Department profile

Asset Finance: Shipping Finance

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Norton Rose Fulbright

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Asset Finance: Shipping Finance - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Norton Rose Fulbright houses a deep bench of practitioners who provide leading expertise in shipping finance and aviation financing matters, with additional rail experience. The firm regularly acts for clients, including banks, financial institutions, ship owners, airlines and ROSCOs, on complex cross-border deals, including EETCs, JOLCOs and portfolio transactions. The firm also offers expertise regarding the AFIC aircraft non-payment insurance product.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Norton Rose Fulbright advised Carnival Corporation in respect of the ECA-backed financings of five new cruise vessels.
Norton Rose Fulbright acted for Scandinavian Airlines Systems on its USD1.2 billion exit financing from Chapter 11.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The team have deep understanding of products, clients and markets, and a market-leading record in guiding and advising lenders.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
Norton Rose are the preferred counsel for complex and structured transactions, providing a timely and professional service on often difficult transactions.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
They have intelligent people who understand complex problems easily but still take a pragmatic approach and are not afraid to provide clear advice or take a view.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
They have pragmatic cooperation with law firms on the other side and are cost-conscious, not seeking to score points over getting the deal finalised.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
The NRF team we are working with are very responsive, very well organised in terms of documentation and logistics, and able to give quality advice on complex matters.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Simon Hartley
Global co-head of the shipping group at the firm, Simon Hartley has exceptional knowledge of the shipping industry and often advises on lending and leasing matters. He works with shipping companies and banks, among other clients.
Simon is a very experienced partner who delivers a high quality of service.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
He is very knowledgeable and understands what a bank wants as a client.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Duncan Batchelor
Global head of the firm's aviation group, Duncan Batchelor is recognised for his expertise in a host of aviation transactions. He has considerable knowledge of restructurings and cross-border financings, among other matters.
Duncan is an expert in the field, able to argue with ease in a client-facing manner.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
Duncan is extremely experienced and professional. He provides service that's second to none with a strong grasp of the commercial particulars, which is key to understanding the rationale and logic.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Richard Howley
Richard Howley is a noteworthy lawyer who acts for banks and lessors on cross-border shipping transactions. He has notable experience advising on the sale and leaseback of vessels and the refinancing of LNG carriers.
Richard is very engaged, very commercial in the industry and a long-term participant too. I would 100% recommend using him.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
A brilliant lawyer with vast experience.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Andrew Williams
Andrew Williams is a partner with a strong finance practice in the shipping space. He acts for banks and lenders, with a particular specialisation in cruise ship financing and additional experience in the commercial shipping space.
Andrew is very client-focused and turns something complex into something understandable to everyone.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
An all-round lawyer with great people skills and excellent industry knowledge.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Dan Cowdy
Dan Cowdy is an experienced lawyer within the aviation finance space, acting for both operators and lessors. He advises on large aviation fleet transactions and is noted for his expertise in creating the complex finance structures required to attain the necessary capital.
Dan's standout quality is that he is a very strong advocate for his clients.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Eleanor Martin
Eleanor Martin advises on shipping finance matters, with particular expertise in those relating to offshore equipment. She is well placed to handle cross-border project financings and has experience with assets affected by Chapter 11 processes.
Eleanor is very knowledgeable and experienced.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
I have worked with Eleanor on a number of highly complex transactions. Her ability to understand and develop solutions is notable, while she approaches it in a calm and considered manner.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Owen Mulholland
Owen Mulholland acts on the sale and leaseback of aircraft fleets and structured financings. His clients include airlines, lessors and banks.
Owen Mulholland is the person in tough negotiations who can calm the situation and get people talking.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Will Alete
Will Alete advises clients on aircraft-related deals. His expertise covers financing of fleet procurements and leasing transactions.
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Band 4
Band 4
Giles Brand
Giles Brand focuses on asset finance work and is best known for his capabilities in the aviation sector. He often handles financing and leasing matters, with experience in large fleet transactions.
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Matthew Bambury
Matthew Bambury is an impressive up-and-coming shipping finance practitioner with experience advising lenders and borrowers. He is highly adept at handling a wide range of financings, including revolving credit facilities and equity financing.
Matt has strong self-assuredness and deep expertise in dealing with complex situations and multiple stakeholders.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
Matt provides a thoughtful and conscientious service, ensuring that transaction execution is well run, while also challenging situations where he believes a better solution is possible.
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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