The Legal 500

Noted for its ‘excellent service, industry knowledge and appropriate advice’, AKD is mainly known for representing owner companies. In transport and logistics, it handles aviation incidents and acts for international hauliers and the management company of the Dutch railway system. Haco van der Houven van Oordt and newly promoted partner Jan Kromhout are ‘bright, enthusiastic and have excellent client relationship management skills’. Counsel Frans de Vries Lentsch is also recommended.

Van Traa Advocaten handles international trade, transport, logistics and insurance matters. It is well known for its ship and maritime disputes work, and the practice has been also been involved in litigation regarding the Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 crash. Clients include insurers, airlines, trading and warehousing companies.

Boonk Van Leeuwen’s transport and trade team includes Johan Smit, who handles shipping contracts and disputes work. Herman Boonk is a well-known specialist in maritime and transport matters.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is well reputed for its aviation work, with practice head Berend Crans handling aircraft finance and leasing for FirstRand Bank and RBS Aerospace. The ‘accurate and convincing’ Menno Stoffer acted on financing and acquisitions in the railway sector.

Transport and trade law firm Wiersma Van Campen Vos provides a ‘very dedicated service’, particularly on trade finance matters. The name partners ‘know the law very well but also know how the industry works; they are not afraid to provide commercial solutions’. Recent highlights include restructuring, recovery work and litigation.

‘A very professional firm with in-depth knowledge of all related legal matters’, Allen & Overy LLP recently advised KLM on regulatory issues. Ben Fox is ‘a good drafter, pragmatic in terms of legal issues, and very strong in process management’. He acts for banks, shipping, transport and aviation companies on financing matters.

Niche firm Cox Ten Bruggencate Advocaten focuses on transport, logistics, international trade, insurance and liability. Clients include Allianz, DSV and Generali. Joeri Cox and Carlijn ten Bruggencate advise an international logistics service provider on claims defence and contracts. The team also advises liability underwriters on international damage claims.

Kneppelhout & Korthals NV’s team provides expertise across a broad range of matters including customs and regulations, international trade, shipping and logistics. Recent work includes disputes, contracts and due diligence on acquisitions. Key contacts include Marc Padberg and Wibe Reddingius.

Loyens & Loeff is highly regarded for its ‘excellent’ ship financing work, with both Gianluca Kreuze and Willem Jarigsma noted for their strong negotiating skills. It also focuses on regulatory matters regarding transportation and advises seaports on financing and transactions. Clients include Rabobank, ABN AMRO, Arriva/Deutsche Bahn and government municipalities.

NautaDutilh recently advised Garanti Bank and ING on ship financings, and also acted for VLM Airlines on its takeover by Air France-KLM. Erik Geerling leads the team from Rotterdam.

Smallegange N.V. is well regarded for its maritime and shipping law expertise. The team displays ‘a desire to resolve matters as swiftly as possible; when a fight in court is needed, they are serious and focused’. Richard Latten is ‘an excellent lawyer, expert in his field’, Jan van der Stelt is ‘a specialist in ocean hull claims’, and Pieter-Frank van Dam is simply ‘brilliant’.

Van Steenderen Mainport Lawyers provides ‘superb industry knowledge with appropriate and straight-to-the-point advice’. Cargo, shipping and maritime matters are key areas of expertise, with clients including GE Artesia Bank and WindAgain. Arnold van Steenderen has ‘good sensitivity to what clients want’. Marieke van den Dool and associate Judith van der Vlies make ‘a great team to have on your side, and understand what a client’s business is all about’. Jasper Groen is also recommended.