Twenty-Eight Chambers LLC

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Shipping

Overview

Twenty-Eight Chambers LLC advises on contentious and advisory maritime matters arising from shipping and admiralty operations. Our maritime practice is disputes-led and frequently involves cross-border issues, complex commercial arrangements, and time-sensitive enforcement considerations, particularly in the context of international trade.

Scope of Maritime Practice

We act for shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, freight forwarders, operators, financiers, insurers, and service providers across a broad range of shipping and admiralty matters, including:

  •  Charterparty, voyage and demurrage disputes

  •  Bills of lading, multimodal contracts and carriage regimes

  •  Cargo loss and damage claims

  • Towage, salvage and general average issues

  •  Collisions, allisions, and maritime casualties

  •  Arrest and release of vessels and maritime assets

  •  Shipbuilding, repair, and shipyard disputes

  • Marine insurance and P&I coverage matters

  • Limitation of liability and wrongful arrest claims

Litigation, Arbitration & Enforcement

We regularly appear before the Singapore courts in admiralty and related proceedings, and represent clients in domestic and international arbitration, including proceedings under the auspices of SIAC, ICC, SCMA, LMAA , and other recognised arbitral frameworks.

Our dispute resolution expertise focuses on achieving efficient and commercially sensible outcomes, whether through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, or where necessary, robust court representation in Singapore and other key maritime hubs.

Transactional & Advisory Shipping Work

Our maritime practice also encompasses transactional and advisory work supporting shipping and offshore operations. We conduct rigorous due diligence for vessel acquisitions, sale and purchase transactions, ship finance, and offshore investments, coordinating closely with foreign counsel to manage jurisdictional, tax, and regulatory considerations.

We advise on the drafting and negotiation of shipping and logistics contracts to ensure safe delivery, clear allocation of risk, and enforceable dispute resolution mechanisms.

Operational Support & Claims Management

We provide proactive operational support throughout the lifecycle of shipping operations, including:

  •  Voyage claims handling

  •  Cargo loss and damage mitigation

  •  Salvage and general average coordination

  • Swift engagement with surveyors and insurers to preserve evidence and limit exposure

For logistics and supply chain clients, we advise on port operations, terminal agreements, stevedoring liabilities, and customs clearance strategies, with a view to optimising transit times and reducing detention and demurrage costs.

Risk Management & Regulatory Advisory

Our risk management services include advising on:

  •  Bespoke contractual clauses and escalation mechanisms

  •  Cargo and marine insurance coverage

  •  Compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL and IMO regulations

  • Sanctions screening and sanctions-compliant routing

  • Tailored training programmes for shipboard and shore-based teams

Cross-Border Capability

Shipping disputes and advisory matters frequently intersect with international trade, commodities, logistics, insurance, and offshore operations. We work closely with counsel across jurisdictions where required, and advise on dispute resolution clauses and enforcement strategies that balance legal certainty with commercial continuity.

Our Approach

Our approach combines technical maritime expertise with commercial judgment. We work closely with clients’ operational teams, including on-site where necessary, to anticipate bottlenecks, streamline documentation, manage disputes efficiently, and protect reputations in time-critical situations.

Clients choose Twenty-Eight Chambers for its depth of maritime experience, commercial pragmatism, and responsiveness in fast-moving shipping matters.

For further information on our maritime (shipping & admiralty) practice, please contact us at enquiry@28chambers.com.sg.

Representative Matters

We have acted in a wide range of maritime and shipping disputes, including:

  •  Acting in multiple vessel arrest proceedings in Singapore to secure maritime claims, including urgent in rem applications, coordination with the Sheriff and P&I Clubs, and obtaining security in support of court proceedings and arbitration.

  •  Acting for an offshore sector claimant in an insurance coverage dispute arising from cargo damage sustained during cargo-lifting operations at a shipyard, involving losses of approximately SGD 2.3 million. The matter was resolved by settlement.

  •  Acting for a claimant in an admiralty collision dispute involving allegations of negligent navigation and management of a tug and barge convoy.

  • Acting for a defendant in an admiralty dispute involving competing bills of lading issued to different entities in respect of the same cargo of nickel briquettes, raising issues of documentary carriage, transfer of contractual rights, and allocation of commercial risk.

  • Acting for the Singapore subsidiary of an Italian ship repair and maintenance multinational in High Court proceedings against shipowners for remuneration claims arising from ship management and repair services, involving disputes over actual and ostensible authority. The matter was resolved through mediation

  • Chubb Insurance Singapore Ltd v Sizer Metals Pte Ltd [2023] SGHC(A) 17: Acting for the respondent insurer and successfully resisting an appeal in a marine cargo insurance dispute concerning the theft of tin ore cargo during inland and sea transit. Judgment was obtained for the full claim amount.

  • Acting for a UAE-based offshore contractor in two LMAA arbitrations governed by English law arising from disputes over buy-and-leaseback arrangements for offshore vessels, involving claims and cross-claims exceeding USD 30 million. The matters were settled.

  • Assisting a claimant in a marine cargo insurance dispute arising from the hijacking of a gasoil shipment during transit from Singapore to Timor-Leste, involving allegations of conspiracy, compliance with marine insurance requirements, and insurable interest. Judgment was obtained for the full claim amount, with subsequent post-judgment discovery proceedings against reinsurers’ brokers.

Selected Reported Judgments

Publications

Explore our other practice areas

Dispute Resolution (Litigation & Arbitration)
International Trade (Commodities, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas)

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