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Singapore: Helmsman celebrates firm’s strategic transformation with formation of five new practice groups

‘When you think of Helmsman on the next occasion, think of us as lawyers with expertise in various fields. Come to us before a problem develops. It’s the process that matters,’ says Tang Chong Jun, Executive Director.

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International law firm Helmsman LLC celebrated the firm’s strategic transformation last week at the National Gallery Singapore to mark its progress from a specialist shipping and commodities firm to a multidisciplinary services firm, the firm said on Tuesday (1 November).

The event, Helmsman Redefined: A Celebration, gathered industry professionals, clients, and leaders together for the celebration.

At the event, Helmsman formally announced the formation of new practice groups – commercial disputes, employment, and corporate, banking and finance – in addition to the existing shipping and commodities practice groups. 

The celebration concurrently unveiled the Head of each Practice Groups: 

  • Ms. Maureen Poh, Head of Shipping
  • Mr. Chen Zhida, Head of Commodities
  • Ms. Lynette Koh, Head of Corporate, Banking and Finance
  • Ms. Una Khng, Head of Commercial Disputes
  • Mr. Matthew Teo, Head of Employment

Special mention was also given to Mr. Jonathan Tan, an Associate Director of the Firm, who this year made it to Asian Legal Business’s 40 under 40s list.

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Managing Director, Mr. Ian Teo who shared his view on the evolution of the firm, said: “Leaving aside our firm’s outstanding performance on the legal rankings over the past few years, what struck me most are the clients’ comments published in the legal rankings – they are all consistent – ‘practical advice’, ‘commercial minded’, ‘user friendly’ and ‘approachable’.”

“My personal favourite was ‘cheap, fast, good and on the ball’ and ‘fit-for-purpose advice, commercially minded and helpful and friendly,’ and will continue to be known for our plain, practical advice.”

Executive Director, Mr. Tang Chong Jun, who further described the Helmsman Identity with the audience at the celebration, said: “We are not just here as lawyers fighting in court or arbitration for you. Sure, we can do that. But more than that, we are here to help you avoid disputes, to lend guidance when a problem crops up, and to nip the problem in the bud when we can.”

“When you think of Helmsman on the next occasion, think of us as lawyers with expertise in various fields. Come to us before a problem develops. It’s the process that matters.”

Helmsman LLC was founded in 2019. The firm has since grown to become one of the leading law firms in Asia. Helmsman will provide international level multi-disciplinary legal services as part of the firm’s global strategy The firm routinely acts for clients in varied and high value commercial transactions and disputes across the world from their offices based in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Manifold Times previously reported Helmsman announcing the firm’s official transition into a multi-disciplinary law firm servicing clients and partners throughout the Asia Pacific, Greater China and further afield.

Related: Helmsman welcomes Una Khng onboard to head its Commercial Disputes Practice
Related: Helmsman evolves into multi-disciplinary law firm; expands Singapore and Hong Kong practices to meet growing demand
Related: Helmsman: Practical tips for bunkering, commodities sectors on compliance with Russian sanctions
Related: Singapore: Recent BL Judgement results in ‘far-reaching impact’ on bunkering industry, says Helmsman lawyer
Related: Singapore: Helmsman Director to hold ‘Masterclass’ on ship sale and purchase agreements
Related: Legal firm Helmsman LLC upgrades Hong Kong office location, plans for local team expansion
Related: Helmsman welcomes Lynette Koh as Director to lead its Corporate & Finance Practice
Related: Singapore: Trade finance for bunkering sector ‘entering a different paradigm’, says Helmsman lead lawyer
Related: Helmsman explains US and EU Sanctions: What is the Difference?

Photo credit: Helmsman LLC
Published: 8 November, 2022

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Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

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RESIZED Sora Shimazaki on Pexels

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July). 

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions. 

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

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RESIZED Drew Beamer

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

  • That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

  • that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
  • that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
  • that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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