Counting government bodies, P&I clubs, banks and lenders, private shipowners and charterers among its key roster of clients, HFW Singapore LLP stands out for its expertise in handling the full range of shipping and supply chain mandates, from admiralty and crisis management cases to dry shipping, ship finance and ship sale transactions. John Forrester, who specialises in international ship and offshore finance matters, jointly leads the team alongside Toby Stephens, who has stellar expertise in salvage and marine insurance mandates. Siri Wennevik acts for borrowers, lenders and sponsors on a range of shipping finance and commercial transactions, while Chris Metcalf is praised as ‘an excellent dry shipping lawyer’, whose ‘overall advice, written work and strategy is exceptional’. An expert in marine casualty cases, Robert Spearing is another key contact in the group.

Showcasing stellar experience in high-stakes marine disputes, Hill Dickinson LLP advises on the full range of matters concerning casualties, including collisions, fires, groundings and wreck removals, dry shipping disputes, from charterparty and bill of lading to shipbuilding cases, in addition to ship management and commodity mandates. Practice leader Andrew Lee is commended for his ‘vast experience’ in marine-related incidents and disputes arising from casualties and contractual breaches, while Shanna Ghose spearheads the transactional and ship sale and purchase practice, with additional experience in charterparty disputes and cargo claims. Matthew Dow is noted for his expertise in container ship casualties, arbitration cases and wreck removal mandates, and Gerald Yee’s workload includes admiralty enforcement cases, cargo claims, oil and gas disputes for oil majors, marine insurance and P&I matters. Ian Maclean left the firm in March 2024.

‘A truly full service firm for shipping clients’, Stephenson Harwood LLP showcases unrivalled experience in the gamut of contentious and non-contentious mandates, encompassing advisory and risk mitigation issues, cross-border shipping and offshore financings, ship sale and purchases, chartering arrangements, corporate matters, restructurings and high-stakes disputes. Key clients range from shipping and offshore companies, energy service companies, and oil and gas businesses to shipyards, insurers, sponsors, lenders, and private equity providers. An expert in international ship and offshore finance mandates, Gregg Johnston jointly leads the practice alongside Michelle Yong, who maintains a track record in high-profile restructurings, insolvencies and enforcements. Huay Yee Kwan stands out for her expertise in PRC leasing and Gregory Xu advises on financing transactions, while Jeffrey Tanner ‘is an exceptional young partner who demonstrates a keen commercial awareness’. Other key contacts in the group include Pedram Norton and Justin Gan. John Simpson left in April 2024.

Specialist firm Campbell Johnston Clark Singapore LLP has demonstrable experience advising on the full spectrum of mandates in the shipping industry, from corporate, transactional and financing matters to marine casualty cases and investigations, shipping litigation, marine insurance and international trade. Key clients include P&I clubs, shipowners, insurers and shipping corporations. Paul Apostolis maintains a stellar track record in wet shipping disputes, with noteworthy expertise in the investigation, management and resolution of maritime casualties, and jointly leads the team alongside William Pyle. Other key contacts in the group include Gareth Williams, who advises on contractual issues arising under shipbuilding contracts, bills of lading, charterparties and marine insurance claims, Andrew Shannon and Aik Hui Chua, who joined from Squire Patton Boggs in May 2024.

The ‘collegial and supportive team’ at Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore counts shipowners, charterers, traders, offshore energy groups, insurers, ports and terminals, shipbuilders, salvors and banks and brokers among its key roster of clients, and showcases demonstrable experience in wet and dry shipping disputes. Acting for trade and commodity clients in shipping-related disputes, Leon Alexander jointly leads the practice alongside Andrew Bicknell, who represents insurers, charterers, shipowners and traders in marine disputes, and Ik Wei Chong, who splits his time between the firm's Singapore and Shanghai offices. Other key contacts in the team include project development specialist Ton van den Bosch and Paul Collier, who handles disputes under shipbuilding contracts, including in relation to termination, delay and warranty claims.

Counting financial institutions, lessors, shipping and energy companies, and government agencies among its key roster of clients, Norton Rose Fulbright maintains an impressive track record in shipping finance matters, in addition to project financing for offshore oil and gas vessels and rigs, sale and leasebacks, M&A, commercial contracts, financial restructurings and insolvencies, and disputes. Ben Rose leads the team and stands out for his expertise in shipping finance transactions, while Sue Ann Gan acts for financial institutions, lessees and owners in both financing and restructuring mandates. The team, which is praised for its ‘exceptional dedication to understanding and addressing the specific needs of its client’, is well-placed to advise on Singapore law matters through its Formal Law Alliance with Ascendant Legal LLC, where Edgar Chin is a key contact.

The team at Reed Smith LLP maintains a strong track record in litigation and arbitration, showcasing notable expertise in dry and wet shipping disputes, ranging from collision cases to damage to vessels or goods and vessel retention disputes. Practice leader Peter Glover, who is qualified to practice in Australia, the UK, and Hong Kong, is commended for his ‘exceptional experience’ in contentious shipping and admiralty matters, including high-profile marine casualties, and counts ship owners, charterers, commodity traders, banks and insurers among his key roster of clients.

Counting ship and cargo owners, charterers, managers and insurers of bulk carriers, tankers and container ships among its key roster of clients, Squire Patton Boggs handles the full range of wet and dry shipping mandates, from bills of lading and marine insurance mandates to causalities, charterparty disputes and ship arrests, with additional experience in ship financing and sale and purchase transactions. Noted for his expertise in matters concerning dry bulk and tanker charterparties, bills of lading, cargo claims, ship arrests, casualties, ship sale and purchases, and shipbuilding disputes, Barry Stimpson jointly leads the team alongside Kate Sherrard, who handles structured financing transactions, and ‘standout’ Joel Cockerell, who represents clients in wet shipping disputes. Jessica Kenworthy is another key contact in the group.

Noted for its stellar offering in shipping finance, Watson Farley & Williams LLP advises on matters concerning sustainability-linked financing, sale and purchases, new-building contracts, finance leasing and shipping work-outs, with additional experience in commodity disputes, ship arrests and maritime casualty cases. Hong Kong-based Madeline Leong jointly leads the practice alongside Sumeet Malhotra, who represents clients in international commodity trading and shipping disputes, while Andrew Nimmo advises on project and asset financings, leasing transactions and joint venture structures in the maritime sector. Other key contacts in the group include Lizzie Roe and Kimarie Cheang.

The ‘proactive and responsive’ team at Wikborg Rein showcases ‘deep knowledge and expertise’ in shipping litigation and arbitration, with additional experience in shipping finance and maritime transactions, including EPC contracts, long-term floating production charters, sale and purchase agreements, joint ventures and corporate structures. An expert in shipping transactions, with demonstrable expertise in regulatory mandates concerning ship and rig recycling, Ina Lutchmiah jointly leads the team alongside Robert Joiner, who handles dry shipping disputes. Counting shipowners, charterers, shipyards, EPC contractors and insurers among his key roster of clients, Wole Olufunwa joined the firm from Incisive Law LLC in November 2023 and maintains a track record in international arbitration cases in the maritime sector.

Praised for its ‘exceptionally strong experience and knowledge of the shipping industry’, K&L Gates Straits Law LLC handles a range of contentious mandates, from charterparty disputes, cargo claims, and hull and machinery issues to product liability, personal injury and environmental compliance matters, with additional capability in handling ship financing and sale and purchase transactions. Focusing on cross-border shipping disputes, Henry Kim leads the team and is regularly supported by Jonathan Lim, who ‘goes the extra mile’ for clients in offshore oil and gas disputes, and charterparty and cargo claims.

Kennedys Legal Solutions showcases demonstrable experience in shipping litigation and arbitration, handling a range of disputes involving charterparties, shipbuilding contracts, vessel sale and purchase, cargo loss and damage, bills of lading and letters of indemnity, in addition to marine casualties, admiralty litigation and ship arrests. Specialising in international arbitration and cross-border disputes, ‘knowledgeable’ Karnan Thirupathy counts trading houses, vessel owners and charterers, offshore energy contractors, P&I clubs and marine insurers among his key roster of clients, and jointly leads the team alongside Nick Francis, who handles a broad range of dry shipping disputes.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP stands out for its experience in handling casualty cases, with additional capability in arbitration cases involving charterparties, bills of lading, shipbuilding and construction contracts, as well as international trade and commodity mandates. ‘Experienced shipping litigator’ Johan Wong leads the team and handles a broad range of issues concerning salvage, oil pollution, limitation and forum shopping battles arising from maritime casualties, in addition to investigating collisions, groundings, fires and total loss claims.

Counting international underwriters, P&I clubs, shipowners, charterers, freight forwarders, cargo recovery agents, banks and trading companies among its key roster of clients, RPC Premier Law is noted for its experience in litigation and arbitration involving bill of lading, charterparty, marine insurance policy, P&I and FD&D claims. Iain Anderson leads the team and focuses on matters concerning marine and offshore insurance.