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Stephenson Harwood LLP

Shipping: Finance (International Firms)

Greater China Region Guide 2026 : China

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Stephenson Harwood LLP

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About

Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP

Stephenson Harwood is a full service law firm with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. 26% of our lawyers are based in Asia with offices and associations in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore and Seoul. These offices provide English, Hong Kong, Chinese, Indonesian, Singaporean and Myanmar legal advice. Our lawyers are fluent in English and the major Asian languages: Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Shanghainese), Bahasa and Korean as well as French and Russian.

 
Our award winning marine law practice offers a breadth of services to clients in the shipping, insurance, offshore and commodity sectors. Our clients include many of the world's largest shipowners, shipyards, major ship finance banks, marine insurers and P&I clubs, energy services companies, oil and gas businesses and commodity traders.

 
In addition we have specialist maritime, commodity sanctions and international trade lawyers in key shipping and trade hubs worldwide: Dubai, London, Paris, Piraeus, and deliver seamless market-leading maritime expertise to a truly international clientele.

 
We routinely act in high-profile disputes involving complex legal and commercial problems throughout the world. With our long track record of representing best-in-class maritime companies and leading financiers all over the world, you can be sure of the highest quality of service every time.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Shipping: Finance (International Firms) - China

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Stephenson Harwood has a leading ship finance team, well reputed for its expertise in a range of transactions. The firm frequently services prominent banks and leasing companies through its offices in Hong Kong and Mainland China, particularly on complex sale and leaseback transactions, syndicated and asset-backed loans and contracts of affreightment. On the litigation side, the team is highly sought after for cargo and contract disputes, and bill of lading and restructuring cases. Stephenson Harwood is regularly instructed by insurance companies, P&I clubs, shipping companies and financial institutions as well as offshore institutions looking for full-service shipping advice.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm knows how to maintain balance when positions of the parties shift.

    Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

  • They don't say yes to everything, but think of ways to improve and even take it further with thoughts to improve and input additional suggestions.

    Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Hongkai Zhou
    Hongkai Zhou

    Hongkai Zhou

    Zhou Hongkai is a department co-head who offers a wealth of experience in asset finance. He is experienced in financing, ship sales and leasing agreements. His expertise is in high demand among Chinese policy banks and financial leasing companies.

    • He is professional and comprehensive on the financing agreements and also has good commercial understanding.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Hongkai is a force of nature. He is very hard-working and leads the team in every respect with a practical approach, keeping the objective in mind. He is a stellar advocate for the client’s interest.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Peter Lee
    Peter Lee

    Peter Lee

    Peter Lee offers well-established experience in the shipping finance sector, including sale and purchase, financing and joint ventures, recovery of distressed assets and restructuring matters.

    • Peter is detail-minded, with the ability and experience to handle complex matters.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Elton Chan
    Elton Chan

    Elton Chan

    Elton Chan is highly recommended for his experience in ship financing matters, such as secured loan facilities for vessel acquisitions. He often acts for banks and financial leasing houses.

    • He is capable and very efficient.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Elton’s quality is very consistent and his service is always great.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Evangeline Quek
    Evangeline Quek

    Evangeline Quek

    Evangeline Quek offers in-depth expertise in a wide range of matters including cross-border litigation relating to charter party disputes and cargo claims as well as lease contracts. She has been active in representing financial leasing companies and P&I clubs of late.

    • Evangeline has deep experience in the Greater China market and provides prompt and concise advice on a myriad of shipping disputes.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Her ability to handle complex work is excellent.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Paul Ho
    Paul Ho

    Paul Ho

    Paul Ho is sought after by banks and financial leasing companies and is acknowledged for his precise legal work and local expertise in disputes concerning charter parties, shipbuilding, and the sale and purchase of ships.
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  • Shirley Li
    Shirley Li

    Shirley Li

    Shirley Li offers notable strengths in liquidation, bill of lading and charter party disputes. She typically represents Chinese entities.

    • Shirley is fantastic and I love working with her.

      Shipping: Finance (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Simone Liu
    Simone Liu

    Simone Liu

    Simone Liu is based in Shanghai and is widely recognised in the ship finance market in China for her work advising financial leasing companies on a range of leasing structures.

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Ranked Individuals at Stephenson Harwood LLP (7)

China

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