China nevertheless remain something of an enigma, little understood by most of its trading partners and competitors alike. In a shipbuilding context, many Western shipowners, although attracted by the pricing advantages of ordering in China, lack any practical experience of dealing with Chinese shipbuilders and are hesitant to commit significant capital to projects with partners they little understand.

Cultural and language problems add to the perception that contracting in China is a difficult and unduly risky process which should be undertaken only if very significant pricing benefits can be achieved.

London Heathrow based international lawyers Curtis Davis Garrard have moved to demystify Chinese shipbuilding by producing a concise A4 sized booklet titled 'Purchasing Newbuildings in China'.

Subtitled 'A practical guide to the key commercial and legal considerations', the booklet provides fascinating background to the current expansive state of Chinese export shipbuilding, relates the ''do's" and "dont's" of negotiating with Chinese shipbuilders, and details the legal pitfalls to be avoided.

Intended as both a practical manual and a guide to risk management, this most useful booklet even includes an appendix with maps showing the locations of the principal Chinese shipyards.

MJ Information No: 18111