Shanna Ghose

Practice Areas

My practice covers both contentious and non-contentious shipping and maritime matters. I run a large transactional and ship sale and purchase practice which has grown substantially in recent years, both independently and together with the growth of the firm’s transactional practices in Greece and Hong Kong. I also have a dispute resolution practice, in which I focus on commodities and dry shipping. I constantly advise on everything from run-of-the-mill demurrage disputes to the latest global issues affecting trade, such as trade restrictions imposed on the import/export of cargo, delay and force majeure issues arising as a result of the ongoing wars and extreme weather events. Sanctions and risk assessment of counterparties has also been an increasing part of my practice in recent times.

I am recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Maritime and Shipping Law by the Singapore Academy of Law (currently in the process of being renewed) and was empanelled on the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration’s Panel of Arbitrators in 2021. I have published several awards to date and continue to receive regular appointments as arbitrator. I have acted as arbitrator under the SCMA rules, SIAC rules (both under the standard and expedited procedure) and in ad hoc arbitrations seated in Singapore.

See Annex A for a flavour of my practice over the last 5 years. My practice keeps me very busy and I manage a team of 4-5 lawyers who support it.

Career

Bachelor of Law (Hons) from the National University of Singapore

Qualified as an Advocate and Solicitor (Singapore) in 2007

Qualified as a Solicitor (England and Wales) in 2016

Trained at Oon & Bazul LLP from 2006, and practiced as an associate from qualification in May 2007 to August 2010. As an associate in a local practice, I spent most of my days in Court conducting advocacy (Nb. It is a fused profession in Singapore)

Joined Hill Dickinson’s Singapore office in August 2010 as an Associate to focus on arbitration work, and following promotions to Senior Associate and then Legal Director, I became a Partner in May 2018.

Professional Memberships

Member of the Law Society of Singapore

Member of the Singapore Academy of Law

Member of the Law Society for England and Wales

Member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Maritime Law

Personal

A busy mum of a two year old!

Clients

Shipowners

Trading houses

P&I Clubs

Work Highlights

I am regularly asked to speak at industry events. I moderated a discussion panel at last years’ 6th Capital Link Seminar in Singapore on Geopolitical and Regulatory Risks from an Owners’ Perspective. Earlier this year, I also participated as a Debater at APIEX – SCMA DEBATE 2025: This House Believes That A Maritime Expert Who Previously Conducted Investigations Should Only Be A Witness Of Fact, Not An Expert Witness.

Industry Sector Expertise

I’ve focused on maritime and shipping law from the start of my practice. I am recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Maritime and Shipping Law by the Singapore Academy of Law (currently in the process of being renewed). I also receive appointments as arbitrator owing to my specific sector focus over the last 17 years.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Singapore

England

Languages Spoken

English

Malay (intermediate written and spoken)

German (intermediate written and spoken)

Education