We examine the effect on various English law governed maritime contracts from the targeted action by the U.S. Trade Representative seeking to reduce the power of Chinese parties in the maritime sector.

Since April 2024 the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative ("USTR") has been conducting an investigation into acts, policies, and practices of the People’s Republic of China in relation to the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.

We are delighted to inform that our office in Shanghai has been honored with the Foreign Shipping Firm of the Year Award at the Legal 500 China Awards! Chelsea Chen and Ronin Zong were shortlisted for the Shipping Lawyer of the Year award alongside three other highly reputable professionals from top English shipping firms in China. 

Offshore wind power is a promising renewable energy source that can help the world achieve its carbon neutrality goals and China is one of the world’s largest offshore wind markets. However, the Chinese offshore wind sector is changing, especially after the government subsidies for offshore wind projects were phased out at the end of 2021.

ESG has been developing for decades internationally, in particular in the West, but has not been as well known in mainland China until more recently. Now, however, ESG is increasingly seen as a political priority aligned with the goal of “common prosperity” and therefore firmly on the agenda of large Chinese companies. This includes many shipping companies, where it is also expected that China’s push within green shipping will lead to more mandatory ESG obligations being introduced.

Mainland China has become the largest offshore wind market in the world. An overall industry chain has been established which encompasses complete offshore wind installation and operation, as well as maintenance and spare parts manufacturing, presenting an attractive market for both domestic and foreign companies.

The sweeping sanctions implemented against Russia give renewed relevance to the Chinese countermeasures to foreign companies with operations in China or doing business with Chinese counterparties. Companies should tread carefully to avoid falling foul of Chinese legislation.

Sanctions and Export Controls

Trade Restrictions, Customs and Tariffs

Ship and rig recycling

China

Offshore

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Contract Law and Construction

Shipping

Partner

Ronin is the Managing Partner in Shanghai and has a broad range of experiences in shipping, offshore and project constructions specializing in ship and offshore vessel/unit construction and sale, ship and project financing, charterparty.

In the shipping field, his experience covers all aspects of the construction and conversion of ships, together with their construction financing, charterparty and re-sale. In the offshore field, he has a variety of experiences in offshore vessels and units construction/conversion, offshore project structuring and general risk analysis, offshore vessel/unit service contracts, and offshore construction financing. On the energy and natural resources side, Zong has been involved in a variety of EPC contract negotiations, regulatory compliance advices, project structuring and financing.

Ronin's clients include Chinese state-owned oil giants, shipbuilders, big Chinese financial institutions and reputable international shipowners and offshore operator and contractors.

His practice also covers contentious side in international arbitrations.

Shanghai

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Ronin is the Managing Partner in Shanghai and has a broad range of experiences in shipping, offshore and project constructions specializing in ship and offshore vessel/unit construction and sale, ship and project financing, charterparty.