Shipping: International Firms
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : South Korea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+82 2 6138 4800About
Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP
Stephenson Harwood has one of the world’s leading shipping and offshore practices. We have advised our Korean clients on their key business decisions since the late 1970s.
We are consistently instructed by most of the major shipping and offshore companies, energy service companies, oil and gas businesses, shipyards, insurers, commodity companies, sponsors, lenders and private equity providers.
We advise on services spanning:
- Finance: senior, mezzanine and subordinated debt and covering corporate finance, ship and offshore finance, blended corporate and asset finance, export credit agency backed, leasing, project finance, limited recourse and derivatives
- Corporate: mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, debt for equity swaps, group reorganisations and restructurings, joint ventures, private equity investments and general corporate advice on a range of matters including regulatory compliance, equity incentives, competition issues and succession planning
- Commercial: project tender processes, project documents, building contracts, pooling arrangements, conversion contracts, sale and purchase and charterparty agreements
- Disputes: risk mitigation, litigation, arbitration and mediation, international sanctions and arrests and enforcements
- Restructuring: debt restructuring and refinancing, debt for equity swaps, schemes or arrangement, judicial management, chapter 11 and insolvency
Chambers Review
Stephenson Harwood is a shipping law powerhouse known for its standout capabilities in such contentious shipping matters as contractual disputes, accident, shipbuilding and insurance claims within the South Korean market. It is able to advise on both wet and dry disputes and has additional expertise in shipping finance. The Seoul office serves clients across the region on South Korea-related onshore and offshore matters, collaborating closely with the Singapore office. The team's impressive client roster includes prominent domestic shipping companies and construction companies as well as international insurers.
Work Highlights
- Stephenson Harwood advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank in senior secured financing of five carriers for Polaris Shipping.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team has a good understanding of ship financing and it comprises many skilled lawyers with long experience."
"Stephenson Harwood are responsive to the clients' needs, and they provide a high-quality service."
"The team has a good understanding of ship financing and it comprises many skilled lawyers with long experience."
"Stephenson Harwood are responsive to the clients' needs, and they provide a high-quality service."
Notable Practitioners
Michael Kim is the managing partner of Stephenson Harwood's Seoul office. He acts for parties involved in charter party, shipbuilding and marine insurance disputes, in addition to advising on shipbuilding contracts, ship financing and investments.
"Michael understands the practicalities of shipping-related matters, while he has good expertise in the law. This enables him to work with his clients with ease."
Gregg Johnston is based in Singapore and is well placed to advise Korean shipping companies and lenders on financing transactions. He leverages nearly two decades of experience acting on offshore and shipping finance mandates.
"Gregg is a very skilled lawyer with long experience and good commercial awareness."