Contact details

Alain Gautron

T: +33 1 44 15 80 72 Email Alain | vCard Office: Paris

Awards

Shipping: Finance

Shipping: Finance

Winner - The i-law Maritime Law Award

Winner - The i-law Maritime Law Award

Alain Gautron Partner

Contact details

Alain Gautron

Alain Gautron
Partner

T: +33 1 44 15 80 72 Email Alain | vCard Office: Paris

Alain is a highly established figure in France's banking and finance sector, with vast experience working on asset finance matters. Ranked as the number one ship finance lawyer in France by the leading legal directories, he also works on all aspects relating to the transportation industry. Alain was conferred Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Martime (Knight of the Order of Merit (Maritime)) by a government decree of 19th October 2020.
  • Profile
  • Services
  • Sectors

Alain acts predominantly in the field of asset finance (ships, corporate jets, industrial equipment, rolling stock), project finance, tax leasing, export credits, acquisition finance, securitisation and commodities financing.

He has extensive experience advising banks and other financing institutions, leasing companies, sponsors and operators.

A significant part of Alain’s practice involves the structuring of complex tax-based leasing structures. He has spearheaded the development of these types of products in the French legal market.

In addition to his banking and finance expertise, Alain covers all aspects of the transportation industry including regulatory, acquisitions and restructurings.

Alain is lauded by clients for being "very business-oriented, trying to find solutions when problems occur." Chambers Global 2015.

Alain speaks English and French and is a member of the Paris, New York and Manitoba (Canada) bars. He has also contributed to the fourth edition of the leading ship finance industry handbook, Shipping Finance.

Alain Gautron has a respected shipping finance practice and is highly regarded for his expertise in French tax lease financing. He represents banks, cruise lines and shipowners. Clients commend his "deep knowledge of the sector, the market players and their needs." 
Chambers Europe 2021

  • Shipping
  • Finance
  • Project finance
  • Ship and offshore finance
  • Banking and financial services regulation

French cruise operator

Advised the cruise operator on the financing of two new vessels and 2 second hand vessels by way of French tax lease. The two new vessels benefited from SACE Export Credit based on an innovative financial structure between France and Italy.

French banks

Advised four different groups of banks that were awarded mandates to finance eight handymax size vessels. The four transactions regrouping two vessels each were a mix of instalment pre-construction financing, senior loan facilities, operating leases (then converted into tax leases) and French tax leases.

North European bank

Advised the bank relating to a 6 vessel facility in the midst of a court-lead restructuring. Successfully negotiated the exit of the bank with ownership of the assets.

More: Shipping

US equipment manufacturer

Advised on the French law aspects of a European multi-national leasing programme set up by US company. This matter covered various structural, finance and regulatory aspects under French law.

French transportation company

Advised on the tax efficient financing of a corporate jet for the use by company executives.

French telecommunications company

Advised the holding company with respect to the financial and corporate reorganisation of the group and the resulting repackaging and re-financing of the assets.

More: Finance

Tram Tiss

Advised the sponsor and their financial advisors on a rail infrastructure and rolling stock project intended to circumnavigate most of the Island of la Réunion.

French sponsoring consortium

Advised the consortium for the renovation and operation of a City of Paris public theatre, the first PPP for the City of Paris.

Foreign port operator and shipowner

Advised the operator for the extension of part of the Havre container port facilities and the related financing.

European bank pool

Advised the banks on the financing of the development of the gas discharge facilities for the port in Mayotte.

More: Project finance

French cruise operator

Advised the cruise operator on the financing of two new vessels and 2 second hand vessels by way of French tax lease. The two new vessels benefited from SACE Export Credit based on an innovative financial structure between France and Italy.

French banks

Advised four different groups of banks that were awarded mandates to finance eight handymax size vessels. The four transactions regrouping two vessels each were a mix of instalment pre-construction financing, senior loan facilities, operating leases (then converted into tax leases) and French tax leases.

North European bank

Advised the bank relating to a 6 vessel facility in the midst of a court-lead restructuring. Successfully negotiated the exit of the bank with ownership of the assets.

More: Ship and offshore finance

European bank

Advised on bank regulatory issues for a foreign bank established in France, including providing advice on issues concerning the Bank of France, banking regulations relating to changes in corporate governance and capital risk requirement calculations.

Asian bank

Advised on European passporting issues into France with respect to a non-French banking entity wishing to enter into French regulated banking activities.

Financing subsidiary

Advised on French banking licencing regulations. Alain also assisted with the licence application for a US subsidiary wishing to establish a finance subsidiary in France to support their equipment sales program.

French cooperative bank 

Advised a group of French banks in connection with the financing of port equipment and cranes secured by a series of public concession agreements and equipment pledges.

German/French bank pool

Advised the bank pool in connection with the financing of rolling stock to be used in Germany by a French rail operator.

European bank pool

Advised the banks on the securitisation of medium-term commercial contracts receivables in the shipbuilding industry.

More: Banking and financial services regulation
  • Banks and banking
  • Marine
  • Rail and road

European bank

Advised on bank regulatory issues for a foreign bank established in France, including providing advice on issues concerning the Bank of France, banking regulations relating to changes in corporate governance and capital risk requirement calculations.

Asian bank

Advised on European passporting issues into France with respect to a non-French banking entity wishing to enter into French regulated banking activities.

Financing subsidiary

Advised on French banking licencing regulations. Alain also assisted with the licence application for a US subsidiary wishing to establish a finance subsidiary in France to support their equipment sales program.

French cooperative bank

Advised a group of French banks in connection with the financing of port equipment and cranes secured by a series of public concession agreements and equipment pledges.

German/French bank pool

Advised the bank pool in connection with the financing of rolling stock to be used in Germany by a French rail operator.

European bank pool

Advised the banks on the securitisation of medium-term commercial contracts receivables in the shipbuilding industry.

More: Banks and banking

French cruise operator

Advised the cruise operator on the financing of two new vessels and 2 second hand vessels by way of French tax lease. The two new vessels benefited from SACE Export Credit based on an innovative financial structure between France and Italy.

French banks

Advised four different groups of banks that were awarded mandates to finance eight handymax size vessels. The four transactions regrouping two vessels each were a mix of instalment pre-construction financing, senior loan facilities, operating leases (then converted into tax leases) and French tax leases.

North European bank

Advised the bank relating to a 6 vessel facility in the midst of a court-lead restructuring. Successfully negotiated the exit of the bank with ownership of the assets.

More: Marine

German/French bank pool

Advised the bank pool in connection with the financing of rolling stock to be used in Germany by a French rail operator.

Tram Tiss

Advised the sponsor and their financial advisors on a rail infrastructure and rolling stock project intended to circumnavigate most of the Island of la Réunion.

TER regional trains

Advised the competing banks on their bid for the financing of French regional trains in the Champagne region, the Centre region and the Toulouse tramway.

More: Rail and road

Awards

Shipping: Finance

Shipping: Finance

Winner - The i-law Maritime Law Award

Winner - The i-law Maritime Law Award

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.