Nikki Chu

Senior Associate, Stephenson Harwood

Nikki is an experienced dispute resolution lawyer and has extensive experience in dealing with all types of dry shipping matters, including charterparty, bill of lading, cargo, ship management and shipbuilding disputes.

She has acted for clients in English High Court proceedings, mediations and arbitrations. Nikki has acted for a diverse range of clients including shipowners, charterers, traders, cargo interests and their insurers. Nikki has a particular expertise in dealing with cargo claims including gas, oil, containerised and bulk cargoes involving complex technical issues. She also has experience of dealing with the dry shipping aspects of casualties, including vessel fires and stack collapses.

Nikki has completed a year on secondment with an International Group P&I Club in London, where she gained invaluable commercial insight into insurance considerations, the resolution of shipping disputes and operational knowledge. As the initial point of contact, she provided advice on an urgent and real-time basis to Members and handled a broad range of FD&D and P&I matters, including off-hire and demurrage claims.

Nikki is the current Chief Editor of Well Heeled, Stephenson Harwood's bulletin for clients engaged in LNG and gas transportation, trading and offshore production.

Contributed to

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Carriage of LNG cargoes—an introduction

Practice Notes

The evolving and maturing liquified natural gas (LNG) market is likely to give rise to an increasing number of disputes concerning LNG cargoes. These may include cargo claims from third party owners (rather than charterers) under bills of lading in respect of loss or damaged/contaminated LNG. Additionally, Owners may pursue claims for damage, delay or overconsumption, arising from the physical characteristics of the particular LNG cargo.For more information on:•LNG generally, see Practice Note: LNG—an introduction•LNG chartering, generally, see Practice Note: LNG Chartering—an introduction•LNG chartering disputes, see Practice Note: LNG Chartering Disputes—an introductionThe nature of LNGDue to its unique physical properties, the carriage of LNG by sea in comparison with most other cargoes is quite different in terms of handling and transportation, requiring specialised carriers and terminals. LNG must be carried at cryogenic temperatures of around -162°C (-260°F).LNG is clear and colourless and usually composed of about 85–95% methane with the remaining components typically including ethane, propane, butane and nitrogen in varying small

Energy

LNG Chartering Disputes—an introduction

Practice Notes

Natural gas is a valuable commodity that has a wide variety of uses, including power generation, heating and cooking. When cooled to roughly -162°C, the gas liquefies and reduces in volume by a factor of 600, thereby enabling the liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be more easily transported, for example by sea on ships. This is especially important when geopolitical factors, such as war or other instability, affect the viability of land-based pipelines.The physical properties of LNG mean that issues arise from its carriage which are not encountered in the case of other commodities transported by sea. This Practice Note provides an introduction to these various issues and the types of disputes that arise as a result.For more general information on:•LNG, see Practice Note: LNG—an introduction•carriage of LNG cargoes, see Practice Note: Carriage of LNG cargoes—an introduction•LNG project structures, see Practice Notes: LNG—Structuring LNG projects•common forms and key legal issues in LNG sale and purchase agreements, see Practice Notes: LNG sale and purchase agreements

Energy

LNG Chartering—an introduction

Practice Notes

This Practice Note provides an introduction to the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by sea, the technical and commercial issues faced and the types of charterparty contracts used to facilitate the movement of LNG.

Energy