Research interests

• Shipbuilding contracts
• Guarantees
• Relational contracts
• Good faith
• Maritime dispute resolution 

Current research

Xinzhe Qiao's current research focuses on the application of relational contracts to shipbuilding contracts and their auxiliary agreements. By examining the concept of relational contracts, Xinzhe aims to explore their potential role in enhancing cooperation, fostering trust, and mitigating disputes among parties involved in the shipbuilding industry. His research investigates how relational contracts could be integrated into traditional shipbuilding contracts to address complex legal matters and create a more harmonious contractual environment.

Thesis title: Analyse the contractual problem involved among parties in shipbuilding contracts and its auxiliary agreements (Shipbuilding contracts/guarantees/relational contracts/good faith)

Supervisors: Dr. Johanna Hjalmarsson & Dr. Ainhoa Campás Velasco

Date started: September 2021

Xinzhe Qiao has had the opportunity to gain teaching-related experience during his time at the University of Southampton's Law School. He has supported and assisted Dr. Johanna Hjalmarsson in teaching topics related to academic integrity, legal referencing, and the use of legal resources in the context of marine insurance law. Xinzhe has also worked with Dr. Liang Zhao to support in teaching tutorials related to Bills of Lading.

Xinzhe's interests in marine insurance, Bills of Lading, Charterparties, and other areas of maritime law, combined with his practical experience in the maritime industry, make him well-suited to contribute to the teaching of these maritime-related topics. He possesses extensive knowledge and experience in these areas, which he is eager to share with students to help them develop a strong understanding of the complexities of maritime law. Xinzhe's ability to apply his practical experience to his teaching approach makes these topics more approachable and relevant to students, creating a more engaging and meaningful learning experience.

Additionally, Xinzhe is currently contributing to the teaching of this semester's international sale of goods tutorial, expanding his realm of influence in the educational sphere and continuing to enrich student learning with his invaluable insights and experiences.

Before joining the University of Southampton as a postgraduate researcher, Xinzhe Qiao completed his Bachelor's degree in Maritime Safety Administration at Dalian Maritime University, China. During his undergraduate studies, Xinzhe focused on practical maritime skills and gained a strong background in maritime law and safety management. His bachelor's dissertation explored the development of oil spill treatment technology in the Arctic ice area.

Xinzhe then pursued a Master's degree in Law at Dalian Maritime University, where he wrote his dissertation on "A Study on the Legal Issues of the Limitation Periods Regime in the Context of the Revision of the Chinese Maritime Code." He continued his academic journey in the United Kingdom, completing an LLM in Maritime Law at the University of Southampton. His LLM dissertation centred on a comparative analysis of liability for wrongful arrest of ships.

Throughout his education, Xinzhe has gained valuable professional experience through internships at Ince & Co's Shanghai office and Dentons Dalian office, as well as industry placements with the Maritime Safety Administration and China North Sea Rescue Bureau. These opportunities allowed him to develop his legal and maritime skills further, preparing him for his current role as a Postgraduate Researcher at the University of Southampton's Law School.