About

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

  • Shipping is a global business and WFW has shipping experts in all of its 14 offices worldwide, including in the UAE. We are a global force in the sector, with one of the largest dedicated maritime legal practices of any law firm in the world. 
  • We have been advising on maritime matters in the Middle East for more than 25 years, and due to increasing demand from a growing regional client base, we opened our office in the DIFC in Dubai in 2014.
  • Our team globally has an unrivalled shipping client base of shipowners, charterers, ship managers, P&I and FD&D insurers, and banks with substantial shipping portfolios. From our Dubai office we are advising local and international banks as well as regional owners on financing matters. We also advise owners and operators on all aspects of their commercial businesses, including in relation to newbuilding programmes, sale and purchase, and shipping pools/strategic alliances. We act for, and with, a number of the major shipping companies in the region. 
  • We advise in every segment of the shipping industry, from tankers, LNG, LPG, dry bulk, containers, container boxes, drilling rigs and offshore support vessels, cruise and ferries. 
  • Beyond purely maritime transport, we also advise in related sectors such as ports and logistics.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Shipping: Finance & Non-Contentious - United Arab Emirates
1
Band 1
What the team is known for

Watson Farley & Williams is especially noted for its work in the area of shipping finance, representing an international roster of banks, ship owners and charterers. The team regularly advises on major transactions in this space, including vessel financing and purchases. The finance group is supported by an increasingly respected disputes team which has years of experience in maritime cases. The team has also recently been enhanced by multiple lateral hires from the former Dubai office of Ince.

Work Highlights

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
  • Watson Farley & Williams assisted shipping start-up Neonautica with a wide range of corporate structuring, financing and commercial matters, including the potential acquisition of a French manufacturer of marine technology.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Michael Savva
2
Michael Savva
2
Band 2

Michael Savva is a well-known name who has a growing reputation in asset finance matters. He is a frequent adviser to lenders on shipping mandates and is also noted for his handling of aviation work.

"Michael Savva is very approachable, cooperative and knowledgeable."

"Michael Savva is a safe pair of hands and a key name in finance and non-contentious matters."

Natalie Jensen
3
Natalie Jensen
3
Band 3

Natalie Jensen has a growing reputation in the market and is increasingly to be seen leading much of the firm's standout work. She is a well-regarded shipping disputes lawyer whose recent matters include advice relating to sanctions, damages, collisions and allisions. She recently joined Watson Farley after leaving Ince.

"Natalie Jensen is responsive, helpful and thorough in how she responds to requests, prompt in delivering feedback and gives high-level responses quickly."

"Natalie Jensen understands her clients' needs exceptionally well and has a drive to bring matters forward in a very efficient manner."

"Natalie Jensen is a very good shipping lawyer."

Charlotte Knight
Charlotte Knight
Associates to watch

Charlotte Knight is a senior associate who earns strong praise from the firm's clients. She assists with a variety of M&A transactions in the shipping sector, as well as ship finance matters and the purchase or sale of vessels and other marine assets.

"Charlotte Knight has been very helpful. She is very much in control of the process and is good at keeping track of anything that may jeopardise timelines."

"Charlotte Knight knows her clients and the shipping sector very well."

"Charlotte Knight is an outstanding senior associate; she is hard-working and clever."

Ranked Lawyers at
Watson Farley & Williams

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

United Arab Emirates

Shipping: Dispute Resolution

Natalie Jensen
3
Natalie Jensen
3
Band 3
Shipping: Finance & Non-Contentious

Michael Savva
2
Michael Savva
2
Band 2
Charlotte Knight
Charlotte Knight
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Laura Forbes

Michael Savva

Clients

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Ahli United Bank

Bank ABC

Bank Muscat

Burgan Bank

Commercial Bank of Dubai

DVB Bank SE

First Energy Bank

Gulf Bank

Gulf International Bank B.S.C (GIB)

National Chemical Carriers (Bahri Chemicals)

National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri)

Qatar Islamic Bank

Qatar National Bank

Standard Chartered Bank

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC)

Industries

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Banks

Retail and leisure (cruise)

Transportation