Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Transport in Netherlands

AKD

AKD boasts a broad expertise in aviation, logistics, international trade, and shipping, addressing issues like multimodal carriage of goods, commodities, customs, and marine accidents. Jan Kromhout, leading the transport and trade group, is a seasoned transactional lawyer advising entities like ship-owners and insurers in shipbuilding and offshore projects. Haco van der Houven van Oordt, a litigation veteran in the shipping and offshore sectors, tackles marine accidents and ship-related disputes. Jos van der Meché specialises in resolving cargo claims, representing operators, carriers, and insurers. Annemieke Spijker brings her skills in drafting logistics contracts and litigation, and Sebastiaan Moolenaar advises and litigates on commercial contracts, often in cross-border disputes. Maaike Lustenhouwer is pivotal in the aviation team, while Michael Hajdasinski, who joined in March 2023, focuses on international commodities trade.

Practice head(s):

Jan Kromhout


Other key lawyers:

Haco van der Houven van Oordt; Annemieke Spijker; Jos van der Meché; Sebastiaan Moolenaar; Maaike Lustenhouwer; Michael Hajdasinskil; Pieter den Haan; Taco van der Valk


Testimonials

‘Top-class shipping team with one of the very few genuine specialist logistics practices in the world.’

‘Jos van der Meché is a hard-working and straightforward lawyer. Really well connected and liked everywhere.’

‘Maaike Lustenhouwer is the main driver behind the aviation team. A lawyer with outstanding legal knowledge who knows the ins and outs of the aviation industry and thus is capable of providing excellent support. I have even had moments where.’

‘The team led by Annemieke Spijker is what you would expect of a first-tier law firm – efficient, pragmatic and friendly, going over and beyond to look after the interests of their clients.’

‘They are simply very good all-rounded professionals and that is the only relevant criteria that matters to a client.’

‘Michael Hajdasinski is an excellent and innovative lawyer who has real commercial sense and thinks outside the box. It’s great that he’s back in private practice.’

Haco van Oordt: cross-border expert and thinking out-of-the-box.

Jan Kromhout: great mind and relaxed character.

Key clients

Royal KLM


RWG Terminals


Samskip


Vollers GmbH


Emirates Airlines


TT Club


Samsung SDS


Braskem


APM Terminals / Maersk


ECT Hutchison Ports


Royal Swinkels Family Brewers


Nationale-Nederlanden


AIG


Royal IHC


LBC Terminals


The Swedish Club


Skuld


UK P&I Club


Gard


Jumbo Maritime


Royal Boskalis


Work highlights


CMS

The transportation practice at CMS, covering areas like public transportation, automotive, mobility services, and shipping, caters to a varied client base including public transport companies, financial institutions, insurers, and manufacturers. The team is steered by Petra Heemskerk and Tessa Penninks. Heemskerk, a public procurement law specialist, concentrates on public transport and mobility, with experience in advising on transport concessions and tenders. Penninks provides expert advice to clients in the automotive sector, particularly regarding finance and leasing solutions. Former co-head Herman Boersen is no longer actively involved in the firm’s transport practice.

Practice head(s):

Petra Heemskerk; Tessa Penninks


Other key lawyers:

Annemieke Hazelhoff; Simon Sanders; Michelle van den Brink


Testimonials

‘CMS is one of the best in public transport on demand in the Netherlands. The team of CMS is an authority in this game.’

‘Strengths include personal contact, pro-activity, great knowledge, and easy going.’

Key clients

All Nippon Airways (ANA)


Trevvel


BIOS Personenvervoer


Qbuzz


NS (Dutch Railways)


Transvision


RCI Financial Services (Renault Finance)


Qatar Airways


RSR


Mirastar Ltd


DHL


Willemsen de Koning


Zorgvervoercentrale Nederland B.V.


Work highlights


NautaDutilh

NautaDutilh’s transport division offers comprehensive legal guidance across the shipping, aviation, and transport industries, covering regulatory, corporate, commercial, and litigious matters. At the helm of the shipping and transport practice, Erik Geerling operates between London and Rotterdam, focusing on ship finance deals encompassing notarial work, leasing, restructuring, and mortgage transactions. He is supported by senior associate Maaike Heijink, who advises both lenders and borrowers in ship financing transactions. Marc Orval, leading the restructuring and insolvency group, and Kasper Krzeminski, who heads the litigation and arbitration practice, add depth to the team’s expertise.

Practice head(s):

Erik Geerling; Kasper Krzeminski; Marc Orval


Other key lawyers:

Jaco Belder; Maaike Heijink


Testimonials

‘Erik Geerling’s experience is unrivalled in the Dutch ship finance market. He is a joy to work with and always delivers with quality and speed.’

‘Very strong team in shipping finance.’

Key clients

NIBC


Easyjet


Deutsche Lufthansa AG/Lufthansa Cargo AG/ SWISS International Air Lines AG


IATA


AirFrance-KLM Holding


ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


Neste and various others


Coöperatieve Rabobank


Louwman


Work highlights


  • Assisted Louwman with all regulatory aspects of their strategic partnership with Toyota to provide financial products in relation to its automotive business.
  • Represented Deutsche Lufthansa AG (the largest German airline), Lufthansa Cargo AG and SWISS International Air Lines AG in multiple, follow-on cartel damages proceedings before the Dutch courts.
  • Assisted AerCap N.V. with a repurchase of shares held by GE Capital US Holdings, Inc in the amount of $500m and a secondary public offering of 23,000,000 of its ordinary shares by GE Capital US Holdings, Inc. at a price to the public of $58.50 per ordinary share.

Ploum

Ploum’s extensive range of services within the transport, logistics, and trade sectors encompasses corporate affairs and insurance, as well as civil, administrative, and criminal law. The Rotterdam-based team is under the joint leadership of Jikke Biermasz, who excels in both commercial advisory and litigation, specialising in anti-dumping, transport, customs, and trade-regulatory matters; Marijn van Tuijl, with expertise representing carriers, terminals, and forwarding agents, as well as warehousing companies and their insurers, particularly in compliance and supply chain disputes; and Albert Wiggers, skilled in managing transport and logistics sector M&A transactions. The bench was further strengthened in January 2023 with the addition of Jeroen Zandt, an experienced international trade and transport litigator and ‘expert in maritime law’, who joined from Codex Mulder Advocaten.

Practice head(s):

Jikke Biermasz; Marijn van Tuijl; Albert Wiggers


Other key lawyers:

Jeroen Zandt


Testimonials

‘Jeroen Zandt is very efficient, focused on detail, and is an expert in maritime law. He is an excellent negotiator, with a strong commercial sense.’

‘The uniqueness of the Ploum transport practice comes from its extensive knowledge and track record in the customs industry. We are not aware of another firm with the same in-depth and relevant knowledge.

‘The team is very pragmatic and comes with solutions!’

‘The team is hands-on, has good knowledge about the transport market and works (cost) efficiently.’

‘Jikke Biermasz is knowledgeable, responsive and always looks for hands-on solutions. ’

‘Jikke Biermasz is a star customs lawyer in Rotterdam. A pugnacious litigator, a pragmitic advisor. Strongly recommended.’

‘Jikke Biermasz and Marijn van Tuijl are very competent, with strong expertise in custom law.’

‘With the arrival of Jeroen Zandt and his team, the transport law team at Ploum has grown, not only in numbers but specifically in the quality that they are able to provide. ’

Key clients

Wintershall Noordzee


Peinemann


AIG


DSV


Customs Support Group


Hutchison Ports Europe


HES International


Maersk


Matrans


Nedcargo


KGH Customs


APM Terminals


Service Terminal Rotterdam


Sea-Cargo


Flexport


Expeditors International


Work highlights


  • Assisted longstanding client Matrans in the sale of Mainport Tankcontainer Services (MTC) to Boasso Global B.V, part of Quala. MTC is active in the repair, cleaning and storage of empty tank containers.
  • Advised Customs Support Group on more than 10 acquisitions in 2022/2023 of customs brokering / freight forwarding businesses throughout Europe.
  • Representing a Dutch freight forwarder and customs agent in cassation proceedings before the Dutch Supreme Court.

Van Traa Advocaten

Van Traa Advocaten’s highly regarded transportation practice tackles the full spectrum of transport law issues, encompassing logistics, aviation, and international trade, as well as shipping, offshore activities, and regulation. The practice offers extensive expertise in areas such as commodities, rail, road, maritime insurance, and sanctions. It is spearheaded by logistics expert Leendert van Hee, highly experienced in representing sea and road carriers, producers, and insurers, especially in complex dispute resolution. Vincent Pool advocates for cargo interests, logistics service providers, and insurers on road carriage, dry shipping, and rail transport issues. Robert Pessers, overseeing the aviation division, concentrates on liability and regulatory issues for major airlines and their insurers. Jolien Kruit, with her focus on dry shipping and logistics services, excels in managing incidents and claims, while Nol van Hal provides advisory and litigious support in maritime matters including shipbuilding, incidents, ship arrests, and insurance.

Practice head(s):

Leendert van Hee


Other key lawyers:

Jolien Kruit; Robert Pessers; Vincent Pool; Nol van Hal; Robert de Haan; Marc van Maanen;


Testimonials

‘The team is easy to talk to and able to understand the underlying case even when the questions are still at the surface.’

‘Good quality of advice.’

‘Very professional and responsive and absolute experts in the region of transport law, maritime law, and insurance law.’

‘Vincent Pool and Leendert van Hee are the best experts on transport law, maritime law, and the corresponding insurance law in the Netherlands.’

‘They possess comprehensive knowledge, maintain open lines of communication, and boast an expansive international network.’

‘Vincent Pool is legally strong, very knowledgeable and approachable, adept at ad hoc problem-solving, and excels at integrating this legal expertise with a deep understanding of business needs. His solutions also draw from extensive client experiences, consistently delivering satisfaction. Highly recommended.’

‘Nol van Hal is a versatile lawyer combining in-depth legal knowledge with a no-nonse communication that appeals to non-legal business people.’

Key clients

KLM


KLM Cargo


Nouryon


Dutch Ferry Company


Work highlights


  • Assisted TUI Airlines and ANVR in seeking financial compensation from Schiphol Airport for losses incurred due to operational disruptions at the airport.
  • Assisted KLM Cargo in cases involving cargo with foodstuffs containing ingredients from protected plants or animals.
  • Supported TUI Airlines in legal proceedings against the Dutch State and Schiphol Airport, challenging the government’s decision to reduce Schiphol’s capacity to reduce noise.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance excels in overseeing a variety of aircraft and shipping transactions, encompassing sale and leaseback agreements, transfers, sales, and registrations. Leading the group is Hein Tonnaer, a specialist in project finance, particularly in areas such as aviation, shipping, and export finance. The team’s proficiency extends across the entire transportation sector, serving diverse clientele including aircraft manufacturers, helicopter operators, ports, and shipping firms, as well as car importers, railway companies, regulatory bodies, and financiers.

Practice head(s):

Hein Tonnaer


Key clients

Airbus


Aircastle Advisor LLC


BNP Paribas SA/NV


CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC


Citi Europe plc


Deucalion Aviation Limited


Falko Regional Aircraft Limited


ITOCHU Corporation


JP Lease Products & Services Co., Ltd.


Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (KLM)


OHI Finance S.A.


Royal Aero GmbH


SkyNRG BV


The Milestone Aviation Group Limited


TRUENOORD BOYNE LIMITED


Work highlights


  • Advised a syndicate of 14 international banks on KLM’s new revolving credit facility (RCF), linked to ESG objectives.

Cox Ten Bruggencate Advocaten

Cox Ten Bruggencate Advocaten, a boutique with ‘specialist knowledge in logistics, transport, and insurance’, offers extensive experience in the transportation of goods by sea, road, air and rail, logistics operations such as warehousing and terminal activities, international trade, maritime issues like ship arrest and general average, as well as freight forwarding. Under the leadership of Carlijn ten Bruggencate and Joeri Cox, the practice excels in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution methods. Cox focuses on transport and logistics law, handling damage incidents and providing assistance with global logistics contracts. Ten Bruggencate’s practice encompasses all modes of transport, logistics, warehousing, and marine law matters.

Practice head(s):

Carlijn ten Bruggencate; Joeri Cox


Testimonials

‘Specialist knowledge in logistics, transport and insurance combined with pragmatism and a hands-on attitude.’

‘Besides in-depth legal knowledge partners Joeri Cox and Carlijn ten Bruggencate know how to handle the most complex cases from a strategic point of view.’

Key clients

MS Amlin


Nationale -Nederlanden


AIG


HDI


AxaXL


DUPI


Aon


Meijers


Ecclesia


Work highlights


Dentons

Led by Jacqueline Bell, Dentons’s transportation practice is proficient in aviation and ship finance and provides clients guidance on lease finance, asset, and structured transactions involving aircraft, ships, and offshore vessels, as well as on trade commodity finance. The group also represents a range of clients, including banks, leasing companies, and transport operators, with leasing and tax-driven structures.

Practice head(s):

Jacqueline Bell


Key clients

BNP Paribas


CargoLogicAir


ING Bank


Japan Airlines


Larendael Aviation


Noot Personenvervoer


St. Maarten Shipyard


TUI Airlines


Ursa Shipyard


Van Gelder Groep


Work highlights


  • Advised BNP Paribas (Singapore) on an international ship finance deal, involving a $46m pre-delivery loan to an Israeli shipowner for the acquisition of two chemical tankers.
  • Acted for Japan Airlines in an air cargo cartel damages cases in the Netherlands.
  • Advised Ursa Shipyard, a Turkish shipyard specialising in the construction and refit of large yachts, with the purchase of a luxury yacht from the Netherlands.

Loyens & Loeff

Led by Ehsan Shirzadi, the transportation finance division at Loyens & Loeff is particularly skilled in ship finance, offering comprehensive support to banks, ship owners, and operators in financing various types of vessels. As a key member of the firm’s banking and finance team, Shirzadi’s transportation finance practice includes general secured financing transactions.

Practice head(s):

Ehsan Shirzadi


Key clients

ING Bank N.V.


ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.


Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation


LCI (Lease Corporation International) Aviation


De Poli Tankers Holding B.V.


Arklow Shipping UC


MEAG MUNICH ERGO Asset Management GmbH


Vertom UCS Holding B.V.


Chemship


Maritime Partners LLC


Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB


Work highlights


Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright’s transportation group, with a specialisation in aviation and ship financing, is well versed in M&A transactions in the transport sector and caters to a diverse range of clients including ship owners, banks, export credit agencies, leasing companies, and fund lenders. Wouter Hertzberger, who steers the transportation practice and heads the banking department, is skilled in structured finance transactions, particularly in shipping. Joris Ravelli represents both Dutch and international banks and institutional investors in ship finance, while Stefanie Walthaus and Joep Duinker contribute aviation asset finance expertise to the team.

Practice head(s):

Wouter Hertzberger


Other key lawyers:

Joris Ravelli; Stefanie Walthaus; Joep Duinker


Testimonials

‘The team has intricate knowledge of the regulatory net, the nuances and processes needed to expedite matters. The lawyers make themselves available and are always ready to assist on an urgent basis.’

‘Stefanie Walthaus and Joep Duinker have been particularly supportive.’

‘Pro-active, knowledgeable, pragmatic. Norton Rose is very good at managing client, counterparty and all other stakeholders to get a deal closed.’

‘Wouter Hertzberger wants to get the deal done, but with integrity and reasonableness. Strong negotiator, using solid arguments to convince friend and foe.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO Bank


ANZ


Bristow Group Inc.


Banco Santander S.A


Bank of America


BNP Paribas


Carlyle (formerly Apollo)


China Aircraft Leasing Company


Citibank


DHL Aviation (Netherlands) B.V.


DNB Bank


Export-Import Bank of the United States


Prow Capital B.V. (Green Shipping Fund)


HSBC


HES Hartel Tank Terminal B.V.


ING Bank


ICTSI


Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V.


Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing


Rabobank


State of the Netherlands


Standard Chartered Bank


SMBC Aviation Capital Limited


UK Export Finance


Work highlights


  • Advised Santander in their capacity as a lender to the Green Shipping Fund, established by Prow Capital B.V., a programme designed to provide asset-backed debt funding to support the maritime industry’s transition to a climate-neutral state.
  • Advised lenders to HES Hartel Tank Terminal B.V. on financing arrangements and project documents for the development of a new tank terminal in the Port of Rotterdam.
  • Assisted The Export-Import Bank of the United States and KLM with the financing, delivery, registration, and mortgaging of aircrafts.

Stek

With ‘deep knowledge of aviation’, Stek is adept at supporting clients with the acquisition, leasing, sale, and financing of aircraft, helicopters, business jets, and flight simulators. Jeroen Timmermans directs the aviation team, serving a diverse clientele comprising financiers, commercial operators, helicopter and business jet owners, as well as leasing companies. Ruben Elkerbout complements the team with his expertise in aviation regulatory law, offering both litigation and advisory services.

Practice head(s):

Jeroen Timmermans


Other key lawyers:

Ruben Elkerbout


Testimonials

‘The team has deep knowledge of aviation and can work directly with the business team. Excellent on the corporate side as well.’

‘Jeroen Timmermans is outstanding – no equal in the Netherlands.’

Key clients

Aircastle Advisor LLC


Airline Fleet Support B.V.


Aviodrome


Corendon Holiday Group / Corendon Dutch Airlines B.V.


easyJet


Fokker Next Gen N.V.


Fokker Services/Fokker Techniek


GEFA Bank GmbH


Investec Bank PLC


MAAS Aviation


Transavia Airlines B.V.


TrueNoord


UBS Switzerland AG


Work highlights


  • Advised aircraft leasing company Aircastle in respect of the lease of fifteen new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft to Dutch operator KLM Cityhopper B.V.
  • Represented easyJet in summary court proceedings against the Dutch State and Royal Schiphol Group in relation to the Dutch government’s plans to reduce the capacity at Schiphol Airport.
  • Advised Investec on providing a finance facility to APOC to support the growth of its engine and landing gear portfolio.