Ship and offshore finance

Regarded as one of the leading ship finance firms in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Our award-winning ship finance team is recognised for its commerciality and its ability to solve problems using innovative financing structures.
  • Profile
  • Experience
  • Key contacts

Our reputation is based on a strong track record of transactions for clients, who include nearly all the major international banks which are active in the shipping market. Our lawyers have experience of acting for arrangers, lenders, ship owners and offshore service providers – which means that they are familiar with issues on all sides of the table. The team also acts in the private equity space.

Being specialists in the shipping sector means that we are also regularly advising our clients on refinancings and restructurings. Our role ranges from providing strategic advice on handling problem loans from the time issues first emerge, through to workouts and enforcements.

With some 100 specialist lawyers spread across all our offices, we have one of the world's leading shipping and offshore finance practices.

We can help you with:

  • ship finance - including ship sale and purchase, shipbuilding contracts, ship registration, construction and operation
  • restructuring / workouts
  • UK and European tax leasing
  • construction and financing of private yachts
  • Islamic finance
  • international trade
  • offshore and energy
  • UK tonnage tax
  • tax structuring and tax investigations.

"They are commercial, hard-working, very skilled and knowledgeable."

Chambers UK 2022

Deutsche Bank AG, $1.2 billion loan for 12 container ships

Advised on a multi-tranche syndicated K-sure backed loan facility for the partial financing of seven 14,500 and five 18,800 TEU container ships for wholly-owned subsidiaries of United Arab Shipping Company.

Deutsche Bank AG lenders in a US Chapter 11 restructuring case

We advised the lenders of a US$253 million syndicated facility for Genco Shipping & Trading Limited who filed for a US Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization. Our team led the successful Chapter 11 exit without any loss of capital for the client.

Tax project transfer of 250 secured loan facilities

We advised on the transfer of 250 secured loan facilities secured against shipping, offshore and energy related assets with combined total commitments of US$16 billion.

DVB Bank America N.V. senior multi-tranche facility

We advised the bank on a US$1.32 billion senior multi-tranche facility made available to a Norwegian drilling company with ECA support to finance the construction of two semi-submersible rigs.

DNB Bank ASA revolving credit facility for a special investment vehicle

We acted for the agent of a syndicate of banks for a US$300 million revolving credit facility to a newly incorporated special investment vehicle created to capitalise on the tanker market surge by acquiring and operating tanker vessels.

Export credit agency backed tranches and commercial bank tranche with pooled security

We represented lenders of three facilities financing the Bonny Gas Transport purchase of six liquefied natural gas vessels. The complex financing arrangements involved two separate export credit agency backed tranches and a commercial bank tranche with pooled security.

DNB Bank ASA and Mizuho Corporate Bank

We acted for both banks for the US$608 million restructuring of the 2011 joint venture vehicle established by Teekay Corporation and Marubeni Corporation for the acquisition of AP Moeller-Maersk's LNG shipping business.

HSH Nordbank leading shipping Chapter 11 restructuring case

We acted for HSH Nordbank and syndicate lenders on this leading Chapter 11 shipping case concerning claims against Omega Navigation Enterprises for their default under a syndicated loan facility secured against eight product tanker vessels owned by Omega subsidiaries.

Export-import Asian bank sale and leaseback deal

We acted on a $1 billion post-delivery loan to a subsidiary of a financial leasing company for the acquisition of 51 vessels to be bareboat chartered to the Bourbon Offshore Group of France.

Joint venture international private equity planning

We advised a tax-efficient joint venture between a ship owner and operator and a leading global investment firm, formed to invest in the shipping sector through the acquisition of vessels that are the subject of distressed loan facilities.

Lawyer

Alain Gautron Partner

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

Lawyer

Gregg Johnston Partner

T:  +65 6226 1600
M:  Email Gregg | Vcard Office:  Singapore

Lawyer

Ian Mace Global head of ship finance

T:  +44 20 7809 2653
M:  +44 7827 353 109 Email Ian | Vcard Office:  London

Latest news & insights

22 Aug 2023

From Insights

The United Nations Convention on the International Effects of the Judicial Sale of Ships

The shipping industry has for years encountered issues with the recognition of the judicial sale of ships by a foreign court.

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01 Jun 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises Nordea Bank on US$350 million credit facility

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Nordea Bank Abp, New York Branch, on a US$350 million secured revolving credit facility provided to Teekay Tankers Ltd.

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30 May 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises on US$117 million loan facility to Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised a leading global bank on a US$117 million loan facility. The facility is in relation to the financing of seven tanker vesse..

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25 May 2023

From News

Four lawyers featured in Spear's Magazine's 2023 rankings

Stephenson Harwood senior partner Roland Foord, partners Kiersten Lucas and Ezio Dal Maso, and consultant Neil Noble have been included in Spear's Magazine's 2023 'Emp..

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18 May 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises on award-winning deal

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP recently advised on SHUAA Capital's acquisition of Allianz Middle East Ship Management, which won 'Offshore Deal of the Year – East' at..

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16 May 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood wins shipping and transport law firm of the year award

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has won the 'Shipping and Transport – Law firm of the year' award at The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards.

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14 Apr 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises Straitsman Limited on passenger ferry sale

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised Straitsman Limited, a subsidiary of New Zealand-based StraitsNZ Limited (StraitsNZ), on the sale of a Ro-Ro/Passeng..

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02 Mar 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises on US$685 million syndicated loan

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB), in its role as agent on behalf of a syndicate of finance parties, on..

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26 Jan 2023

From News

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advises Seapeak on US$700 million acquisition

Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has advised Seapeak LLC (Seapeak) on a US$700 million enterprise value all-cash acquisition of Evergas from Jaccar Holdings (Ja..

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13 Dec 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises Global Chartering Limited on US$30 million loan facility

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Global Chartering Limited (GCL) in relation to a US$30 million loan facility from BNP Paribas (BNPP).

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12 Dec 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises BNP Paribas on financing for ECA-backed JOLCOs

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised BNP Paribas, a long-standing client, on the financing of two ECA-backed Japanese Operating Leases with Call Options (JOLCOs..

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04 Apr 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises on award-winning ship finance deal

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP recently advised on a ship lease finance deal which has been recognised at the Marine Money Deal of the Year Awards 2021.

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30 Mar 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises Nordea Bank on US$415 million loan financing

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Nordea Bank in connection with a US$415 million sustainability linked loan agreement, made available to the Stolt Tankers g..

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17 Feb 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises longstanding client on Tankoa motor yacht sale

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised a longstanding private client on the sale of 'Bintador', a 50 metre Tankoa Boat International award winning motor yacht.

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27 Jan 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises DNB Bank on US$154 million deal

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised DNB Bank ASA (“DNB”) in connection with a US$154 million secured term loan advanced to a joint venture vehicle established ..

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10 Jan 2022

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises MPC Container Ships on US$180 million deal

Stephenson Harwood has advised MPC Container Ships (MPCC) on its US$180 million credit facility from Hamburg Commercial Bank comprising a US$130 million term loan and ..

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