Hong Kong team expands with new shipping partner

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has announced the hire of new partner Becky Tai to expand its shipping practice in Hong Kong.

Previously at Clifford Chance Hong Kong, Becky is a shipping finance lawyer who has extensive experience advising on maritime and offshore structured financing transactions across a wide range of asset types including LNG carriers, cruise ships and high-specification drilling rigs. Becky’s financial products experience spans ECA-supported loan facilities, sale and leaseback transactions, JOLCOs, loan facilities with flip-to-bond structure and sale and lease-back transactions supported by unique investment structures. She regularly works on cross-disciplinary and cross-jurisdictional matters for clients with Chinese, Japanese and international presences.

Ben Rose, head of shipping (Asia) at Norton Rose Fulbright, comments:

“With its worldwide reputation, Hong Kong is a doorstep to the international shipping market and to the world’s second largest economy – China.  Hong Kong also houses the world’s fourth largest shipping registry and is one of the world’s busiest container ports. Last year, the Chinese central government published a new plan that cemented Hong Kong’s future as an international maritime centre. We welcome Becky to the firm and believe her extensive experience will help us support our shipping clients in Hong Kong, PRC and more widely across Asia.”

Psyche Tai, head of Hong Kong at Norton Rose Fulbright, adds:

“Our clients require a wide range of complex multidisciplinary legal advice to help them grow their businesses and manage risk. Becky brings with her a combination of transport and finance knowledge and experience that greatly enhances the breadth of our offering in Asia and internationally.”

Norton Rose Fulbright is highly regarded in the shipping industry as a full-service firm that is able to assist with myriad issues including financing, litigation and M&A. In 2019, the firm was named both ‘Shipping Law Firm of the Year’ at the Asia Legal Awards and ‘Shipping Finance Law Firm of the Year’ at the Global Transport Finance Awards. The firm is ranked Tier 1 for shipping finance globally in Chambers and Partners 2020.