Manager - Maritime Legal Counsel

SEA LEAD SHIPPING PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading maritime company in Singapore is seeking a Maritime Legal Counsel to oversee legal matters related to shipping contracts and insurance claims. The role involves managing claims processing, negotiating insurance policies, and ensuring compliance with maritime laws. Ideal candidates will have a law degree with a specialization in Maritime Law, along with 5–8 years of relevant experience. Proficiency in English and Chinese is preferred.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in maritime legal practice, preferably in shipping companies.
• Strong understanding of maritime law and marine insurance.
• Ability to work independently and manage cross-border legal issues.

Responsibilities

• Manage maritime insurance claims and legal proceedings.
• Review and negotiate marine insurance policies annually.
• Draft and negotiate charter parties and shipping contracts.
• Liaise with clients, shipowners, and external counsel.
• Provide insights on claims activity to management.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in law

Specialization in Maritime Law

Tools

SAP

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job purpose

The Legal Counsel (maritime) is responsible to support the company’s maritime operations by handling legal matters related to shipping contracts and marine insurance claims. This includes reviewing and managing dry shipping agreements, resolving disputes, processing claims, and ensuring compliance with maritime laws. The role helps reduce legal risks and supports smooth commercial operations. In a nutshell, we are seeking a highly skilled Maritime Legal Counsel to lead legal oversight of maritime claims, insurance matters, and dry shipping operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring legal compliance, managing risk, and supporting commercial operations across global shipping activities.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Claims Management

• Claims Processing: Receive, record, and process all incoming maritime insurance claims. Responsible in handling direct customer claims, claims from other carriers, insurers, lawyers and recovery agents. Interpret marine insurance policies to determine coverage for claims.
• Claims Resolution: Negotiate settlements, manage legal proceedings, and ensure timely resolution of claims/lawsuits and settled based on best possible terms.
• Recovery: Identify potential third-party liabilities and pursue recovery from other parties. Pursue and follow up claims reimbursement from insurer.
• Incident management: Support management and various stakeholders to co‑coordinate claims responses in major incidents. Appoint, instruct and manage lawyers for legal proceedings as needed.
• Reporting & Analysis: Provide insights and feedback on claims activity and developing trends to underwriters and management. Loss Prevention: Identify and address knowledge or process gaps to reduce financial and legal exposure.
• Day to day activities: Advise various stakeholders such as operations, customer service teams etc on situations which arise during pre‑carriage, pre‑delivery or post‑delivery of cargo.

Insurance Oversight

• Review and negotiate marine insurance policies (P&I, H&M, War Risk, etc.) on a yearly basis.
• Coordinate with brokers, underwriters, and P&I Clubs for renewals, endorsements, and claims follow‑up.

Dry Shipping Legal Matters

• Draft, review, and negotiate charter parties, bills of lading, and other shipping contracts such as terminal and procurement contracts, SLAs, depot, partnership agreements (VSAs), etc.
• Advise on freight, demurrage, laytime disputes, and vessel performance issues.
• Support commercial teams on contractual risk assessments and dispute resolution. Ensure contracts are handled in accordance with legal principles and company policies.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with clients, shipowners, P&I Clubs, surveyors, recovery agents, and external counsel.
• Collaborate with internal departments including operations, insurance, and finance.

Education requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in law; specialization in Maritime Law, Maritime Legal Studies, or Marine Insurance preferred.
• Minimum 5–8 years of relevant experience in maritime legal practice, preferably within shipping companies, law firms, or P&I Clubs. Experience should include claims management involving shipowners, ship managers, and P&I correspondents.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of maritime law and conventions, marine insurance, claims handling, and dry shipping contracts.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• In‑depth knowledge of the container liner industry is preferred.
• Resilient with a sense of urgency and the ability to work well under demanding timelines.
• Proficiency in business applications and IT tools such as SAP, Excel, Microsoft, etc.

Language requirements:

English and Chinese (preferrable)

Competencies and skills:

• Ability to work independently and manage cross‑border legal issues.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Familiarity with international shipping operations and trade practices.
• Experience working with P&I Clubs and maritime regulators.
• Ability to manage a direct report on claims handling.