Shipping
Latin America Guide 2025 : Panama
Band 1
About
Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
ARIFA is one of the leading maritime law firms in Panama, regularly assisting ship owners, ship operators, banks and port operators around the world. Regarded for decades as the premier firm for ship financing in Panama, our expertise extends not only to the financing of vessels, but also platforms registered in Panama.
ARIFA also acts as registered agent in Panama for hundreds of vessels registered under the Panamanian flag. Through its own network of offices in London, Hong Kong and Panama, and a highly specialized staff and automated systems, the firm facilitates the registration and mortgaging of vessels for clients around the world.
ARIFA has an important maritime litigation practice. Maritime claims and disputes in local and international admiralty courts are handled by an interdisciplinary group of expert lawyers from our shipping and litigation practice areas.
Throughout the years, the firm has been actively involved in ongoing projects to modernize maritime laws. Partners of the firm have been instrumental in the drafting of major pieces of legislation on ship registration and maritime court procedures.
Chambers Review
Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega houses a stellar team with a highly acclaimed shipping practice, covering regulatory, transactional and contentious matters. Its deep bench of noted practitioners routinely assists clients with vessel registration, mortgages and financing. The department offers exceptional experience handling cross-border transactions, with particular expertise acting as lenders' counsel on credit facilities. The team is also known to represent clients in cases before the Panama Maritime Authority and Maritime Courts. The Panama City-based firm continues to be a top choice for leading international counsel acting in Panama.
Work Highlights
- Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega acted as joint counsel to Seadrill Finance on the issuance of USD575 million 8.375% senior secured second lien notesand the establishment of a USD250 million revolving credit facility.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega's lawyers are highly responsive. They are very knowledgeable of not just shipping but Panama law in general. I am very impressed with their capabilities."
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega's team has proved it can handle very high-profile cases. The lawyers of the team are very business-oriented, flexible and responsive."
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega's lawyers are highly responsive. They are very knowledgeable of not just shipping but Panama law in general. I am very impressed with their capabilities."
"Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega's team has proved it can handle very high-profile cases. The lawyers of the team are very business-oriented, flexible and responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Notable practitioner Jorge Loaiza continues to garner extensive praise from interviewees for his long-standing presence in the Panamanian shipping arena. He stands out in the market for his experience and expertise in both contentious and non-contentious shipping matters.
"Jorge Loaiza is very well known in the industry. He is quite knowledgeable and thorough in his legal analysis."
"Jorge Loaiza is responsive, practical and commercial."
Dynamic partner Pilar Castillo plays a key role in the shipping department and is respected by interviewees for her expertise in shipping registration and financing in Panama.
"Pilar Castillo is always responsive, pragmatic and knowledgeable. Her understanding of the market and ability to balance pragmatic legal advice with commercial realities is second to none."
Ranked Lawyers at
Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
Panama
Clients
Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega
Allseas
Carnival Cruise Lines
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
DvB Bank AG
D’Amico
Grupo Mexico
Grupo R
Heerema
ID Shipping AS
Lauritzen
Monjasa
Nordea Bank
Norden A/S
SapuraKenkana
Schahin Engenharia S.A.
Scorpion Offshore Ltd.
Seadrill Limited
Touax