With a footing in Madrid and Vigo, the shipping practice at Avante Legal features ‘prestigious and specialised lawyers‘, and is regularly sought out by insurance companies, P&I clubs and shipowners seeking assistance in a broad range of issues. Julio López Quiroga, who has ‘perfect understanding of business needs and strategy‘, draws on over 30 years of shipping experience to lead the team, with frequent involvement in issues relating to collisions, pollution, charter-party agreements and bill of lading disputes. Dividing his time between Madrid and Vigo, Antonio Quiros specialises in casualty and maritime insurance work, a field of expertise shared by Vigo-based partner Jacobo Tojeiro, an expert in fines, preventive seizures and towage matters as they relate to maritime casualties. Hannah De Bustos is a standout from the associate ranks for dispute resolution.
Transport: Shipping in Spain
Avante Legal
Testimonials
‘The in-depth study of each issue looking for the best way to address it. Great negotiation skills aimed at achieving the best results, which always exceed expectations.’
‘Specialisation, speed of response, availability and personalised treatment by the partners. Technical rigor.’
‘The specialisation and great experience of the lawyers in the sector stands out, as well as the personalised and empathetic treatment. Prestigious and specialised lawyers.’
Key clients
RSA Luxembourg
Grupo Boluda
TT Club
Interatlantic
Pesca Bijagos
Sk B&T
Grandi Navi Veloci
DHL Exel Supply Chain Spain
Freightlead LLC
Garrigues
With offices across Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia, Vigo, Seville, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands and Porto, the shipping and transport team at Garrigues acts in an equally broad range of shipping matters. Key areas of work include collisions and accidents at sea, as well as financing, registration, customs, licensing and contractual arrangements. In Madrid, Jesús Barbadillo leads the team, with notable experience acting for shipping companies and further expertise in regulatory matters. Manuel Betancor, based in the Canary Islands, supports these efforts, while Bilbao-based senior associate Javier del Corte is a key contact for dispute resolution.
Testimonials
‘Perfect work from the lawyers. Garrigues’ plans are very detailed and well prepared.’
‘They are really working together in a team. Everybody can dive in their own situation and that makes the understanding of lawyer and client easier and unique.’
‘Their responses are fast and efficient.’
‘Their total predisposition to attend to any eventuality at any time, and their immediate involvement in what is requested of them.’
Key clients
Mapfre
The Hartford
The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
Erz-offshore
Bureau Veritas
Beach Fishing
Enel/Endesa
Naviera Armas
Trasmediterránea
Sercomisa-Trasmapi
Knutsen Group
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP’s shipping department is noted for its ‘support in claims regarding containers and forwarding companies’, with an offering extending to bills of lading, third-party liability claims, charterparty agreements and civil liability insurance. Benefitting from recent investments in innovative tools, the firm attracts a range of insurers, P&I clubs and freight forwarders, with the team noted as ‘exceptional because of its legal expertise and knowledge of the commercial and operational issues of the maritime sector’. Juan Alegre, Bernardo Ruiz Lima and Ernesto Rivera head the practice alongside Gonzalo Alvar, who joined from Qvadrigas in March 2022, and Victor Mata, who was promoted to the partnership in April 2022.
Testimonials
‘Excellent and sound team for any shipping matters.’
‘The team is exceptional because of its legal expertise and knowledge of the commercial and operational issues of the maritime sector, with great focus on claims.’
‘They pull always the adequate resources to answer to any query, however small, with professionalism and good timing as if they were part of the company. Highlight their support in claims regarding containers and forwarding companies.’
‘Victor Mata is an outstanding lawyer with great knowledge of the sector and practical experience. He stands out for his exceptional responsiveness and full involvement in every matter, however small, always with a practical approach. Special focus on his availability to support in claims concerning damages on containers.’
‘Very straightforward and no-nonsense team.’
Key clients
Boluda
Grupo Ortiz
SASEMAR
The Standard P&I Club
Maersk
Liberty Lines
MSC SHIPPING
Pantaenius
Royal Sun Alliance
Navigators and General
Uría Menéndez
Uría Menéndez features a shipping, transport and logistics group dedicated to matters surrounding vessel construction and finance, carriage contracts, marine casualties, insurance, M&A and litigation. Key clients include banks, shipowners, charterers, insurance companies, port operators and P&I clubs. Carlos López-Quiroga, who is regarded for providing ‘a practical vision’ in line with his ‘enormous legal knowledge’, leads the practice, accompanied by managing associate Luz Martínez De Azcoitia, who specialises in M&A and banking and finance transactions in the shipping and aviation sectors. Other notable figures from the associate ranks include tax lease structure expert Diego Pérez.
Testimonials
‘Their strengths are extensive legal knowledge in matters of maritime transport, great knowledge of the sector and their wide availability.’
‘Carlos López-Quiroga has enormous legal knowledge, great knowledge of the sector and provides closeness and accessibility to the client.’
‘Law specialisation based on the international trade of goods by sea, including specific application rules, client-supplier relations and shipping company. Uría stands out in the advice it provides here. Additionally, Uría is always available to the client. Its network of contacts allows timely advice in other countries where it may be necessary (port regulations, for example).’
‘Carlos López-Quiroga is an excellent professional, with a practical vision of the facts. Speed and efficiency. He stands out not only in technical knowledge but also in the speed of his response and availability.’
‘Highly experienced in the subject matter, and through transactions they prove to be knowledgeable and efficient throughout the process.’
‘Knowledgeable and efficient, Diego Pérez and Carlos López-Quiroga are thorough.’
Key clients
Knutsen Group
Seadrill Global Services
Cosco Shipping Port (Spain) Terminals
Copemar
Clydesdale Bank
ING Bank
Astilleros Canarios
Astilleros de Santander
ANESCO
Creuers del Port de Barcelona
Klepierre Group
Maicerías Españolas
Korea Development Bank
Banco Sabadell
Nordea Bank ABP, Finland
Asica Farms
Centro Portuario de Empleo Almería
Centro Portuario de Empleo Motril
Aleática
Bahía de Bizkaia Electricidad
Van Oord Ship Management
Ibérica de Congelados
TMEIC
Work highlights
- Advising the Spanish National Association of Stevedoring Companies and Employment Centres (ANESCO) on the preparation and drafting of a legal report to request the relevant Spanish authorities to review the Spanish Ports Law.
- Advised Astilleros de Santander on a potential dispute regarding a vessel repair contract in connection with the vessel “Evrima” owned by a company belonging to the Ritz Carlton group.
- Advised Van Oord Ship Management on a dispute regarding the correct enforcement of a performance guarantee in the construction of a vessel.
Mestre Abogados
Boutique firm Mestre Abogados maintains a strong focus on maritime casualties, liability claims, financing and cross-border commercial disputes. Led by a three-partner team, the practice has seen an increase in shipbuilding and yacht-related matters, with repairers’ liability, cargo projects, insurance claims, and sale and purchase contracts constituting increasingly significants area of work for the firm. Notable figures include major casualty and litigation expert Anna Mestre, noted as ‘simply amazing‘ for her ‘ability to always find the best solutions for a client‘, accompanied by shipping expert Jordi Mayol and litigation specialist Alejandra Torres, who divides her time between Barcelona and Galicia.
Testimonials
‘Anna Mestre has great knowledge of the issues and has the ability to always find the best solutions for a client. She also has magnificent knowledge of the English language.’
‘Focused, passionate and dedicated to client needs.’
‘They are simply one of the best team in Spain for maritime law. Very bright, commercial and responsive. Anna Mestre is simply amazing.’
‘Anna Mestre – simply the best!’
‘Anna Mestre delivers both a very professional service, but with a personal touch that is unique in commercial law.’
‘They are very efficient and, above all, great specialists in shipping law, with great experience, especially from Anna Mestre.’
‘Great professional team, seriousness and transparency is one of its great virtues, together with a great knowledge of maritime law makes Mestre Abogados a benchmark in the sector.’
‘The seriousness and rigor, the continuous learning and the participation in numerous congresses.’
Key clients
Noatum
Generali
Ptw Shipyards
Blueseas Maritime Services Nig
Yacht Service Team Bcn
Oceanaval|Naval Architecture & Marine Services
Allianz Seguros Y Reaseguros
Allianz Suisse Versicherungs-Gesellschaft
Decathlon España
One Ocean Shipping Agency
Save Claims Services
Xl Insurance
Transbulk Shipping
Stellantis
Roses Styx
Magic Catamarans
Fast Mast
Seanergia
Collyers Uk
Xpo Group
Work highlights
- Advised Logisprint on the sale, purchase and closing of a newbuild FERRY PERSEVERANCIA from Korean shipyard.
- Advising Rongscheng Rongyuan Fishers and Wintell & Co on a collision and sinking of the clients’ vessel off the coast of Argentina.
- Advised Generali on a liability claim for the wrongful design of a Cruise Boarding bridge that collapsed.
PEREZ ALBORS | & CO
With a client base centred on major shipowners, logistics companies, P&I clubs and insurers, PEREZ ALBORS | & CO offers a multidisciplinary approach in insurance, dispute resolution and trade, a broad offering bolstered by its association with ONTIER. Among its key areas of work, the team is active in cargo claims, charterparty and bill of lading disputes, sale and purchase arrangements, and collisions. Madrid-based partner Carlos Perez, noted for providing ‘sensible and realistic advice’ leads the team alongside co-founder and commercial litigator Maria Albors, based in Sotogrande. Associate Juan Montenegro joined the firm from Meana Green Maura & Co in January 2022.
Testimonials
‘The most important factor is their extremely practical approach, giving genuine advice without unnecessary legalese.’
‘They are always on top of the matter and the client. They are proactive in finding solutions. Their attention is exquisite, very personalised.’
‘Their client service, experience and proactivity are unmatched in this field, both by sector and geography.’
Key clients
Generali
Damco
Maersk Line
The Standard P&I Club
The North of England P&I Club
W K Webster & Co
The American P&I Club
World Fuel Services
ITIC Ltd
Elias Marine Ltd
X-Press Container Line
EVOS
Guadalquivir Shipyard
Alfaship Group
Servyman de Estrecho
Bunker Holding
Steel Invest Group
TTClub
Partida Logistics
EMPSE Group
Atarfil Europe
Cameto
Work highlights
- Representing Generali in a €5m claim following damage caused by the vessel “AVANCE” when colliding against the REPSOL refinery terminal at Tarragona.
- Advised Generali on a €3m claim for alleged defective product liability in France.
- Advised CAMETO on a €1.5m claim for cargo damage against shippers in China.
Rogers & Co. Abogados
Led by shipping expert Luis Alberto García, Rogers & Co. Abogados fields a team with notable expertise in insurance, shipping and other forms of transport. Focused on these three pillars, the firm is often sought for matters relating to marine insurance, operator liability, cargo claims and vessel auctions. Among its key clients, the firm advises Mapfre Global Risks, AXA and MS Amlin Marine. Marie Rogers is noted for her ‘comprehensive knowledge of the international market, including insurance and P&I’.
Testimonials
‘Good team, very balanced. Perfect communication with the client. Development of a solid strategy in the defense of the client’s interests.’
‘Attention to detail. Optimal trial preparation. Clarity in the steps taken. Domain of the judicial process and its different stages.’
‘The partners complement each other perfectly, uniting their experience and field of action to provide a total service to the client. They treat the cases jointly in order to offer the best assistance to the client. They always look out for the client’s interest.’
Key clients
Mapfre Global Risks
Rsa Luxembourg Sucursal en España
Axa Xl
Ms Amlin Marine
Atunera Dularra
Medway Marine
Aig Europe
Travelers UK
Reale Seguros
Global Bunkering
Work highlights
- Defended marine insurers and shipowers against a claim by a widow for the alleged wrongful death of crew member.
- Advised a shipowner on the Port Auction of a vessel and all administrative issues to allow the vessel to sail.
- Advising hull and machinery underwriters in relation to the sinking of a yacht following a collision.
SAN SIMON & DUCH
The shipping team at SAN SIMON & DUCH is characterised by a multidisciplinary offering, acting for shipowners, financial institutions, insurers, charterers and port authorities in a range of charterparty, ship arrest, dispute resolution and cargo claims. Leadership of the team is divided between Luis De San Simón, Mercedes Duch and Diego De San Simón in Madrid, Carlos Cerda in Valencia and Ignacio Rodríguez in Algeciras, with the likes of The London P&I Club, The Standard P&I Club and Generali featured in its client portfolio.
Practice head(s):
Luis De San Simon, Mercedes Duch, Diego de San Simón; Carlos Cerda; Ignacio Rodríguez
Testimonials
‘The team at San Simon & Duch is very accessible, responsive and has a profound knowledge of Spanish commercial and transport law.’
‘Diego de San Simon stands out as a superstar. He is one of the best maritime lawyers on the Iberian Peninsula and a go-to person in Spain.’
‘It is a fast and efficient team. Available when needed. They perfectly understand the business, client needs, and is technologically very advanced.’
Key clients
The London P & I Club
The Standard P & I Club
St. Enfineering Marine
Shipowners P & I Club
Navios Shipmanagement Inc
X- Pressfeeders
Holman, Fenwick Willan
Generali
RSA
Mapfre
Wintell & Co
NSN Law Firm
VITOL
KACIC & BRBORA
HDI Global
Palmali Shipping Group
Work highlights
- Defending fleet agents in sanctioning proceedings opened by authorities.
- Defending the owners and ship agents of various vessels in a claim brought by authorities.
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
The asset and structured finance team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP is noted for its capabilities in insolvency, restructuring, commercial contracts, maritime infrastructure and vessel finance. With niche expertise in the aquaculture sector, the firm advises a range of shipowners and banks in the industry, while also featuring charterers and P&I in its client portfolio. Transport expert Alfredo Cabellos heads the practice, spearheading the firm’s tax and structured finance offering, while Jose María Pery is often involved in purchase and sale agreements and construction transactions. Senior associate Laura Cadenas is another key contact.
Key clients
UBS
Alsaker
Havila Kystruten
ABN AMRO
Edda Wind ASA
Caixabank
DNB
Nordic Trustee
Work highlights
- Advised Fiskebas Fishing Company on the implementation of a tax lease structure in Spain for the construction, acquisition, finance and exploitation of a mid-water trawler.
- Advised Havila Kystruten Operations on the dispute before the English High Court in relation to the financing of two vessels to be built in Spain by Astilleros de J. Barreras which were cancelled.
- Advised Edda Wind and the lenders (UBS and ABN Amro) in relation to the Spanish aspects of the financing of an offshore support vessel under construction at Astilleros Gondán.
Cuatrecasas
Cuatrecasas‘ logistics and transport group is often engaged to advise on cargo insurance, customs advice, port law, competition issues and sanctioning proceedings, with key clients including Ocibar, Hapag Lloyd and DP World. Madrid-based partner Iñigo Quintana heads the team, spearheading the dispute resolution offering, while Alejandro Auset, based in Barcelona, is an administrative proceedings and judicial review expert.
Key clients
HPS Investment Partners
Apollo Global Management
Incus Capital
Ocibar
Puerto Calero Marinas
DP World
Hapag Lloyd
Porto Sudeste do Brasi
Cooperativa Transportes del Puerto
Csp Iberian Bilbao
Mc Trinter
Ergransa
W.E.C. Lines España
Puertos Canarios
Italmar 3000
Sparber Lineas Maritimas
Autoridad Portuaria de Pasajes
Naviera Mar de Ons
Cruceros Kontiki
Bennassar Naviliers
Costasol Cruceros
Naviera Santa Eulalia
Work highlights
- Advising HPS Investment Partners and Apollo Global Management on rescue financing in the refinancing process of Naviera Armas.
- Advising Incus Capital on acquiring 72% of Port Med Barcelona (Marina Vela) through a capital increase.
- Advising Puerto Calero Marinas on the exit of Disa Group and subsequent entry of a new investor (the Martínez Group) in the share capital of Puerto Calero Marinas.
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo draws from a specialised banking and finance department to advise on a range of shipping matters, with an emphasis on acting for shipping and charter companies, banks and finance institutions. Apart from these key clients, the firm also exhibits a strong relationship with shipbuilders through its Vigo office, acting on relevant agreements. Leadership of the practice is divided between asset finance expert Carlos Rueda and Miguel Lamo de Espinosa. Supporting the team’s efforts in relation to asset financing operations is Fernando Herrero. Vigo-based partner María García De La Concha Álvarez handles a spectrum of shipbuilding matters. All named lawyers are based in Madrid unless otherwise stated.
Testimonials
‘Well-trained team with high-quality professionals.’
‘María García de la Concha is an excellent professional who knows the sector perfectly.’
Key clients
BBVA
Caixabank
Clipper Group
Executive Airlines
Export Credit Canada
Fond-ICO
Empresa Naviera Elcano
Spanish Government
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Banco de Sabadell
Société Générale
Abanca Corporación Bancaria
Work highlights
- Represented Société Générale regarding the financing under RD 874 provided to Astilleros Armón for the construction of nine vessels.
- Advised a syndicate of banks in connection with a credit agreement granted to Naviera Teekay Gas III and Teekay Spain.
- Advised Banco de Sabadell in connection with a credit agreement and refund guarantee facility granted to Metalships for the construction of Sailing Cruise Vessel “Sea Cloud” and delivery to Schiffahrts-Gesellschaft “Husssar” MBH.
Kennedys
Kennedys regularly acts for shipowners, shipyards, logistics companies and insurers in a range of ship purchase, chartering, cargo loss, salvage and shipbuilding matters, with a recent expansion into cyber and satellite risks relevant to GPS technologies. With ‘very good knowledge of the sector‘, Jose Manuel González Pellicer stands out for maritime law, logistics and ports, leading the practice alongside the ‘excellent‘ Olivia Delagrange, a triple-qualified practitioner who can regularly be found advising insurers, reinsurers and corporate clients. Associate Paula Petit is another key contact, active across contentious and non-contentious marine matters.
Testimonials
‘They have the knowledge and capabilities to understand any issue. They are great people who treat you on a personal level and work with you as a team.’
‘They are friendly, are always available for advice and treat you as an equal. Excellent knowledge from the entire team and they work very hard.’
‘Standout individuals include Olivia Delagrange, who is an excellent lawyer and runs her team brilliantly, José Pellicer who has an amazing legal mind and has the ability to explain things simply, and Marta Parrondo who quickly understands the issue at hand and works hard to resolve it. Paula Petit could be classed as a rising star within the Spanish legal arena.’
Key clients
Grupo Suardiaz
Zurich
Tokio Marine Kiln
RSA
AXIS
AVIVA
MA Abogados
The transport and international trade team at MA Abogados benefits from a network of national offices, allowing it to provide advice across multiple stages of the logistics chain, with shipping and cargo insurance companies, port terminals, freight forwarders and suppliers constituting a large portion of the firm’s client base. Parallel to logistics work, the firm is also focused on arbitration, insurance claims and offshore contract matters. Founding partner Carlos Salinas Adelantado, who ‘stands out in the industry with his expertise’, heads the team alongside co-founder Sara Recatalá Chordá in Valencia.
Testimonials
‘Carlos Salinas has a very pragmatic and solutions orientated approach to handling cases and knows exactly what his clients require. He has a vast amount of experience and stands out in the industry with his expertise, which he perfectly puts to use when finding the best outcome for his clients.’
‘Outstanding knowledge of the team in matters of maritime law.’
‘Outstanding in particular is the partner Carlos Salinas.’
‘The strengths of MA in maritime law are the deep knowledge they have of the matter, it has a dynamic, very solid team, which is capable of dealing with any issue related to this matter.’
‘Carlos Salinas has infinite knowledge on this matter and makes an effort to explain the most complicated issues. A lot of dedication and comfort towards the client.’
Muñoz & Montañes
With a shipping focus at its core, boutique firm Muñoz & Montañes has offices in both Valencia and Bilbao, attracting shipowner and P&I clients seeking advice on a range of maritime disputes. Founding partner Alicia Montañés leads the team, with experience in shipping law and international trade, acting in maritime casualties and civil, administrative and criminal proceedings.
Other key lawyers:
Celia Lopera; Pablo Ibáñez
Testimonials
‘Knowledge of the sector and index of results on the incidents they have managed.’
‘The service and personalized attention together with the knowledge and technical rigor in the development of their functions. Outstanding Celia Lopera and Pablo Ibáñez.’
‘Alicia Montañés and Pablo Ibanez are pro-active and costs-conscious, always looking for pragmatic solutions for their clients.’
‘They are always co-operative and responsive. They handle the cases in an efficient and responsible manner.’
‘Alicia Montañés is a very experienced lawyer. She is always responsive and has the practical approach it takes when problems need to be solved.’
‘Pablo Ibáñez always has exceptional understanding of the detailed aspects of a case.’
Key clients
Gard P&I
The Swedish Club
Skuld P&I
Nordisk Defence Club
Maersk
MSC SA
West of England
Manuport Logistics Spain
UBE Corporation Europe
Work highlights
- Advised Maersk on a preliminary ruling request to the ECJ on BL Jurisdiction clauses.
- Represented Gard P&I and its owners in court proceedings regarding the collision between Isleta III and MV Histria Yvory.
- Participated in preliminary investigations on the collision between MV Laust Maersk and Ro-Pax Napoles.