Shipping | Asia-Pacific

Kim & Chang has a market-leading legal practice with excellent capabilities in financing and contentious maritime matters in South Korea. The team advises an impressive range of high-profile shipbuilders, P&I clubs and insurance companies. The practice's dispute capabilities encompass both wet and dry work, and its financing expertise covers new builds and loan transactions. It also assists with insolvency and enforcement actions. The firm is particularly noted for its handling of multi-jurisdictional issues. Its key clients include Korea Shipowners' Association, Samsung Heavy Industry and Korea Development Bank.

Bae, Kim & Lee has an experienced legal team, frequently instructed on wet and dry disputes, with areas of focus ranging from charter party and shipbuilding disputes to collisions and cargo claims, advising cargo owners and marine insurers. The team also handles shipping finance work, such as advising domestic export credit agencies on long-term export policies. The practice is additionally noted for vessel arrests in South Korea and advises various shipping clients on general corporate law and day-to-day vessel operations. It also acts on vessel sale and purchase matters. Its key clients include DNV, HMM and Korea Line.

Lee & Ko has a formidable shipping law team that has a standout position in South Korea for vessel financing. The finance team advises on new and second-hand ship acquisitions and other structured financing for a range of financial institutions, shipping companies and investors. The practice also takes on cases of collisions, sinkings and disputes over charter parties and cargo, as well as marine insurance claims and shipping-related logistics issues. The team also counsels on international sanctions avoidance matters. It counts Taiyoung Shipping, Hyundai LNG Shipping and the Japan P&I Club among its clientele.

Choi & Kim is a well-established boutique law firm in Seoul, highly specialised in maritime, insurance and international trade-related matters. The firm is noted for its representation of ship owners and P&I clubs, with particular strength in contentious shipping matters involving bill of lading issues, cargo claims and charter party disputes, as well as marine casualty incidents, including oil spills. Its clients include marine insurers and a number of prominent shipping companies.

Jipyong has wide-ranging expertise across contentious shipping and maritime matters, from cargo and insurance claims and charter party disputes to rehabilitation and bankruptcy disputes. The team has additional strength in advising on accidents at sea, including collisions and explosions as well as oil pollution and other environmental issues. It adeptly assists clients in international arbitration relating to contractual disputes and is frequently instructed by ship owners, charterers, cargo owners and marine insurers. 

Kwon & Co is a well-regarded boutique law firm in South Korea which is highly specialised in shipping. The team advises a range of domestic and international P&I clubs, underwriters and insurers. Its areas of expertise include cargo claims, charter party disputes and rehabilitation proceedings. The practice is also experienced in handling instances of crew injury or fatality, as well as advising on wet disputes including collisions and groundings. Its key clients include Cheng Lie Navigation, Gard P&I Club and EUKOR Car Carriers.

Moon & Song has a well-respected team of lawyers with a strong reputation for contentious shipping work in South Korea, including cargo claims and oil pollution cases. The team is a popular choice for ship owners and time charterers in collision and grounding cases. Its client base includes P&I clubs, insurers and shipping companies, such as North of England P&I Club, Hyundai Fire & Marine Insurance and Korea Marine Transport.

Yoon & Yang rises in the rankings this year. The firm's shipping practice is able to advise on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious shipping law matters in South Korea, acting for a number of P&I clubs, marine insurers and ship charterers. The practice acts on cargo claims, shipbuilding and charter party disputes and transactions, rehabilitation procedures and maritime law compliance matters. Its key clients include SK Shipping, Hferry and Pan Ocean.