Kristine Koh
Associate
Kristine is a leading international disputes lawyer, specialising in commodities and maritime disputes and trade digitalisation.
Associate
Kristine is a leading international disputes lawyer, specialising in commodities and maritime disputes and trade digitalisation.
Languages - English, Mandarin Chinese
Jurisdictions - Singapore, England & Wales
Kristine Koh is a trusted ally for clients navigating the complexities of multijurisdictional commodities and maritime disputes, with a particular focus on the Asian region. Her expertise spans industries such as shipping, commodities, logistics, and telecommunications, where she provides strategic guidance to clients from Singapore, Japan, China, India, and beyond. Kristine's deep understanding of trade digitalisation, especially electronic bills of lading, positions her as a key player in helping clients innovate and streamline their operations.
Her practice covers a wide array of dispute resolution services, including international arbitration and commercial litigation. Kristine has successfully represented clients in high-stakes arbitrations involving complex legal issues across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring that her clients' interests are protected and advanced. Her work in commodities disputes, particularly those involving long-term transhipment contracts and LPG term sale contracts, showcases her ability to handle intricate legal challenges with precision and clarity.
Clients appreciate Kristine's ability to act swiftly and think commercially, making her an invaluable extension of their team. Her collaborative approach and technical acumen have earned her a reputation for delivering solutions that align with her clients' business objectives, whether it's developing an eBL platform or navigating regulatory challenges. Kristine's commitment to excellence and her can-do personality makes her the go-to lawyer for resolving complex disputes efficiently.
Commodities trading dispute
Represented a major LPG trading firm in a multi-million dollar LCIA arbitration against a Chinese counterparty for breaches of a long-term sale contract. The dispute involved conflicts of laws and issues of assignment, agency, ratification and insolvency.
Vessel financing dispute
Acted for buyers in 16 consolidated arbitrations arising out of a suite of vessel financing contracts entered into between the parties. The issues in dispute include contractual interpretation of financing and put-and-call option agreements, as well as set-off and compromise agreements.
Bauxite transhipment dispute
Acted for clients in disputes arising out of long-term transhipment contracts for the cross-border supply of bauxite. The dispute involved questions of system readiness, contract period commencement, force majeure, transhipment rates, replacement vessels and capacity allocation between projects.
Cross-border joint venture dispute
Acted for a leading Japanese electronics retailer in a multi-million dollar SIAC arbitration arising out of its Indonesian joint venture agreement, with the principal issue being an alleged change of control from corporate restructuring. The dispute involved Indonesian and Japanese law.
Shipbuilding contact dispute
Advised buyers on disputes arising from their purchase of new build dual fuel vessels being constructed by a Singapore shipyard, including in relation to the sufficiency of the contract price and claims for variation orders.
Sanctions and Libya clauses
Acted for Chinese charterers in an arbitration in relation to Owners' repudiation of the charterparty on the basis of trade sanctions and Libya clauses. The dispute involves issues of interpretation and application of the trade sanctions and Libya clauses.
Fraudulent bill of lading disputes
Acted for Owners in two arbitrations in relation to the fraudulent procurement of delivery of numerous cargoes of logs in India without production of the original bills of lading. Assisted clients in negotiating a global settlement for both arbitrations.
Container ship fire incidents
Advised Charterers on claims arising out of a fire incident on board a container ship, involving issues of causation and cargo declaration.
Electronic bills of lading platform
Collaborated with clients on the development of their electronic bills of lading platform, including by providing input on platform design, crafting key legal documentation to support the platform and successfully presenting an application for approval from the International Group of P&I Clubs.
