He is Deputy Director of the International Business Center, Executive Dean of Shanghai Branch of DHH Research Institute , Equity Partner , Arbitrator , Ph.D. in Law. His expertise lies in Maritime Law, International Trade, International Arbitration and Corporate Legal Advisor.
Professional Experience:
Jan. 2023 – Present: Beijing DHH (Shanghai) Law Firm, Equity Partner
Jun. 2022 – Jan. 2023: Shanghai Transbright Law Firm, Senior Partner
Feb. 2010 – Jun. 2022: Shanghai Haifu Law Firm, Senior Partner
Education & Academic Career:
Jul. 2005 – Feb. 2022: Shanghai Maritime University, Associate Dean of Law School (Overseas Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Foreign Affairs)
Jul. 2005 – Feb. 2022: Shanghai Maritime University, Master's Supervisor and Associate Professor
Oct. 2011 – Oct. 2012: University of Southampton, UK, Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Maritime Law
Recent Representative Cases:
1. Represented a domestic crude oil transport company whose vessel was arrested in Singapore following a claim of misdelivery by a trading company. The opponent initiated parallel proceedings in Singapore and the UK. As the lead counsel in China, coordinated and organized the Singaporean and UK legal teams, advised on counter-actions including initiating third-party proceedings. The precise strategy led to the opponent's evidence being dismissed, rendering their claim unsustainable and resulting in a complete victory.
2. Represented a petrochemical company after its chartered vessel suffered a fatal explosion during loading. Multiple salvors claimed over CNY 40 million against the client and its insurers. Through effective defense arguments during the trial, appeal, and retrial, the final liability was reduced to just over CNY 4 million, achieving a 90% reduction in potential liability.
3. Advised a bulk carrier owner facing delaying tactics and vessel arrest by receivers in Thailand over claims exceeding US$5 million. With the vessel sold and a tight delivery schedule, quickly coordinated with Thai counsel to appoint a protective agent, assess losses, and negotiate. When arrest occurred, immediate implementation of a pre-agreed plan allowed for the posting of a US$1.5 million security and secured the vessel's release within 48 hours, enabling timely delivery.
4. Represented a domestic pelagic fishing enterprise after its vessel suffered cargo damage from a hit and run collision with a Spanish flagged fishing vessel on the high seas of the Southwest Atlantic.The enterprise brought a marine cargo insurance claim of approximately CNY 17.84 million against the insurer, which raised multiple defenses and moved for a stay of proceedings. Through our successful rebuttals, the court ruled in favor of all our claims.
5. Represented a domestic shipping enterprise that encountered maritime fraud in the course of international trade transportation, involving multiple legal relationships such as bill of lading fraud and cargo lien disputes. The opposing party raised numerous claims, and the case spanned three jurisdictions: Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Acting for two affiliated companies, we coordinated a unified defense strategy across multiple proceedings, systematically identified fraudulent clues throughout the international trade documentation chain, and ultimately effectively safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of the shipowner.
6. Handled nearly 100 ship arrest cases across various jurisdictions including Russia, Turkey, Panama, Brazil, Uruguay, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, and Venezuela.
Recent Cases:
1. General Legal Counsel:
• Acted as general legal counsel for over 20 companies across a range of sectors, including shipping, trade, supply chain, and insurance brokerage.
2. Litigation and Arbitration
• Acted for a shipping company against an engineering company in a dispute over a freight forwarding contract in maritime and coastal waters.
• Acted for a shipping company against an engineering company in a dispute over a freight forwarding contract in maritime and coastal waters.
• Acted for a Hong Kong company against a trading company in a dispute over a voyage charter party.
• Acted for a ship management company against a company in a dispute over a contract for carriage of goods by sea in maritime and coastal waters.
• Acted for a Hong Kong company against an import/export company in a maritime and admiralty dispute.
• Acted for a shipping company against a trading company in a dispute over maritime fraud.
• Acted for a Singapore shipping company against a trading company in a dispute over maritime fraud.
• Acted for a shipping company against a supply chain company in a dispute over a voyage charter party.
• Acted for a pelagic fishery company against an insurance company in a dispute over a marine and coastal waters insurance contract.
• Acted for a shipping company against a trading company in a dispute over a contract for carriage of goods by sea in maritime and coastal waters.
• Acted for an individual against an energy company and others in a maritime and admiralty dispute.
• Acted for a freight forwarding company against a shipping company in another maritime and admiralty dispute.
• Acted for a ship management company and an individual against a shipping company in a dispute over the lease of ship’s appurtenances.
• Acted for a shipping company and an individual against another individual in a maritime and admiralty dispute.
3. Non litigation Legal Services
• Advised a company on a charter party off hire dispute, covering contract review, legal advice, drafting of legal letters and English emails, and coordination of legal actions.
• Assisted a company with overseas appeal, settlement and vessel release, including formulating legal strategies and supporting client decision making.
• Provided legal services for the release of a vessel from arrest.
• Assisted a company in handling the arrest of a vessel in Thailand, coordinating with local agents and counsel, and negotiating with consignees for release by way of security or direct payment.
• Assisted a company in handling the arrest of a vessel in the UAE, coordinating with local agents and counsel, and negotiating with consignees for release by way of security or direct payment.
• Advised a company on the arrest of a vessel, obtaining security for release, and jointly initiating arbitration with foreign counsel.
• Advised a company on the arrest of a vessel in Malaysia, obtaining security, and jointly initiating arbitration in Singapore with foreign counsel.
• Provided legal advice to a company during the period of vessel detention.
• Provided legal services for the release of a vessel from arrest in South Korea.
• Assisted a company with the arrest of a vessel in the UAE and subsequent court proceedings, including legal advice, drafting of legal letters, settlement agreements, amendments to guarantees, and negotiation support.
• Provided legal services for the release of a vessel from arrest in Japan.
• Provided legal services for the release of a vessel from arrest.
• Advised a company on a charter party off hire dispute, including legal advice and drafting of English correspondence.
• Provided pre litigation legal services to a pelagic fishery company in a vessel collision case, covering liaison with foreign counsel, application for arrest of vessel, obtaining security from the liable party, and settlement negotiations.
• Provided legal advice on marine cargo damage.
• Assisted a company with vessel arrest and subsequent proceedings in Turkey, including legal advice, document drafting and negotiation support.
• Assisted a company with vessel arrest and subsequent proceedings in Russia, including legal advice, document drafting and negotiation support.
• Provided legal services for the release of a vessel from “live arrest” in Panama.
• Assisted a company with vessel arrest proceedings in South Korea, including legal advice, document drafting and negotiation support.
• Advised a company on a dispute over the choice of discharge port under a charter party, analysing contract terms, the shipowner’s claims, and the feasibility of arbitration.
• Advised a ship agent on defence strategy, evidence review and drafting of legal documents in a cargo damage claim.
4. Legal Consultancy
• Advised a company on a freight dispute under a charter party.
• Advised a company on a ship sale and purchase contract.
Publications:
[1] Li Lan, Zhang Bo. Analysis on the Legal Nature of P&I Club Letters of Undertaking. Annual of China Maritime Law, 2015, 26(04): 103-109.
[2] Zhang Bo. The Achilles' Heel of the Rotterdam Rules: Mandatory Period of Carrier Liability. Annual of China Maritime Law, 2011, 22(03): 15-20.
[3] Zhang Bo. Study on Delivery of Goods Without Original Bills of Lading from the Perspective of the Rotterdam Rules. SMU Maritime Law Review, 2010, (00): 109-125.
Professional Affiliations:
Since 2015: Appointed as arbitrator for many prominent arbitration institutions, including the Wuhan Arbitration Commission, CIETAC, the China Maritime Arbitration Commission, Nanjing Arbitration Commission, Changsha Arbitration Commission, Dalian Arbitration Commission, and Nantong Arbitration Commission, Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Hainan Arbitration Commission, Tianjin Arbitration Commission.
Honors & Awards:
November 2024: Recognized as an Urgently Needed Legal Services Talent in the Pudong New Area, Shanghai.