1. Contentious Work 

The firm acts for various major P&I Clubs, their local correspondents and their member shipowners/shipping lines in marine collision and casualty investigations and related litigation. The firm also routinely advises and represents Club/carriers’/charterers interests on charterparty and bill of lading claims and disputes such as the incidents relating to the loss of containers laden on board the vessels “Ching Ho” and “Noble Spirit”.

Another facet of the firm’s contentious maritime work includes investigating and advising on maritime casualties. Recent undertakings include defence representation in relation to oil pollution incidents as well as personal/fatal injury claims.

The firm also frequently undertakes instructions on marine insurance (including Hull & Machinery insurance and cargo insurance matters) directly from underwriters as well as through various international defence and recovery agents. The firm has acted for insurers in both defending and prosecuting cargo loss/damage and related claims. The firm also acts for international freight forwarders (air and sea), major shipping line operators and logistics/warehousing service providers (local and international) in defending and prosecuting cargo claims.

Recent notable cases which the firm has handled include:-

• • Acting for the owners of the “Kaminesan” in respect of issues arising out of a 3-ship collision involving “Hyundai No. 105” and “Mamitsa”, including commencing a limitation action, obtaining a limitation decree, opposing various stay applications, and challenging the right to limit of the owners of “Mamitsa”. 

• • Advising and acting for the owners of the “High Endurance” in respect of issues arising out of a 3-ship collision involving “Merkur Bridge” and “RSS Persistence”, including advising on issues of jurisdiction, limitation, anti-suit injunctions, etc.

• • Advising on salvage, general average, charterparty and bill of lading issues related to the explosion/fire on board the “Hanjin Pennsylvania” including obtaining a court order for the sale/ disposal of cargoes discharged from the vessel and abandoned by cargo interests.

• • Advising cargo interests in relation to salvage, general average, charterparty and bill of lading issues arising out of an explosion and fire on board the vessel “Gillian”.
    
    
  • Advising shipowners on claims arising out of the loss of containers laden on board the vessels “Ching Ho” and “Noble Spirit”.

• • Advising and representing shipowners in relation to oil pollution incidents as well as personal/fatal injury claims.

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The firm is also on the panel of external lawyers for PSA Corporation Ltd and its group of companies.

2. Non-Contentious Work

An important aspect of the firm’s shipping portfolio includes advising and acting for financiers and international shipowners/operators, in ship financing and sale & purchase and financing transactions. The firm also regularly advises clients on the drafting of charterparties, fixture notes, contracts of affreightment and slot agreements, and on general corporate re-structuring. 

3. Oil and Bunker Trade

The firms acts for and advises (in both contentious and non-contentious matters) various international and local players in the oil and bunker trade.