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.

Sanksjoner og eksportkontroll

Toll og handelsrestriksjoner

Resirkulering av skip og rigger

Kina

Offshore

Fiskeri og havbruk

Kontraktsrett og entreprise

Shipping

Managing Partner

Ronin er Managing Partner ved Wikborg Reins kontor i Shanghai, og har bred erfaring innen shipping/offshore. Han er spesialist i salg av skip og offshore-fartøy/skipsbygging, skips- og prosjektfinansiering, samt certepartier.

Hans erfaring innen shipping dekker alle aspekter av skipsbygging og konvertering av skip, finansiering, rådgivning knyttet til certepartier og videresalg av skip. Innen offshore har han erfaring med offshorefartøy og skipsbygging/konvertering, offshore prosjektstrukturering og generell risikoanalyse, kontrakter knyttet til offshorefartøy og servicekontrakter, samt offshore byggfinansiering. På energi- og naturressurssiden har Zong arbeidet med en rekke EPC-kontraktsforhandlinger og har rådgitt om compliance, prosjektstrukturering og finansiering.

Ronins klienter inkluderer kinesiske statseide oljegiganter, skipsbyggere, store kinesiske finansinstitusjoner og anerkjente internasjonale redere samt offshore-operatører og entreprenører.

Han arbeider også med tvisteløsning i internasjonal voldgift.

Shanghai

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Ronin er Managing Partner ved Wikborg Reins kontor i Shanghai, og har bred erfaring innen shipping/offshore.