Helmsman excels at shipping law, but it also has growing banking, employment and general disputes practices. The firm acts for commodity traders, banks and charterers in high-value, cross-border disputes across the globe. The team also has substantial experience in the mid and downstream liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, particularly in LNG shipping and chartering and LNG trade disputes. As an affiliate of Hong Kong firm Tang & Co, Helmsman houses 18 specialist fee earners, which makes it one of the biggest dedicated shipping and commodities practices in Asia. The key contacts are managing directors Ian Teo and Chong Jun Tang, and directors Maureen Poh and Lynette Koh. Recently, the firm welcomed senior disputes specialists, director Una Khng and counsel Benjamin Bala, from the Supreme Court of Singapore and TSMP Law Corporation respectively.
Client feedback
“Helmsman acted quickly and provided an excellent and useful memo. In particular, I appreciated the proactive approach where we were given advice on specific documents and questions to pursue to gain more understanding of the relevant facts.” – Dispute resolution
“They are available whatever the time is and react super-fast in an efficient manner. Very accurate on their points. They give us the feeling of having a dedicated lawyer in charge of our matters, which does help a lot when it comes to understanding.” – Shipping
“Cheap, fast and good.” – Shipping
Zhida Chen
“Intelligent and commercially minded.”
Una Khng
“She demonstrated high legal skills, was pragmatic in terms of providing useful advice, and good in communications.”
Maureen Poh
“She gave immediate answers to any questions, whatever the time was. Available to travel overseas for assistance in commercial deals. She always kept a positive attitude to come out on top of any issue. She gives the right advice with a permanent very good mood.”
Work highlights
Acting for Trafigura in a dispute which arose out of the insolvency of Hin Leong Trading.
Advising Weifang JS Trading, a global chemicals trading and manufacturing company headquartered in China, in respect of court proceedings in St Lucia against the issuing bank under the letter of credit for failing to make payment against a compliant presentation of documents under the letter of credit, and a trading dispute vis-à-vis its buyers.
Work highlights
Advised Trafigura in respect of advance payments of up to $80 million granted to Valeura Energy Asia.
Assisted a Chinese institutional bank as the lender to China Hainan Rubber Industry.
Represented ship leasing company CSSC, on a series of three sale and leaseback arrangements for three newbuild vessels valued at more than $100 million.
Work highlights
Acted for Unifeeder FZCO and Feedertech to win freezing injunctions against Ti2 Logistics and Ti2 Shipping Lines. This is one of the rare occasions where the Singapore courts granted a freezing injunction against a third party in aid of arbitration proceedings, on the basis that the funds in possession of the third party may be the assets of the defendant in the arbitration.
Advised Hong Lam Marine in relation to a claim arising out of a delay in the discharge of cargo with high levels of hydrogen sulphide.
Representing Yangtze Harmony Company on high-value claims and complex issues arising from the arrest of the vessel, including procedural issues, priority of claims, and technical issues from related shipping arrangements.
Key clients
Keegan Shipping Holdings, Kithnos Special Maritime Enterprise, Prima Marine Public Company, Strofades Special Maritime Enterprise.
