Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Commercial, Corporate and Finance Team at Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) recently assisted Yangzijiang Maritime Development (YMD) to secure its primary listing on the Main Board of the SGX-ST. The successful listing resulted in a market capitalisation for YMD of around S$2.15 billion. CJC’s London-based team was led by James Clayton, Partner and head of the Commercial and Finance practice, and Consultant Alastair Macaulay. Demonstration of CJC’s capabilities “This project was a real highlight for our commercial team in 2025, and offered an excellent demonstration of CJC’s capabilities across a broad range of requirements as English, Marshall Islands and Liberian legal counsel in bringing YMD to market,” said James Clayton. The process also called for CJC to liaise with lead counsel Rajah & Tann Singapore, with Carey Olsen Singapore as British Virgin Islands counsel, DeHeng Law Offices advising on PRC law and Arias Fabrega & Fabrega as counsel on Panama law. Opportunities for Yangzijiang Maritime Incorporated in Singapore, maritime-focused company YMD invests in vessels for charter and sale, offers financing solutions, such as sale-and-leasebacks, pre-delivery loans, and secured loans through joint ventures and leasing models. Bringing YMD to the SGX-ST market follows the earlier listing of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (in 2007) and Yangzijiang Financial Holdings (in 2022). In an official statement following the listing, Ren Yuanlin, Executive Chairman and CEO, Yangzijiang Maritime Development Ltd., said: “We see tremendous growth opportunities for Yangzijiang Maritime. This milestone reflects our vision in the potential of our maritime platform, as we continue to create long-term value and work toward sustainable and transformative growth.”

Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) has announced that it has opened new offices in Genoa, following an agreement to engage an established team of maritime lawyers focusing on both English and Italian law. The international maritime law firm, which already has offices in London, Newcastle, Singapore and Miami, will be joined by a seven-strong team located in London and Genoa, led by Enrico Vergani. Vergani has also been appointed as a director of CJC. Vergani’s areas of specialisation Listed for his shipping expertise in Italy in The Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 EMEA directories, Vergani’s areas of specialisation include project financing, litigation and international arbitration plus shipbuilding/ship conversion contract law. In addition to Vergani, CJC’s London office will be joined by Giulia Morelli, who focuses on commercial litigation and arbitration as well as international sanctions, Marco Pirino (Italian lawyer) whose practice also focuses on aviation and customs and Filippo Vergani (Trainee Solicitor). In Genoa, CJC will be represented by Marco Mastropasqua (lawyer) who will lead the local team and has over 20 years of market expertise, Luna Montervino Lisi (Italian lawyer) and Katya Barbieri (PA), working from premises in the heart of the commercial maritime district, in Galleria Mazzini. Areas of maritime law “This is both a natural progression for CJC and a reaffirmation of the firm’s ambitions in both contentious and non-contentious areas of maritime law as we conclude our 15th anniversary year,” said Alistair Johnston, Director, CJC. “Having worked closely with the Italian shipping market over the years CJC has built up a strong relationship with Owners, brokers and insurers there and particularly in Genoa. This development will hopefully reinforce the relationships that we have enjoyed throughout CJC’s 15 years.” CJC’s energy and quality “We look forward to bringing CJC’s energy and quality to this market and it is a source of great pride that an English law firm is investing in Genoa to reinforce its relationship with London,” said Vergani. “There is a genuine sense of excitement in our team over what we can achieve in connecting these two markets and historic centres for marine insurance as part of a law firm whose shipping focus so closely aligns with our own expertise and experience.”

International maritime law firm - Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) has added a senior member to its team in Singapore, following the appointment of Chua Aik Hui as Director. Joining the maritime law firm’s transactional team at the partner level, Aik Hui specialises in advising multinational financial institutions, sponsors, owners, and lessors on asset financing in the maritime and offshore oil and gas sectors. Extensive industry experience  Aik Hui also has significant experience in advising clients on shipbuilding contracts Key areas of experience include financing structures, such as secured, unsecured, ECA-backed, and sustainability-linked financings, pre-delivery financings, re-financings, sales and leasebacks, and JOLCOs. Aik Hui also has significant experience in advising clients on shipbuilding contracts, time charters, bareboat charters, sale and purchase agreements, and other commercial and project documents. She is qualified in both Singapore and England and Wales. Reinforcing CJC's global reputation "We are delighted to welcome Aik Hui to CJC’s growing team," said James Clayton, Director and Head of CJC’s Commercial and Finance Department, in London. James Clayton adds, "She will not only enhance the Singapore team, which has already established itself as a market leader in Shipping and Maritime law in Asia, but will also reinforce CJC's global reputation in complex transactional work." Regional focus The appointment brings a key addition to CJC’s Singapore-based expertise, providing a regional focus for transactional work that reflects the growing status of its London team and matches the company’s continuing ambitions for growth in Asia. Five directors of the London-headquartered firm are located in Singapore.