Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP’s well-established shipping practice advises on the gamut of matters across the maritime space. Its workload includes related insolvencies and restructurings; financings; cargo claims; collisions disputes; and marine casualty matters. Clients consist of a range of both local and international financial institutions, P&I clubs, shipowners, charterers, and commodity houses. The team is well-versed in complex cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters. It is led by Kendall Tan, who has over 20 years’ experience and has advised on a number of high-profile marine, oil and gas insolvencies, alongside disputes-focused V Bala, and shipping finance specialist Chua Choon King. Arbitration and shipping disputes expert Leong Kah Wah and maritime specialist Toh Kian Sing SC are also noteworthy team members.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has a good understanding of maritime law and the shipping industry and has considerable experience in handling the cases and guiding the legal advice and compared to other law firms, they sympathize with the client's needs and seek the solution in the client's shoes.'
‘I think Leong Kah Wah is one of top negotiators and legal advisors in the world in terms of maritime law. He's not just someone who gives a textbook answer, he actually explains how to deal with things to reach the ultimate solution.’
‘They are very much the go-to firm for us for all work.’
‘Our primary contact is with Jainil Bhandari, who we have been working with in relation to wet matters. He is a precision lawyer, and one able to answer any question we put to him quickly, clearly and comprehensively.’
‘The shipping team has great and varied skills offerings which allows innovative solutions to be available to their clients.’
‘Kendall Tan understands his clients' concerns well and is always quick to get to the nub of the issues. He breaks down complex issues into simple bitesize packages for the clients to better appreciate the situation and makes decisions.’
‘They have outstanding, relevant legal skills in the field. Combined with their understanding of industry and commercial aspects, clients can smoothly collaborate with them. Further, with their network in Asian region, clients in shipping field can enjoy one-stop legal service from Rajah & Tann.’

Key clients

Hin Leong Trading (Pte) Ltd
Ocean Tankers (Pte) Ltd
Agritrade International Pte Ltd
Roberto 16 Pte Ltd
ING Bank N.V.
Bank in Singapore
Swiber Holdings Limited
Swiber Offshore Construction Pte Ltd
MS First Capital Insurance Ltd
SP PowerAssets Limited
FIMBank plc
Lemarc Agromond Pte Ltd

Work highlights

Advised on a $4bn debt restructuring exercise of Hin Leong group, one of Asia’s biggest oil traders, involving more than 23 creditors from multiple jurisdictions.
Acting for various banks in Singapore over US$1 billion suspected massive fraud by Agritrade International.
Advised on a dispute arising from a collision between USS JOHN S MCCAIN and ALNIC MC in the Westbound lane of the Singapore Traffic Separation Scheme.