Department profile
Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

Shipping

Latin America Guide 2026 : Panama

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Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

Rankings

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.

Clients (18)

  • Carnival Cruise Lines
  • Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
  • DvB Bank AG
  • Grupo Mexico
  • Grupo R
  • Nordea Bank
  • Schahin Engenharia S.A.
  • Scorpion Offshore Ltd.
  • Seadrill Limited
  • Touax
  • SapuraKenkana
  • Norden A/S
  • Allseas
  • Monjasa
  • Heerema
  • ID Shipping AS
  • Lauritzen
  • D’Amico

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Shipping - Panama

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

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.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega acted as Panamanian counsel to Summit Ridge Capital Partners and Panorama Capital Partners in a USD94 million financing to Compagnie Maritime Monegasque, secured by three offshore platform supply vessels flagged in Panama.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega is active in shipping registration.

    Shipping respondentLatin America

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jorge Loaiza III
    Jorge Loaiza III

    Jorge Loaiza III

    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.

    • We are very comfortable working with Jorge Loaiza, as he has a great market reputation and is a remarkable lawyer.

      Shipping respondentLatin America
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  • Pilar Castillo
    Pilar Castillo

    Pilar Castillo

    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 very capable in shipping registration.

      Shipping respondentLatin America
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Ranked Individuals at Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega (3)

Panama

Members

Provided by Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega has rankings in the following guides

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