Transportation: Shipping: Finance | Germany

The boutique law firm Ehlermann Rindfleisch Gadow is renowned for its exquisite strength in ship financing mandates. The team often acts for domestic and international investment funds and banks on the financing of vessel acquisitions and the construction of newbuilds as well as loan agreements and sale-and-leaseback transactions. Further strengths lie in refinancings and debt and financial restructurings. Back-to-back bareboat financings are also handled by the firm, as are other contractual shipping issues. Leasing and shipping companies as well as ship owners also belong to Ehlermann Rindfleisch Gadow's excellent client base. The practice is additionally equipped to advise on the negotiation of shipbuilding contracts and various transactional matters, in addition to handling both shipping arbitration and litigation.

Watson Farley & Williams houses a highly reputed shipping finance practice based in Hamburg. The team is held in high esteem by prestigious and often international banks for its expertise across the full spectrum of shipping finance. Large refinancings, ship acquisition finance and sale-and-leaseback transactions are regularly handled by the firm. Other areas of expertise include fleet financings, vessel sales and portfolio leasing transactions as well as open lease structures. Clients, which also include private equity funds and investors, benefit from the law firm's international network, allowing the effective handling of cross-border mandates. The firm also has a notable offering for general shipping matters, advising shipping groups on acquiring chemical tankers and container ships.

ARNECKE SIBETH DABELSTEIN boasts a highly regarded shipping practice with a strong offering in disputes. The law firm's particular areas of expertise include collisions, salvage and arrests as well as liability issues. The team often represents shipbuilders, insurance companies and operators as well as transport companies. ARNECKE SIBETH DABELSTEIN houses strength in shipping insurance matters, including P&I issues and special coverage concepts. Its lawyers also regularly appear in litigation and arbitration, including employment and union-related disputes for shipping clients. The practice complements its offering with transactional and commercial matters in the maritime industry, including chartering and shipbuilding contracts.

CMS offers expertise across the full spectrum of shipping law. Its team represents shipping companies, investment funds and banks. The law firm evidences a solid track record in complex shipping litigation, concerning issues such as collision or delivery failure as well as contract disputes. In addition, the law firm advises on a range of shipping transactions, covering tender procedures as well as emergency financings. Its strength in asset financings in the rail sector further boosts the law firm's offering. With its international office network, CMS is also well placed to assist with cross-border work.