We recently caught up with Karnan Thirupathy, Partner in Wotton Kearney’s Singapore-based Marine, Trade and Commodities team, to discuss his career, the evolving risk landscape and what excites him most about joining WK.

With more than 25 years’ experience advising clients across Asia, Karnan specialises in international arbitration and cross-border disputes spanning the marine, trade, commodities and insurance sectors.

His arrival, alongside Special Counsel Charlene Sim and their team, significantly strengthens WK’s marine, trade and commodities capability across Asia.

In this Q&A, Karnan shares insights into his practice, the key developments shaping the market, and his vision for the future of the team.

Welcome to WK, Karnan. Can you tell us a little about your background and practice?

I’m from Singapore and have spent most of my career based here, with stints in Hong Kong and Bangkok. Together with the team, I handle work for marine and trade insurers, P&I Clubs, and shipping and trading companies. Much of our work involves arbitration, most frequently in London and Singapore, or dealing with litigation or losses in the region.

One recent highlight was the team securing a US$140 million London arbitration award against an Asian state-owned energy company in an LNG supply dispute. Others include advising owners, charterers and P&I clubs on Straits of Hormuz issues. In addition to disputes work, we also advise clients in the shipping, trade and insurance sectors on sanctions compliance issues.

We’ll start with a team of five, including four Singapore-qualified lawyers. Charlene Sim and I are additionally English-qualified, with experience in London litigation alongside our arbitration work.

The marine, trade and commodities sectors sit at the heart of global commerce. What makes this area of law interesting?

My interest in shipping and trade started early. My dad spent his career working at the Port of Singapore, and my mum joined a bank at 17 where she ended up in the trade finance department. One of my favourite childhood toys was a Lego container ship given to my dad by a ship’s captain on the day I was born!

What has kept me engaged throughout my career, is that these sectors sit at the heart of global commerce: they are rooted in centuries of history, yet constantly evolve in response to changing markets, technology and geopolitics.

The work is international, commercially significant and intellectually stimulating, and I have learnt a tremendous amount from clients over the years.

What key developments should insurers, traders and maritime businesses be paying attention to in today’s market?

Geopolitical developments are currently the biggest driver of risk and complexity for insurers, traders and maritime businesses. Sanctions and export controls, dark fleet activity, supply chain disruption, war risks and cyber threats are all becoming more challenging to navigate as the world moves towards a more fragmented and multipolar order.

Organisations that invest in robust compliance frameworks, scenario planning, supply chain resilience and appropriate insurance protection will be best placed to respond to this increasingly complex environment.

Shipping companies are also facing growing regulatory pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – bringing significant compliance, financing and operational challenges.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited to achieve at WK?

I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues in Singapore and across WK’s network to further grow the marine, trade and commodities practice in APAC.

WK has built an outstanding reputation in its core sectors, and its growth trajectory and ambitions for the future make it an exciting platform from which to support clients across the region.

I look forward to deepening relationships with marine and trade credit insurers, shipowners, traders and other clients while contributing to the continued growth of the firm.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

This might actually not be surprising to some, but I used to play the drums in a couple of bands during my army days, at university and in the early years of practice.

There might be a few more stories from that time – but I think they’re better shared over a drink than in a Q&A…

Connect with Karnan

If you would like to find out more about how Wotton Kearney’s Marine, Trade and Commodities team can support you, please reach out to Karnan Thirupathy.