Transportation: Rail & Aviation Asset Finance | Germany

Bird & Bird has a standout asset finance group that acts for a range of domestic and multinational companies. The team has a particular focus on acquisition finance and leasing transactions in the rail sector as well as significant experience in aviation mandates. Its clientele mainly consists of infrastructure funds and asset managers while also including rolling stock leasing companies, airlines and aircraft lessors. Aided by its international network, Bird & Bird is well placed to handle cross-border mandates.

Freshfields houses one of Germany's leading asset finance practice groups, particularly on the aviation side. Prominent airlines, banks, leasing companies and asset managers mandate the team for its strength in aircraft financing and refinancing, portfolio acquisitions and sale-and-leaseback transactions. The law firm is also particularly recognised for matters involving complex lease arrangements and insolvencies as well as large restructurings. Freshfields' global office network renders it a strong candidate for cross-border work.

K&L Gates remains a leading adviser to public transport companies and banks due to its excellent position in the asset finance world. The law firm enjoys an enviable market share in prominent rail sector mandates ranging from rolling stock financings and vehicle financings to acquisitions and lease transactions. The firm also boasts expertise in aviation transactions. Besides its incredible strength in advisory work, K&L Gates also represents clients in disputes. Furthermore, in conjunction with its public law department, the team regularly assists with public tender procedures, especially those concerning new mobility concepts and rail and bus transport procurements.

Norton Rose Fulbright houses a leading asset finance team in Germany with particular expertise in the aviation and rail sectors. The law firm is especially active in aviation matters, including lease agreements, large M&A transactions, aircraft acquisition financing and fleet transfers as well as restructurings. Furthermore, the department advises on rolling stock acquisition financing and lease agreements in the rail sector. Mandates concerning shipping finance transactions are also handled by the firm, with its expertise spanning international cruise ship financings, emergency financings and bond issuances. Clients equally benefit from its prowess in handling vessel acquisitions. Norton Rose Fulbright is particularly renowned among prominent national and international lenders.

A&O Shearman often assists investment funds, banks, lessors, airlines and transport companies with a variety of financing and refinancing matters. The law firm's mandates range from syndicated loans to debt and equity financings as well as lease transactions and loan portfolio deals. In conjunction with its regulatory and public law department, it handles tender review proceedings and other administrative mandates.

The internationally active law firm Ashurst offers expertise in transport asset financings, operating from its office in Frankfurt. The law firm predominantly advises lenders on the financing of rolling stock, including both freight and passenger vehicles. Banking consortiums as well as individual lenders and investors seek the law firm's assistance with asset financings in the rail sector. A further area of expertise of the law firm lies in PPP mandates.