Clyde & Co LLP, one of the most prominent foreign shipping firms in the Chinese market, represents shipowners, Protection and Indemnity (P&I) clubs, charterers and operators, hull underwriters, cargo insurers, trading and energy companies, financial institutions, shipyards, freight-forwarders and logistics companies in relation to shipping litigation. There is also a strong financing aspect to the practice, which includes advising on lending, leasing, export credit financing and asset value support. The firm is involved in transactions relating to container ships, tankers and cruise ships, often for large Chinese State-owned enterprises (SOEs). Ik Wei Chong – with his wealth of expertise in a range of shipping matters including charterparty and ship arrest – heads the team in Shanghai, supported by dispute resolution specialist Nicholas Lum and a strong bench of partners. At the more junior end of the team, legal directors Flora Tang and Christian Liu are recommended.

Nicholas Poynder heads HFW‘s highly respected practice in Shanghai. The firm remains among one of the most prominent players in this market and handles wet shipping matters such as collisions, grounding and salvage; dry shipping including charterparty and bill of lading disputes and also transactional work. Its notable clients include Shanghai Shipyard and China Merchant Industry Holdings, and it also has considerable experience in contentious matters, including litigation before the UK Supreme Court. Julian Davies is a master mariner with over 12 years’ experience at sea. Lucy Chen is a highly rated associate, appearing on many of the firm’s key matters over the past year; her practice includes marine insurance, shipbuilding and repair contracts and fleet operation contracts, as well as complex casualty cases. PRC-qualified senior manager Jenny Chester works on salvage, pollution and collisions, while senior associate Thilo Jahn is another name for contentious work.

Ince is one of the stalwart players in the Chinese shipping market and the practice covers the full life cycle of a vessel from building to scrapping. The highly experienced Paul Ho co-heads the team and advises on claims arising from shipbuilding, conversion/repair contracts and offshore construction, charterparty contracts and cargo claims, among other areas. Wai Yue Loh jointly heads the team and counts some of China’s largest commercial shipping and metallurgical companies among his clientele. He advises on disputes relating to trade finance and dry bulk cargoes. Shirley Li is another name for international arbitration and is experienced in Hong Kong, Singapore and London, while Hong Kong’s David Beaves is another key practitioner.