Shipping: Finance (International Firms) - China
What the team is known for
Watson Farley & Williams has an impressive shipping finance team, regularly handling high-value transactions for a range of leading financial institutions, leasing firms and ship owners. The firm is especially well versed in sophisticated transactions such as sale and leaseback deals, debt restructurings and syndicated loans. The firm counts prominent Chinese and global entities among its clientele, such as CITIC Financial Leasing and China Huarong Shipping Financial Leasing, and acts on a host of cross-border deals spanning Africa, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengths
"Watson Farley & Williams is very professional and understands the commercial point of view."
"I have enjoyed working with Watson Farley & Williams, and I was impressed by their team working together with us as one team."
Work highlights
Watson Farley & Williams advised SPDB Financial Leasing on two sale and leaseback transactions, involving the acquisition from, and bareboat charter back to, Ciner Shipping of eight bulk carriers.
Notable practitioners
Madeline Leong is a market-leading lawyer who enjoys a solid reputation in the field of shipping finance. She is frequently sought out by leasing firms and international banks for cross-border mandates in relation to high-value sale and leaseback transactions, syndicated loans and JOLCOs as well as restructuring mandates.
Christoforos Bisbikos is experienced in handling cross-border shipping finance mandates for lenders and lessors, especially in relation to Europe, as well as the Asia-Pacific region. "Christoforos is efficient and professional, with a strong commercial sense."
Guan Jian enters the ranking this year owing to his busy shipping finance practice. He is experienced in advising on operating leases for newbuild vessels as well as sale and leaseback transactions. "Guan is a very professional lawyer who can easily understand the commercial logic."
Valerie Lee is a counsel at Watson Farley & Williams. She assists clients with the sale and purchase of vessels and ship financing transactions. Her client roster includes Chinese banks and financial institutions.
