Apr 2024
Conyers is delighted to announce the firm’s recognition by Marine Money magazine, the leading global publication covering the maritime finance industry, for our role in six outstanding transactions awarded in their Ship Finance “Deal of the Year” Awards for 2023. These awards – an unprecedented number for an offshore law firm – highlight the dominance of Conyers’ leading global ship finance practice.
Conyers’ legal advice was recognised with awards in the following categories:
Bank Debt Deal of the Year
Conyers was lead counsel in GasLog Ltd.’s US$2.8 Billion Refinancing consisting of 14 banks secured by 23 LNG carriers. This landmark transaction involved Conyers lawyers’ expertise and strategic guidance in facilitating what is understood to be the largest recorded debt financing within the global shipping industry.
Director Victor Richards and Associate Jacari Brimmer-Landy worked alongside Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Athens on this matter.
Wild Card Deal of the Year
Conyers advised DNB Bank ASA in connection with a US$1.4 billion loan facility for Frontline to finance the purchase of 24 very large crude carriers. The deal expanded Frontline’s fleet from 65 to 89 vessels, establishing the company as the largest pure-play tanker owner in the public domain.
Director Guy Cooper and Associate Nicole Yearwood worked alongside SimonsenVogt Wiig AS on the matter.
Offshore West – Bond Deal of the Year
Conyers acted for the investment bank Pareto Securities in connection with Borr Drilling’s US$1.54 billion Senior Secured Notes offering.
Director Marcello Ausenda and Senior Associate Alexis Haynes worked alongside Thommessen on this matter.
Green Category Deals of the Year
Conyers provided legal counsel to BNP Paribas in connection with a sustainability linked revolving credit facility for Hafnia.
Director Guy Cooper and Associate Nicole Yearwood worked alongside Norton Rose Fulbright on this matter.
Project Finance East Deal of the Year
Conyers provided legal counsel to Standard Chartered in connection with a US$145m senior secured term loan to finance an FSRU for BW LNG.
Director Guy Cooper and Associate Nicole Yearwood worked alongside Norton Rose Fulbright on this matter.
Norwegian Bond Deal of the Year
Conyers provided legal counsel to Stolt-Nielsen Limited in connection with its unsecured NOK 1,200,000,000 bond offering in September 2023 and subsequent NOK 325,000,000 tap issue in December 2023.
Director Guy Cooper worked alongside McLaughlin & Stern LLP on this matter.
This accomplishment marks the first time Conyers, or any other offshore law firm, has been involved in six award-winning transactions. These awards highlight the strength of Conyers’ market-leading global ship finance and reaffirm the firm’s position as a trusted advisor in the ship finance sector.
Commenting on these achievements, Marcello Ausenda, Head of the Bermuda Corporate Practice and of the firm’s Global Shipping Practice, remarked, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious recognition from Marine Money magazine. It is gratifying that our commitment to the global shipping practice, supported by the largest and most talented ship finance team of lawyers in our sector, has resulted in an unprecedented six award winning transactions. We are extremely grateful to our clients and lawyers from onshore law firms for trusting us with their most high-profile and complex transactions.”
Directors Marcello Ausenda and Guy Cooper look forward to congratulating their fellow Winning Deal Teams during Marine Money Week in New York in June 2024.