Helmsman LLC

Helmsman LLC was founded by two shipping and commodity trading law specialists. Although presently based in Singapore and Hong Kong, the firm is international in terms of clients and work. The firm routinely acts for clients in high value commercial litigation and arbitrations across the world – in particularly Asia and Europe. We handle all of our client relationships with care and integrity. We draw on the experience of our award-winning lawyers and networks to help our clients navigate common pitfalls in business. This includes reviewing and advising on contracts and counterparties; understanding and identifying various risks in business operations; and assisting in restructuring business operations. The association with Tang & Co. in Hong Kong this year is a steady push for Helmsman LLC to embark on a significant expansion of its business in the areas of shipping and commodities trading beyond the Southeast Asian region.

Since the establishment of Helmsman LLC and Tang & Co., we have attained many accolades and achievements. Most recently, Helmsman LLC was listed as a Notable Firm in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2020. Our Managing Director, Ian Teo, was named 30 Best of the Best Shipping & Maritime Lawyers in the World by the Expert Guides in 2019. He was also ranked in Chambers Asia Pacific 2019 for Shipping Litigation. In addition, Ian was recommended for his Maritime Law and Trade Law expertise in Best Lawyers Singapore 2020. Finally, Ian was nominated as a one of the world’s leading Transport Lawyers in Who’s Who Legal: Transport 2020.

Our Managing Partner, Tang & Co. and Executive Director, Helmsman LLC, Tang Chong Jun was recommended for his Shipping expertise by Expert Guides 2019 and also cited in Legal 500.

Maureen Poh, Director, Helmsman LLC was cited in Legal 500 as a key name for charterparty disputes, carriage of goods by sea and cargo claims and is ‘proactive, clear and fast in analysing specific points’.

Chen Zhida, Associate Director, Helmsman LLC has been nominated by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers Singapore 2021 for his expertise in Maritime Law and Commodities Law.