The maritime practice at Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega remains a leading force in the Panamanian market, with coverage spanning ship registration, financing, maritime services, and shipping litigation. It services a wide range of clients operating primarily in the energy, mining, logistics, and banking sectors. The group is highly regarded for its regulatory expertise, with a strong focus on maritime security structuring and cross-border enforceability. The group regularly coordinates with international counsel. Jorge Loaiza, a seasoned maritime law specialist with international experience, co-heads the team with Pilar Castillo, a trusted counsellor for shipping finance.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Key clients
- Seadrill Limited
- Macquarie Bank
- Mojasa A/S
- Heerema Marine Contractors
- Trafigura Beheer BV – Colombia
- Grupo Mexico
- Schahin Engenharia S.A.
- Grupo R
- Touax
- Hidrovias do Brasil
Work highlights
Advised coordinating banks, mandated lead arrangers, original lenders and other finance parties on the creation and improvement of naval mortgages over a fleet of 36 Panama-flagged vessels owned by Singapore- and Malaysia-based shipping groups in connection with the Aesen naval mortgage transaction.
Advised the bookrunner, lead arranger and administrative and collateral agents on a cross-border super priority senior secured revolving credit facility granted to Foresea Group, involving complex maritime security structuring and coordination with international counsel under tight regulatory timelines.
Advised lenders on a US$150 million secured term loan facility granted to vessel-owning subsidiaries of the Pegasus Group to finance and refinance its fleet, a complex multi-vessel maritime financing secured by first-priority Panamanian naval mortgages requiring sophisticated cross-collateralisation structuring and alignment with an English-law-governed facility agreement to ensure cross-border enforceability.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jorge Loaiza III; Pilar Castillo