‘Arun Kasi has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industry and technicalities involved in maritime cases. He is astute on maritime law and has an outstanding ability to pragmatically deal with complex maritime issues.’

Rahmat Lim & Partners

Praised as an ‘excellent lawyer’, maritime and aviation specialist Soh Yin Chuin, who advises on banking and asset finance transactions arising out of the maritime and offshore sectors, co-leads the team at Rahmat Lim & Partners, with support of firm’s managing partner Azman bin Othman Luk. The team is well-equipped to advise financial institutions on such matters as vessel building, reflagging, and financings. The ‘always accurate’ Florence Yong, who specialises in the banking and finance aspects of shipping, was promoted to partnership in January 2023 and is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Soh Yin Chuin; Azman bin Othman Luk


Other key lawyers:

Florence Yong


Testimonials

‘A great team, delivering first-class advice.’

‘Soh Yin Chuin is an excellent lawyer.’

‘They are responsive and professional.’

‘Florence Yong gives us very good advice, and we feel it benefits us in transition of vessels cases, in particular.’

‘Good knowledge of the shipping industry and good contact with local authorities to arrange things smoothly.’

‘Florence Yong is always accurate and quick with her replies in order to ensure a smooth proceeding of the case at hand.’

Shaikh David & Co.

Noted for its formal association with Clyde & Co, the shipping practice at Shaikh David & Co. is experienced in advising clients on a plethora of shipping matters and has a particular focus on insurance and reinsurance-related cases, which are frequently cross-border in nature and of high value. Such matters include advising in situations whereby cargo or vessels have been damaged or destroyed. Additionally, the practice advises on sale and purchases and shipbuilding contracts. James P David, who specialises in insurance, shipping, international trade and offshore energy mandates, leads the team and senior associate Siew Yin Foo is another name to note.

Practice head(s):

James P David


Other key lawyers:

Siew Yin Foo


Skrine

The shipping cohort at Skrine has demonstrable experience representing clients in maritime disputes, involving issues including shipbuilding and failures to meet contract specifications therein, the pursuit of outstanding sums from ship mortgages, illegal port entries, and circumstances surrounding damage to or destruction of vessels. Practice co-head Siva Kumar Kanagasabai spearheads the contentious offering and handles a broad range of cases, from arrests of vessels, charterparty disputes and oil pollution claims to vessel detentions, collision claims and cargo claims, among others. Other key contacts in the team include Fariz Abdul Aziz and senior associate Dhanyaa Shreeya Sukumar, while Trishelea Sandosam departed to Wong & Partners in January 2023.

Practice head(s):

Siva Kumar Kanagasabai; Fariz Abdul Aziz


Other key lawyers:

Dhanyaa Shreeya


Testimonials

‘The team is responsive in addressing any queries raised by the client.’

‘The team provides practical solutions in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.’

‘Siva Kumar Kanagasabai has a pragmatic approach and deals well with issues at hand.’

Key clients

ICON


Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad


Penang Port Sdn Bhd


Parine Marine Inc


Rahayu Partnership

Rahayu Binti Abd Ghani and Wiwin Binti Abd Kahar jointly lead the shipping team at Rahayu Partnership, which focuses its attention on litigious matters, including disputes concerning the lack of payment for high-value charter hires. Key clients range from shipowners and charterers, P&I clubs and international agencies to shipyards and marine insurance underwriters.

Practice head(s):

Rahayu Binti Abd Ghani; Wiwin Binti Abd Kahar