Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised on eight separate deals which have been recognised at the Marine Money Deal of the Year Awards 2023.
"These deals have quite rightly been recognised as being among the most significant of the year, and we congratulate our clients for their success" said Ian Mace, global head of maritime finance, Stephenson Harwood. "Being instructed to advise on such innovative and strategically significant deals is a testament to the skill and dedication of our teams. Transportation and trade is an area in which we have genuine strength and breadth of expertise, and our client roster, as well as the complexity and scale of the matters on which they instruct us, is testament to this."
Leasing Deal of the Year
The firm advised Yildirim Group on the refinancing of ten chemical/oil product tankers and four general cargo vessels with a US$75 million financial lease. This deal was led by Singapore-based partner Jeffrey Tanner.
Structured Finance Deal of the Year
The firm advised the lenders regarding Höegh LNG's US$685 million senior secured credit facility. This deal was led by London-based partner and global head of maritime finance Ian Mace.
Project Finance East Deal of the Year
The firm advised an affiliate of BW LNG Limited in relation to the US$145 million secured financing of the high-profile asset BW Batangas, a floating storage and regasification unit deployed in the Philippines. This deal was led by Singapore-based partner Gregg Johnston.
Structured Finance East Deal of the Year
The firm advised ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch and Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited on a sustainability-linked loan to part finance the order by South Korean shipping and logistics company HMM Co., Ltd. for twelve 13,000 TEU LNG-ready containerships. This deal was led by Singapore-based partner Gregg Johnston.
ESG East Deal of the Year
The firm advised ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank on a US$160 million sustainability-linked loan. The loan, which was made available to a subsidiary of BW Epic Kosan Ltd., was secured to refinance 19 vessels for up to US$140 million, alongside an acquisition line of US$20 million to finance potential growth opportunities. This deal was led by Singapore-based partner Pedram Norton.
Leasing East Deal of the Year
The firm acted as the global lessor counsel in the Global Meridian Holdings sale and leaseback of 14 LNG newbuilds to be chartered to QatarEnergy in a $1.88 billion deal. This deal was led by London-based partner Jonathan Ward.
M&A East Deal of the Year
The firm advised on the strategic merger of Asia Maritime Pacific and Hamburg Bulk Carriers to form Cetus Maritime. The work was carried out in Singapore by the corporate finance team with support from the shipping and offshore finance team.
Yacht Financing Deal of the Year
The firm advised The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection on a US$1 billion Buyers Credit Facility for two ultra luxury yachts. This deal was led by Paris-based partner Alain Gautron.
