Department profile
Watson Farley & Williams

Shipping: Finance

Europe Guide 2026 : Italy

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Watson Farley & Williams

Rankings

About

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

  • ​WFW Italian Shipping department is specialised in acting for banks and insurance institutions on all aspects of shipping finance, restructuring, workouts and insolvency. It also increasingly advises shipowners, ship operators and managers on general and specific maritime law matters, advising across the full range of corporate based matters relevant to the maritime industry, from mergers and acquisitions and private equity to general corporate and commercial matters.
  • The department advises on all matters within the industry, such as Acquisition finance, Arrest of vessels, Asset finance and infrastructure, Debt restructuring and distressed investment, Ports and terminals, Shipping finance, Maritime law, Shipping litigation, Structured finance and securitisation, Tax advice relating to shipping, Trade finance, Insolvency, Workouts.

Clients (16)

  • Commerzbank AG
  • BNP Paribas S.A.
  • McKeil Workboats Limited
  • Banca Popolare di Milano S.C. a r.l.
  • Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank
  • Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena S.p.A.
  • Coeclerici Group
  • GE Capital Interbanca S.p.A.
  • ING Bank N.V.
  • Banca IMI S.p.A.
  • Pietro Barbaro
  • Goldman Sachs
  • JP Morgan
  • ICCREA BancaImpresa
  • Viking Ocean Cruises Ltd.
  • Global Ports Holding

Industries (7)

  • Banks
  • Construction & Materials
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Utilities
  • Transportation
  • Travel & Leisure

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Shipping: Finance - Italy

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Watson Farley & Williams has a strong reputation for advising domestic and foreign banks as well as other financial institutions on all areas of shipping finance. Its expertise includes acquisitions as well as construction financing and debt restructuring mandates. The law firm assists ship owners with all manner of non-contentious maritime law issues. Its lawyers are frequently appointed to advise on cross-border matters. Thanks to the law firm's extensive network, the team often acts on mandates involving the UK, as well as European and Asian jurisdictions.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Watson Farley & Williams has experience in various shipping finance contexts, always finding precise answers and valid suggestions, which in some cases are crucial for resolving complex situations.

    Shipping: Finance respondentEurope

  • The team is extremely helpful – very skilled in negotiations and finding solutions. It has consolidated and extensive experience in managing complexities in Italy and abroad.

    Shipping: Finance respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Furio Samela
    Furio Samela

    Furio Samela

    Furio Samela is a highly accomplished lawyer providing expert advice to banks, financial institutions and shipping companies in relation to financing, including acquisition financing.

    • Furio is a well-rounded partner with extensive international experience who is accustomed to managing particularly complex situations. He assists numerous international clients.

      Shipping: Finance respondentEurope

    • Furio Samela demonstrates excellent expertise, as well as highly commendable interpersonal skills in terms of availability and flexibility.

      Shipping: Finance respondentEurope
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  • Michele Autuori
    Michele Autuori

    Michele Autuori

    Michele Autuori is proficient in handling financing and acquisition mandates in the shipping sector, with both contentious and non-contentious elements.

    • Michele has great competencies in this specific sector, is always very available and knows how to deal with complex matters. He helps us with some very complex work.

      Shipping: Finance respondentEurope

    • Michele Autuori repeatedly demonstrates excellent expertise, as well as highly commendable interpersonal skills in terms of availability and flexibility.

      Shipping: Finance respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at Watson Farley & Williams (2)

Italy

Members

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Watson Farley & Williams has rankings in the following guides

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