Chris Vartzis
Partner - Head of Maritime, Trade and Offshore Finance, Athens
Chris Vartzis is a Partner and Stephenson Harwood’s Head of Greece Maritime Finance. A dual-qualified lawyer (England & Wales and Greece).
Partner - Head of Maritime, Trade and Offshore Finance, Athens
Chris Vartzis is a Partner and Stephenson Harwood’s Head of Greece Maritime Finance. A dual-qualified lawyer (England & Wales and Greece).
Languages - Greek, English
Chris Vartzis is a recognised authority on ship, yacht, and asset finance, advising global banks, leasing houses, financial institutions, export credit agencies, shipowners, and private clients on the financing of all types of vessels — from commercial vessels to superyachts and megayachts — as well as corporate aircrafts.
Acting for both lenders and borrowers, Chris is known for his commercial acumen, international perspective, and ability to structure and deliver complex cross-border financings. His standing as a leading ship finance lawyer is reflected in the repeated endorsements he receives from Legal 500 and Chambers Global.
In addition to his high profile in the Greek market, Chris also has a long-standing presence in the Turkish market, where he regularly advises shipowners, diversified conglomerates, and banks.
Chris advises on the full spectrum of asset finance transactions, including bilateral and syndicated loan facilities, sale and leasebacks, restructurings and work-outs, ECA-backed financings, IPO-linked mandates, as well as intercreditor and subordination arrangements. He has deep experience in the financing of newbuilding projects — particularly in Japan, South Korea, PRC, and Vietnam — including the negotiation of shipbuilding contracts and the structuring of refund guarantees.
In parallel, Chris is widely active in the superyacht and megayacht sector, guiding both private clients and financiers on financings, newbuild projects, and S&P transactions. His work covers all stages of the transaction lifecycle — from structuring and negotiation through to delivery and closing.
Based in Athens, Chris has a well-established presence in one of the world’s most significant and sophisticated shipping markets. He advises a broad range of Greek shipowning groups, Greek banks, and international banks and financial institutions active in the region. His close integration with the local market and deep sector insight enable him to support clients with clarity, precision, and strong commercial judgement across a wide range of mandates.
Chris also has a long-standing and prominent profile in the Turkish market, where he is frequently the first point of contact for international clients seeking market insight and legal expertise. He is well known among Turkish shipowners and banks for his ability to connect counterparties and deliver complex financings, newbuildings, and S&P deals with precision and commercial awareness.
Chris represents a diverse client base of international and regional banks, financial institutions, and shipping groups — not only in Greece and Turkey, but also in Bulgaria, Croatia, and Norway. His role frequently involves coordinating multi-jurisdictional teams and advising on high-value, time-sensitive transactions that demand technical excellence and strategic foresight.
Known for his deep sector expertise, responsiveness, and collaborative approach, Chris plays a key leadership role in the development of Stephenson Harwood’s maritime finance offering in the region and is consistently recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers Global for his contribution to the field.
Financing of NASDAQ - Listed Group
Advised a systemic Greek bank on a US$125 million secured term loan facility to a NASDAQ-listed group for the refinancing of indebtedness across 17 vessels and the provision of liquidity for bond redemption. The transaction involved complex structuring, negotiation under tight timelines, and coordination of multiple vessel jurisdictions and closings.Bespoke RCF
Advised a Dutch bank on a US$50 million secured revolving credit facility to a NASDAQ-listed company. The deal required bespoke structuring of utilisation criteria, heavy negotiation of financial covenants, and drafting of a full suite of ship finance security documentation governed by the legal jurisdictions of England, Marshall Islands, and Liberia.Syndicated Facility Refinancing
Advised on a US$77.5 million syndicated loan facility for the refinancing of existing indebtedness. The transaction involved complex negotiation dynamics, coordination among multiple stakeholders, and management of cross-border security across Liberian and Marshall Islands jurisdictions. Also included intensive negotiation of sanctions and oil price cap provisions.Sustainability-Linked Secured
Advised a Greek bank on its first sustainability-linked loan facility to two SPCs. Provided detailed input on the drafting and negotiation of provisions to ensure compliance with internal ESG and regulatory frameworks. Guided both lender and borrower teams through the mechanics and operational aspects of the facility.Shipping Loan Portfolio Transfer
Advised on the transfer of a US$135 million shipping loan portfolio, acting for two Dutch banks in connection with a series of coordinated facility transfers from an international bank. Successfully navigated novated obligations, borrower consents, alongside with intercreditor considerations across multiple obligors, vessels and jurisdictions.Syndicated Financing and Lender Restructuring
Advised a German bank on a syndicated loan facility secured in favour of all lenders (in lieu of a security agent). Managed the restructuring of lender participations, reallocation of security, and amendments reflecting changes in the borrower’s shareholding and joint venture structure. Drafted bespoke provisions to ensure all filed parties were formally bound by the full security package.Sale and Leaseback Transactions
Advised lessees and holding companies as English legal counsel in the context of two sale and leaseback transactions totalling US$183.5 million with two major Chinese leasing houses. Negotiated bareboat charters, MOAs, and security documentation to enhance lessee position, and coordinated phased closings, drawdowns, and newbuilding vessel deliveries.Superyacht Acquisition Financing
Advised an international financial institution on the financing of a high-value superyacht acquisition by a Turkish-based client. The matter involved coordination of legal, regulatory, tax, and operational frameworks across several jurisdictions, and was delivered under a compressed timeline with precisely structured documentation and seamless execution.
