Alexandros Damianidis
Partner Athens
Alexandros is a Partner in the Assets & Structured Finance Group.
Alexandros’ practice focusses on advising major international banks on shipping finance transactions, including sale and leaseback structures, as well as restructuring and work-out situations and handling inter-creditor and subordination arrangements in relation to every type of vessel. He also advises shipping companies on the sale and purchase of vessels, negotiating shipbuilding contracts and refund guarantees, joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements, as well as debt and equity arrangements.
Alexandros also represents lenders on the financing of commercial and leisure aircraft, including aircraft registrations and mortgages in Greece, as well as financing of yachts.
Alexandros is recognised as a leading shipping finance lawyer in the Greek market by legal directories Chambers Europe and Chambers Global. Chambers highlights that he is well placed to advise on commercial shipping matters including vessel acquisition financing, debt refinancing and the provision of corporate loans to shipping companies. Clients told Chambers that “Alexandros Damianidis has deep knowledge of shipping transactions and is calm under pressure.”
He is qualified both in Greece and in England & Wales.
- Advising Piraeus Bank on its first US$16.85m sustainability-linked loan to a subsidiary of the Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.
- Advising Piraeus Bank on the acquisition of a circa US$265m portfolio of 26 bilateral loan facilities from HSBC Bank.
- Assisted HSBC Bank plc in relation to a US$80,000,000 loan facility to ten Star Bulk entities to refinance indebtedness and provide working capital in respect of 10 bulk carrier vessels.
- Acting for a Dutch bank in relation to a US$100,000,000 loan facility to four entities of [a major Greek shipping company] to refinance indebtedness secured over four VLCCs.
- Acting for a US fund in relation to a lease financing of a bulk carrier vessel by Greek interests to assist with the acquisition of the vessel from Japanese owners.
- Assisting a Japanese bank in relation to a US$62,000,000 loan facility to a major Greek shipping company to assist with the acquisition of a VLCC.
- Advising BCC Iccrea Bank on a financing to Greek maritime company Nemeca Z Maritime Company for its acquisition of tugs DIONYSIOS Z and STRATOS Z, from Dionysios Z Maritime Company and Stratos Z Maritime Company respectively, both part of the Zouros Group, as well as a number of smaller assets.
- Advising Cosmote S.A., a 100% subsidiary of OTE S.A., on a €300m loan financing package provided by the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Education
- 1998 – 1999 · LL.M., Commercial and Corporate Law | King’s College London
- 1995 – 1998 · LL.B., Law | University of Essex
memberships & associations
- 2003 · England & Wales
- 2000 · Piraeus Bar Association
