East Asia - China
1

Shipping: foreign firms

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Wikborg Rein

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Spearheaded by the trio of Ronin Zong, Chelsea Chen, and Yafeng Sun, the ‘very responsive’ Wikborg Rein team has extensive expertise in sale and purchase transactions, complex arbitrations, and contractual disputes in a shipping context. The firm primarily represents shipowners, offshore companies, and major shipyards, regularly leveraging its network of English lawyers in its London and Singapore offices. Operating out of Shanghai, Zong has vast experience in dry shipping matters, Sun primarily focuses on cross-border transactions and investments in China, and Chen is an international dispute resolution expert, concentrating on the petroleum and energy fields. Claire Jiang is highly regarded for reviewing and drafting shipbuilding contracts, alongside handling offshore construction affairs.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘With stable staff and excellent team, we provide clients with timely, efficient and professional legal services.’

  • ‘Chelsea Chen and her team: They have the ability to provide legal services to domestic and foreign clients speaking different languages, and the team's feedback is timely, efficient and professional.'

  • ‘The team is very responsive to the needs of the clients i.e. understand the commercial realities that underpin the disputes and communicates very quickly. They are able to therefore tailor their advice and alternative creative solutions to meet the clients' needs.’

  • ‘Sun Yafeng. Well-connected network and relationship with local MSA and authorities allow him to facilitate resolutions of matters expeditiously.’

  • ‘Admiralty, maritime, litigation and non-litigation services.’

  • ‘Smooth communication, quick response, and timely and effective solutions.’

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Key clients

  • China State Shipbuilding Corporation and subsidiary yards
  • COSCO Shipyard Group Co., Ltd. and subsidiary yards
  • China Merchants Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. and subsidiary yards
  • China National Offshore Oil Corp (“CNOOC”) and subsidiaries
  • China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
  • CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
  • Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
  • Everbright Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
  • CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Company Limited
  • GARD AS
  • Norwegian Hull Club
  • Skuld P&I Club
  • London P&I
  • Japan P&I
  • Britannia P&I

Work highlights

  • Advised Adora Cruises Limited, a joint venture company between China State Shipbuilding Corporation and Carnival Corporation, on the RMB 4.4bn financing of China's first domestically built large cruise ship "Adora Magic City" with Export-Import Bank of China.
  • Advised CSSC (HONG KONG) SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED on a financial leasing transaction for two VLCCs with leading International ship operators, for a financing amount exceeding USD 121,000,000.
  • Advised Japan P&I and its Korean member in a ship sinking accident at Taiwan Strait in respect of bunker and DG cargo salvage and disposal, shipwreck removal and disposal, oil pollution prevention, accident cause investigation, negotiation and settlement of claims.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ronin Zong
Wikborg Rein
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Chelsea Chen
Wikborg Rein

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ronin Zong, Chelsea Chen, Yafeng Sun

Other key lawyers

Claire Jiang