Shipping: Litigation (International Firms) | Greater China Region

Reed Smith has a comprehensive shipping practice that is well regarded in the market for its expertise in all facets of shipping finance and litigation. Its impressive disputes practice covers cargo claims and charter party disputes, regularly acting for ship owners, charterers, insurers and P&I clubs as well as cargo owners. Reed Smith is a respected choice for contentious wet shipping matters, including casualties, collisions and wreck removal. The firm continues to handle complex financings for shipping companies and lessors. The team's mandates include the sale and purchase of ships, leasings and restructuring mandates.

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.

CMS has a high-calibre team in the shipping field, which is well regarded for its shipping litigation practice. The firm is noted for its particular strength in damages and cargo disputes. The team advises clients on the contentious shipping issues arising out of transactions and restructuring procedures. CMS is further noted for its expertise in sale and leaseback transactions. The group handles work for ship owners, charterers, insurers and P&I clubs, and financial leasing companies.

Clyde & Co houses an established international shipping practice with a solid reputation for handling shipping disputes. The group leverages an experienced team of lawyers throughout Hong Kong and Mainland China. The team frequently handles significant cargo, reparation and insurance claims arising out of ship collisions and casualties as well as salvage operations and investigations. The firm is regularly entrusted by leading P&I clubs, charterers, leasing companies and ship owners, and advises clients from its Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai offices to give comprehensive Greater China coverage.

Hill Dickinson's Hong Kong team has a solid practice that acts on the full gamut of shipping disputes. The firm acts for prominent P&I clubs, ship owners and insurers in litigation and arbitration, including cargo claims and ship arrests, as well as charter party disputes. It is known for advising on mandates in the distressed shipping sector and offers expertise in matters regarding sale of vessels, sanctions, security enforcement and liquidation matters. The team also assists with the financing and refinancing of passenger ships and carriers.

Howse Williams has a notable shipping disputes team which acts in a variety of high-profile wet and dry cases. The firm is regularly mandated by P&I clubs, terminals, ship owners and charterers on collisions, wreck removal and pollution claims as well as sanction issues, charter party disputes and personal injury matters. The team is frequently instructed on litigation, mediation and arbitration proceedings. Clients also seek its expertise in advising on limitation of liability issues.

DLA Piper has a well-established contentious practice and is instructed by shipyards, ship owners, financial institutions and insurers in a wide range of shipping mandates. The team handles litigation and international arbitration proceedings relating to cargo, insurance and shipbuilding disputes, as well as charter party claims. It is regularly mandated by clients to assist with disputes relating to payment, share arrangement and contractual default during trade. DLA Piper counts on resources across its Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai bases.