Hall Of Fame

Firms in the Spotlight Maritime and admiralty

Montanios & Montanios LLC

Montanios & Montanios LLC logo

Montanios & Montanios (M & M) is one of the oldest law firms in Cyprus with an international practice. Over the last 67 years, it has acted for a wide spectrum of Cypriot and overseas clients, both corporate and private. It has been involved in a great number of local and international shipping corporate and …

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Maritime and admiralty in Cyprus

Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office

At the helm of the ‘very efficient and reliable’ team at Chrysses Demetriades & Co Law Office are Michael McBride and Marion Madella. The ‘committed’ and well-established team has a wealth of knowledge in shipping matters and is frequently involved in cross-border transactions. Key strengths include tax, vessel registration requirements, chartering, sale, purchase and all other issues related to shipbuilding and regulatory compliance matters. Clients include some of the world’s largest ship owning and ship management companies, in addition to various global banks, financial institutions and funds. At associate level, Nikoleta Kleovoulou specialises in shipping finance, in relation to both second-hand and new vessels.

Practice head(s):

Michael McBride; Marion Madella


Other key lawyers:

Nikoleta Kleovoulou


Testimonials

‘Chrysses Demetriades is the leading maritime firm in Cyprus with vast experience in this field of law. Michael McBride and Marion Madella who are true experts in all maritime legal matters and always provide prompt and perfect service’.

‘The collective wealth of knowledge gathered over the years in the various legal fields they specialise in. Clients should rest assured that any issues or problems arising in the course of a project or a lengthier collaboration will be resolved professionally’.

‘Knowledge in the specific field but also of the client’s business. There is always a personal touch to the professional relationship and a good sense of commerciality and the realities of the market’.

‘A landmark firm in the Cyprus shipping market and one of the two go to shipping firms in Limassol’.

‘Prompt, efficient and well versed in shipping finance knowledge. Marion Madella is very competent and responsive’.

‘Marion Madella, very experienced and efficient. Michael Mc Bride, long standing relationship, we very much appreciate his commitment and availability’.

‘Marion Madella is very experienced in ship finance work. Michael McBride has a very broad range of expertise on corporate as well as shipping matters’.

‘It is a strong and efficient team, and our preference for shipping/ship finance work in Cyprus. Michael McBride and Marion Mandella. They are very efficient and in control of the various transactions’.

Work highlights


  • Assisted a German public law institution on all matters of Cyprus law in a transfer of a loan portfolio transaction. The transaction involved, inter alia, the transfer of 8 Cyprus mortgages/deeds of covenants at the Cyprus Ships Registry.
  • Assisted certain consortiums of Scandinavian/European banks and financial institutions on all matters of Cyprus law in the restructuring of certain financing transactions, each for an amount well over EUR1bn, emerging from the prolonged cruise vessels debt holiday scheme.
  • Assisted Greek banks on all matters of Cyprus law in a transaction relating to the transfer of loan agreements and security documents emerging from the demerger effected between the two Greek banks. The transactions involved (inter alia), the preparation and filing of instruments of transfer of Cyprus law ship Mortgages/Deeds of Covenants at the Cyprus Ships and Cyprus Companies Registries.

Elias Neocleous & Co LLC

Under the leadership of Costas Stamatiou at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC, the admiralty and shipping department advises banks, owners, managers, charterers, cargo owners and their insurers on a wide range of non-contentious and contentious issues. The versatile team frequently handles all aspects of shipping operations, from shipbuilding contracts through to ship security and arrests, and also specialises in shipping litigation and admiralty proceedings. In addition, it successfully cooperates with large international law firms on a variety of complex matters such as domestic admiralty law and due diligence pertaining to Cyprus registered entities and vessels. At associate level, Andreas Christofides  and Vassilis Psyrras both play an important role in the department.

Practice head(s):

Costas Stamatiou


Other key lawyers:

Andreas Christofides; Vassilis Psyrras


Testimonials

‘I recommend Elias Neocleous & Co LLC for their unique knowledge, experience, professionalism, flexibility and extreme sensitivity in providing services. They are able to propose an out of the box solution to even the most problematic issues. We always receive advice and service of top quality’.

‘I work with Costas Stamatiou, Vassilis Psyrras and Andreas Christofides. They are very efficient, responsive and always solve problems creatively, with consideration to current commercial needs. I would highly recommend them and Elias Neocleous & Co LLC for any future legal issues’.

‘Highly experienced and hands-on professionals with a great team spirit manner; this creates trust since it ensures examination of all aspects (technical and practical) of a project. The team is able to handle special complex cases and provides integrated services at all levels’.

‘Neocelous members are innovative in their approaches, with a positive thinking, honest, friendly in all matters arising. They are always open to hear the clients’ needs, examine long-term effects of any move and advise in the most efficient way.’.

‘The shipping and admiralty practice of Elias Neocleous & Co. LLC is formed by notable practitioners and stands out for its experience in maritime matters including shipping and transport related dispute’.

‘Costas Stamatiou and the whole of the team, including Andreas Christofides and Vassilis Psyrras are excellent in analysing the facts & options and advancing our cases. They are very knowledgeable, experienced, professional and easy to work with’.

‘I have found Elias Neocleous to be thoughtful, strategic and yet practical in their advice and guidance. Very satisfied with the representation’.

‘The team has been very strategic and at the same time practical in helping me evaluate how to proceed and what to expect in Cyprus courts’.

Key clients

Abamba Limited


KKCG


Limassol Marina


Aphentrica Marine Insurance


Franman (Cyprus) Limited


Hellenic Petroleum


ISD Dunaferr


Jarillo Shipping Company Ltd


BW Shipping (formerly Bergesen Worldwide)


Argo Coral Maritime Limited


Western Maritime


Lloyds of London


Work highlights


  • Advised the Cyprus subsidiary of a German international shipping transport company on the refinancing of a number of its Cyprus registered and flagged cargo vessels.
  • Advised and represented an international shipping and transport logistics company in admiralty court proceedings against the carrier, the charterer and the manager of the vessel claiming damages as a result of its client’s cargo being damaged whilst in transit.
  • Advised a number of international ship management companies on registering and re-flagging vessels in Cyprus and on the applicability and operation of the Cypriot tonnage tax regime.

Montanios & Montanios LLC

The ‘well resourced, helpful and flexible team’ at Montanios & Montanios LLC is a ‘stand out firm in the shipping sector in Cyprus’. It is ably led by Acis Montanios and Adam Montanios along with Petros Iacovides and Yiannis Papapetrou , leveraging an excellent reputation for its work on maritime, shipping, ship financing and admiralty matters. The group has a diverse client base of high-profile local and international clients, including P&I clubs, ship owners, ship management companies and banks. In addition, the practice also represents clients in all types of contentious matters that often have complex cross-border elements and multi-jurisdictional challenges.

Practice head(s):

Acis Montanios; Adam Montanios; Petros Iacovides; Yiannis Papapetrou


Other key lawyers:

Eric Montanios; Nicolas Montanios


Testimonials

‘Nothing is too much trouble, fast response times, deep know how of the maritime laws, strong values family business with next generation joining – Nicolas Montanios (next generation )’.

‘A reputable law firm with formidable lawyers. A go to firm! Adam Montanios – Knowledgeable, practical and reliable!’.

‘Montanios & Montanios has a commercial, problem-solving attitude, responds promptly, is available after hours and offers competitive fees’.

‘Adam Montanios is very reliable, professional with good commercial knowledge of the shipping sector, and a pleasure to work with. On corporate matters, they have a problem-solving attitude and highlight the pros and cons of alternative options’.

‘Adam Montanios – is very well prepared, always tries to find best solution for the client within regulations and law. They are quick and engaged. The most different from competitors is knowledge about maritime business, maritime documentary, transparency, discretion and ability in solving issues’.

‘Responsive, knowledgeable and good to work with. Adam Montanios – very helpful and well connected. Responsive and pragmatic. Problem solver’.

‘Adam Montanios is a first class shipping lawyer and an industry leader. Nicholas Montanios is also very helpful and shows all signs of becoming an excellent shipping lawyer’.

The company’s lawyers are highly motivated to serve You with sufficient legal opinion and service. The staff is highly educated. High skills and attitude bring you comfort with Your business‘.

Key clients

Tsakos Shipping Group


Safe Bulkers Inc.


Olympia Ocean Carriers Ltd


Histria Shipmanagement Ltd


Santierul Naval Constanta S.A.


West of England P&I Club


North of England P&I Club


Steamship Mutual P&I Club


Island Oil Limited


Stena International


Baleària Eurolineas Maritimas S.A.


Sirios Shipmanagement


Bank of Cyprus


Hellenic Bank


Eurobank Cyprus


Astrobank


Work highlights


  • Advising and assisting with the purchase of a vessel, its reflagging from the Norwegian to the Cypriot flag, its subsequent sale and back-to-back bareboat chartering.
  • Advising on the sale and leaseback transaction relating to the financing of two vessels, guaranteed by an investment compartment of a Cyprus Alternative Investment Fund.
  • Assisting with the registration of a 100ft superyacht for an UHNW.

Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC

The widely experienced team at Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC acts for ship owners and managers, financial institutions and other industry related entities. It covers a broad range of contentious matters, from charter party disputes and carriage of goods by sea and cargo claims, through to advising on disputes under shipbuilding contracts and personal injury claims, in addition to those before the Admiralty Court. The group frequently advises on shipping deals and often provides legal opinions on a range of ship financing transactions. The heads of department are Menelaos Kyprianou; Tonia Antoniou; Ioanna Solomou and Peter Schodder.

Other key lawyers:

Andria Kouloumi


Testimonials

‘People are very helpful, straightforward, friendly and extremely responsive. Working with them is a great pleasure’.

‘Combining professionalism with personal support in complicated legal matters. Keeping well track of developments and acting proactively’.

‘This practice is unique in that they show a personal interest in their clients and do their best to assist in the area of commercial, maritime and personal legal’.

‘The individuals we work with give their best, in order to achieve the objective our company wishes to attain, in a professional and knowledgeable manner’.

‘I found their professionalism and business understanding to be most impressive. The team is of the highest calibre and an absolute great experience to work with. Their honesty and outstanding knowledge make them also to stand out’.

‘They were indeed truthful and pragmatic about the options we had. I would highly recommend Michael Kyprianou for legal advice in shipping-related matters’.

‘I worked with Peter and the legal team in Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC. Peter has extensive experience and deep understanding of all the technical aspects of the shipping industry. His engaging character is an added and much appreciated bonus! ‘.

‘The hardworking legal team, including Ioanna Solomou, hold the unique skill of providing high quality legal advice while understanding the business needs involved. Their experience, focused attention to detail, and legal knowledge to the matters raised were also proven to be valuable’.

Key clients

KfW IPEX-Bank GMBH


Work highlights


  • Acting as the leading local legal advisors of a major group of shipping companies and it is entrusted with all their legal, corporate and commercial, banking and finance and regulatory matters in Cyprus acting also as their representative with the Shipping Deputy Ministry.
  • Providing ongoing assistance and advice as to maritime, regulatory and compliance requirements of its client, being an important stakeholder to the maritime industry in Cyprus.

Harris Kyriakides

Nicolas Kyriakides and Michael Kyriakides co-lead the practice at Harris Kyriakides which concentrates on issues such as advising on shipbuilding agreements and the sale and financing of ships, in addition to the registration of vessels under the Cyprus flag. Other core areas of focus include representing clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Nicolas Kyriakides; Michael Kyriakides


Testimonials

‘The advantage of the firm is its reliability and the fact that they present the clients, right from the beginning a clear picture of the goal, the method to be pursued and the cost. Transparency’.

Key clients

CMMI Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute