Shipping: International: Singapore

THE FIRM This team is steadily increasing its market profile, bolstered by a number of lateral hires and by the relocation of asset finance specialists from its London office. It regularly advises several of the region's most prominent lenders, including Investec and DVB Merchant Bank (Asia). Its recent work for DVB includes counselling it in connection with the refinancing of five chemical tankers, and advising on the post-delivery financing of two cargo vessels to a Singaporean operator.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Brotherton is the key contact partner.

THE FIRM This team recently welcomed new managing partner Brian Nash, a marine litigation specialist, who relocated from the firm's Dubai office. It remains very active in contentious work, handling major shipbuilding arbitrations, marine insurance claims, charter party disputes and casualty disputes. Its clients include several Lloyd's syndicates with offices in Singapore. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS According to sources, Chris Edwards "demonstrates a thorough knowledge of shipping contracts and common practices." Clients further applaud his "quick response times and approachable demeanour," in addition to "his extensive network of contacts, from which he can draw specialised technical advice." 

THE FIRM This vibrant practice enters the top band this year in recognition of its solid performance in admiralty disputes and other wet matters. With two former mariners amongst its ranks, this team is a formidable force for wet work throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It represented the underwriters and owners of the vessel 'Noble Hawk' in their claim against the ship's charterers following its grounding on the Halmahera reef, off the coast of Indonesia. It also acted for Titan Maritime Industries on the salvage contract for the 'Costa Concordia', valued at more than USD500 million.

Sources say: "We feel confident choosing them to handle large shipping disputes." "They're able to be there when things happen beyond our expectations; the team is very responsive and always targets the key issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner and master mariner Tony Goldsmith is commended by sources as a "very down-to-earth" adviser, with a particularly high profile in marine casualty work. He was the lead partner acting on the 'Costa Concordia' matter.

Paul Barfield advised the owners and the P&I club of the vessel 'Bonafide' on salvage issues concerning the vessel's recent grounding. Peers concur that he is "very well respected" in the marketplace.

THE FIRM This well-rounded shipping practice has been strengthened by the arrival of Paul Aston, formerly managing partner of the firm's Shanghai office. The team maintains a stellar track record in both wet and dry work across the region. The wet claims team currently comprises two specialists and has been active in piracy, collision and cargo damage cases. The dry team is regularly active in shipbuilding, charter party, sale-and-purchase and commodities disputes.  

Sources say: "Eagle eye for detail, and well versed in technical issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Davidson focuses principally on high-stakes arbitration cases. His recent work includes successfully representing a Singaporean shipowner in a claim for unpaid hire charges against its charterers.

THE FIRM This formidable team continues to go from strength to strength, particularly following its recent alliance with Incisive Law. As befits a firm of its reputation, it has recently handled a number of high-profile marine casualty and contractual disputes, as well as a significant amount of ship finance work. The team has acted in a series of sensitive shipbuilding, cargo liquefaction and enforcement cases, while in the ship finance field it recently welcomed three new fee earners and has undertaken work on behalf of newbuildings and joint ventures.

Sources say: "A firm which always deserves a top ranking."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Lovell is the Singapore office's managing partner. Peers respect his impressive experience in admiralty, marine insurance and cargo cases, which spans more than 25 years.

Martin Brown leads the business and finance team. He has considerable experience in ship finance matters for various types of vessels, including LNG carriers, offshore rigs, FPSO vessels and mobile offshore production units (MOPUs).

Iain Anderson was previously an average adjuster in the London market, and his considerable experience in this field adds considerably to his understanding of marine insurance cases.

THE FIRM Despite the departure of Mike Pollen, this practice maintains an active presence in arbitration, restructuring and ship finance. Recent highlights include successfully acting for the European subsidiary of a major Asian shipyard in a design and construction dispute relating to a semi-submersible offshore drilling unit, entailing a large number of complex individual claims, with a total estimated value of more than EUR100 million. Another highlight was representing a cargo owner and charterer in relation to the cargo loss following the arrest of a ship by its mortgagee bank.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients appreciate Raja Bose's targeted analysis of issues. In the words of one interviewee: "He's a creative thinker who's able to combine legal solutions in a commercial context."

THE FIRM This finance powerhouse continues to impress market commentators. It is noted for the breadth of its expertise, which has seen it at the forefront of structured finance shipping deals of late. It recently advised a lenders consortium led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking regarding a USD1 billion facility for the creation of a joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K Lines and China Shipping Development Company. On the dispute resolution side, the team has been enhanced by the relocation from the firm's London office of partner Ian Teare, who has played a prominent role in the 'Rena' grounding and 'B. Oceania' collision cases.

Sources say: "The firm has very strong resources and a great approach. The lawyers aim to achieve mutual commercial goals."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Guy Spooner leads the firm's Asia international commercial arbitration and dispute resolution group. Sources regard him as a "tough litigator with fantastic Asian contacts."

According to sources, Ben Rose "is excellent at advising lenders and always seeks out a solution that's in the best interests of both parties."

Gervais Green was the lead partner on the Sumitomo Mitsui matter. "He has a very long-standing practice and is highly respected," enthuse clients.

THE FIRM This practice is uniquely placed to advise on English, Singaporean and Norwegian law, due to its formal law alliance with Norwegian firm Wikborg Rein. Major highlights include providing wreck removal guidance to the P&I club of the MV 'Rena', the grounding of which was the most severe maritime pollution incident in New Zealand history. On the contentious side, the team recently defended a Chinese shipowner/charterer in multiple proceedings arising from alleged defaults of its charter parties and guarantees. The team has also been engaged to advise on a number of M&A transactions for shipowning clients.

Sources say: "The team is solution-oriented, strong and to the point." "Very responsive and dedicated across Singapore and Norway."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher Grieveson is a prominent member of the practice, whose recent work includes advising on the wreck removal contracts relating to the MV 'Bareli'.

Clara Tan has substantial experience in handling dry claims, particularly in the shipbuilding area.

THE FIRM This pre-eminent firm maintains its top-flight reputation in both shipping finance and litigation. On the finance side, the team has further expanded with several lateral hires and reaped increasing market share in China and South Korea. It represented Chinese-Thai conglomerate Reignwood Group and Opus Offshore in their negotiations with Shanghai Shipyard regarding the construction of two conventionally moored drillships, valued at USD500 million. On the contentious side, the team remains busy with several shipbuilding contract disputes, restructuring and enforcement issues. Highlights include acting for Vitol Asia on obtaining the release of cargo valued at more than USD100 million, following its detention in the Sudan. 

Sources say: "A predominant player with in-depth experience. They're always reachable and responsive, and keep key partners deeply involved in the deals."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Veteran finance lawyer Martin Green heads the team. Interviewees enthuse: "He's such an impressive and technical lawyer. He's very knowledgeable in law and an excellent deal negotiator."

Gregg Johnston recently guided DNB on its role as agent, security agent and mandated lead arranger in connection with a facility of more than USD497 million for subsidiaries of Hyundai Merchant Marine to part-finance the construction of five container vessels.

Clients of Iain Young note that "he is very professional, commercially savvy and good at spotting issues." He is held in high regard by several notable lenders, and is frequently instructed on cross-border deals.

The core of Dirk Janssen's practice concerns dry shipping matters, international trade, offshore projects and construction.

THE FIRM This robust firm has further strengthened its shipping practice through several recent lateral hirings. The team has received a broad range of instructions from clients located in Singapore, Malaysia, China and Japan. On the wet front, it recently undertook a number of complex cases regarding vessel fire and grounding across the region, while on the dry claim side it assisted COSCO Bulk with defending against Pioneer Freight Futures's USD16 million claim regarding FFA contract disputes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Prominent dry lawyer Mark Sachs speaks fluent Mandarin, and as such has gained a loyal Chinese client base. His notable clients include Westwood Shipping Lines.

Johan Wong specialises in wet matters and has considerable experience in investigating collision, grounding, fire and total loss claims.

THE FIRM Despite significant changes to this team, clients continue to praise its consistent quality and considerable bench strength. Through its joint venture with Singapore firm Asia Practice, the firm is able to leverage its extensive relationship with leading domestic and international banks and long-standing industrial experience to excellent effect. Its recent track record includes a syndicate of banks and financial institutions on Korea Line's ongoing restructuring proceedings, and on the contentious side the team has been deeply involved in a multitude of arbitration for disputes arising from purchase and repair contracts, in addition to considerable damages claims.

Sources say: "Professional, attentive and responsive." "I appreciate their service mentality: they think from a client's perspective and make us feel prioritised."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Goh Mei Lin enjoys an outstanding reputation in the market for "being very attentive, commercial and aware of issues. She knows how to get a solution for both parties," sources say.

Jon Ray has a wealth of experience in arbitration, and has also played an important role in much of the team's recent restructuring work.

Andrew Nimmo recently advised Terasea (a joint venture between Ezion Holdings and Seabridge Marine Services) on its receipt of loan facilities totalling USD53 million from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and JBIC, intended to fund two ocean towing/salvage tugs under construction by a Japanese shipbuilder.