Transportation: Shipping: Finance | Europe

The boutique law firm Ehlermann Rindfleisch Gadow is renowned for its exquisite strength in ship financing mandates. The team often acts for domestic and international investment funds and banks on the financing of vessel acquisitions and the construction of newbuilds as well as loan agreements and sale-and-leaseback transactions. Further strength lies in refinancings and debt and financial restructurings. Back-to-back bareboat financings are also handled by the firm, as are other contractual shipping issues. Leasing and shipping companies as well as ship owners also belong to Ehlermann Rindfleisch Gadow's excellent client base. The practice is additionally equipped to advise on the negotiation of shipbuilding contracts and various transactional matters, in addition to handling both shipping arbitration and litigation.

Watson Farley & Williams houses a highly reputed shipping finance practice based in Hamburg. The team is held in high esteem by prestigious and often international banks for its expertise across the full spectrum of shipping finance. Large refinancings, ship acquisition finance and sale-and-leaseback transactions are regularly handled by the firm. Other areas of expertise include fleet financings, vessel sales and portfolio leasing transactions as well as open lease structures. Clients, which also include private equity funds and investors, equally benefit from the law firm's international network, allowing the effective handling of cross-border mandates.

CMS offers expertise across the full spectrum of shipping law. Its team represents shipping companies, investment funds and banks. The law firm evidences a solid track record in complex shipping litigation, concerning issues such as collision or delivery failure as well as contract disputes. In addition, the firm advises on a range of shipping transactions, covering tender procedures as well as emergency financings. Its strength in asset financings in the rail sector further boosts the firm's offerings. With its international office network, CMS is also well placed to assist with cross-border work.

Norton Rose Fulbright houses a leading asset finance team in Germany with particular expertise in the aviation and rail sectors. The law firm is especially active in aviation matters, including lease agreements, large M&A transactions, aircraft acquisition financing and fleet transfers as well as restructurings. Furthermore, the department advises on rolling stock acquisition financing and lease agreements in the rail sector. Mandates concerning shipping finance transactions are also handled by the firm, with its expertise spanning international cruise ship financings, emergency financings and bond issuances. Clients equally benefit from its prowess in handling vessel acquisitions. Norton Rose Fulbright is particularly renowned among prominent national and international lenders.