Shipping finance

Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Client Satisfaction

Watson Farley & Williams LLP is a key port of call for ship owners, operators, and major financial institutions on all aspects of ship finance, including leasing, tax, corporate matters, and litigation. Co-head Alexia Russell harnesses expertise in asset finance, leasing, and project finance, leading the team alongside Laurence Martinez-Bellet, a cross-border transactional expert. Martinez-Bellet also specialises in ECA and DFI-backed transactions, while Philippe Monfort advises on the cross-border aspects of financing transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team is responsive, easy to access, and very efficient. They provide good advice and take care of all aspects of the documentation. The team knows their business well in maritime finance consulting.'
‘Philippe Monfort is very present, patient, and trustworthy. Alexia Russel defends the interests of her clients very well and is very available.’
'They have the ability to manage several complex workflows.'
'Cross-broader collaboration. Vast knowledge and customer orientated.'
'Alexia Russell is thoughtful and calm while providing helpful advice. The associates on Alexia's team are responsive and get the job done.'
'They have great knowledge of the subject matter. They are very responsive to customers and are supportive.'

Key clients

Atlante Gestion
BNP Paribas
CIC
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
Crédit Mutuel Impact
CVC DIF
RIVE Private Investment
SACE S.p.A
Société Générale
The Korea Development Bank

Work highlights

Advising Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and a syndicate of nine banks on pre and post-delivery loan facilities granted to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. for the acquisition of four new class cruise vessels currently under construction at Italian shipyard Fincantieri S.p.A.
Advising Crédit Industriel et Commercial, Crédit Mutuel Impact, and Atlante Gestion on an innovative structure for the financing of six new sailing cargo ships for TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport), a French company that is a pioneer in low-carbon shipping.
Advising CVC DIF on the tax matters relating to the shipping finance and project documents in connection with its sale of a 29% stake in France LNG Shipping (FLS) to Ocean Yield AS owned by KKR.