WFW Asia Pacific success in Marine Money ‘Deal Of the Year’ Awards30 April 2020

The market-first ECA East Marine Money Deal of the Year saw WFW acting for a syndicate of lenders as lead counsel in relation to a US$193m syndicated loan facility which partially refinances the acquisition by the subsidiaries of CMB Financial Leasing of the two largest container vessels in the world. The award positions WFW at the forefront of collaborative transactions involving a combination of commercial lenders, ECA financiers and Chinese leasing houses.

The sector-first Leasing West Marine Money Deal of the Year was a 20-vessel transaction, which involved CMB Financial Leasing and western shipping major Stolt-Nielsen utilising the flexibility of a Chinese leasing structure to “dream big” as Marine Money remarks.

The Leasing East Marine Money Deal of the Year saw WFW acting for MUFG Bank, Ltd, Hong Kong Branch and Standard Chartered Bank, Tokyo Branch on a US$185.2m financing in respect of two 13,000 TEU container vessels for Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., advising on one of the world’s first completed Japanese operating lease financing for vessels which involved a Chinese leasing company. As noted by Marine Money on this deal win, “arranging equity for a leasing company on a vintage vessel project of such a sizeable volume was a major challenge”. This transaction again demonstrates the WFW team’s pre-eminent position in Asia and depth of expertise in the maritime leasing sector.

WFW Hong Kong Office Head Madeline Leong commented: “The recognition in the market of these important transactions highlights the strength of our team and our reputation as technical experts in the maritime space in Asia Pacific”.

WFW Singapore Office Head Goh Mei Lin added: “I am immensely proud of our teams in Asia and the recognition of the maritime leasing work that we do. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with our clients on such noteworthy transactions”.