Asset Finance: Shipping Finance | UK

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.

Stephenson Harwood has an impressive asset finance practice with ability across shipping, rail and aviation matters. The firm's notable rail finance practice advises on rolling stock procurement and leasing structures. It handles strong shipping finance work with international banks and ship owners on tax leasing, restructurings and ship sale and purchase. The firm's experience in aviation deals includes financing for passenger and freight aircraft. It is also noted for its counsel on complex plant and machinery financings.

HFW has an experienced practice with significant expertise in shipping finance matters in addition to its aviation finance offering. Its clients include shipyards, owners, operators and financial institutions. The firm excels in operational and technical issues, and maintains particular expertise in the offshore, yacht, cruise and LNG sectors.

Reed Smith has a notable shipping practice that works with private equity funds and financial institutions on offshore and shipping finance matters. The firm offers expertise in areas including shipbuilding-related financing issues and loan portfolio transactions. Its noteworthy aviation practice has experience advising on the refinancing and acquisition of loans, advising on the sale or lease of engines and general aircraft transactions. The firm maintains a global practice, with a network of offices in Singapore, Germany, New York and Hong Kong.

A&O Shearman has a market-leading asset finance practice with outstanding capability across aviation finance, with additional capacity in shipping and rail finance matters. The firm advises clients on sophisticated structures, including EETCs, JOLCOs and ECA-backed bonds. It regularly works with banks and corporates on industry-leading deals. The firm is acclaimed for its well-rounded practice and its ability to provide parallel services relating to tax, litigation and restructuring. It is adept at handling Islamic financing products in the aviation sector.

Brodies is an experienced and well-known firm based in Scotland. Its clients include both banks and operators, whom it advises on the acquisition, leasing, financing and refinancing of shipping assets.

Linklaters fields a strong asset finance practice in the shipping sector. The firm regularly acts on behalf of lenders, banks and investment funds on a range of financing matters, including portfolio acquisitions, lease and purchase agreements, and credit facilities. It is also experienced handling restructuring and Chapter 11 filings. It also has some notable lawyers in the aviation space.

Wikborg Rein is internationally recognised for its specialist expertise in shipping and offshore finance. The firm advises financiers, owners and contractors on vessel financing, sale and purchase, and shipbuilding. The firm is noted for its specialism in financing LNG projects.