Watson Farley & Williams

🚢 Our Singapore Partner, Andrew Nimmo, recently participated in the Marine Money Offshore Energy Finance Forum. Andrew moderated a panel discussion on Financing the Oil & Gas Offshore Sector, exploring various financing options available and the challenges and opportunities in raising capital for FPSO projects in the current market. The lively session was well received, featuring industry experts including Andrew Pang, Mathias Borge Bye, Kheng Sin Chu, Desmond Leow and Joachim Jaeger Skorge. 📷 Catch Andrew and the panelists in action! #WFW #MarineMoney #OffshoreEnergy #OilAndGas #Finance

London Partner Martin Lucas is featured in an article in Recharge, discussing financing of Chinese turbines in Europe. Chinese turbine makers remain largely frustrated in attracting project finance, with transparency, quality and political concerns all weighing against them. Read the full article in Recharge here (subscription required): https://lnkd.in/eFTQzZ5y #WFW #Wind #Renewables #ProjectFinance

We are delighted to share that as Co-Chair of the International Bar Association Diversity and Equality Law Committee, Paris Employment Partner Karine Audouze had the pleasure to co-chair and open the 20th IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference held on 2 to 4 April 2025 and for the first time in Marrakech. Keynote speakers included Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice for Morocco and Hicham Sabiry, Secretary for Employment Morocco. Topics covered included adapting to digital transformation in employment, reputation management, DEI’s future, war for talent and communication across cultures. Congratulations to the entire co-chair team on organising this successful event which brought together 500 participants from over 60 jurisdictions.   #WFW #IBA #EmploymentLaw

We are proud to have advised Mirova on establishing a joint venture with Qualitas Energy to develop, build and operate up to 250 MW of renewable projects across Italy. This joint venture includes a portfolio of 33 solar PV projects and potential wind projects.   Our cross-border, multi-practice team was led by Italy Head Eugenio Tranchino, assisted by Senior Associate Giovanni Benedetto, Associates Francesco Vanzaghi, Sonia Basso and Trainee Francesca Romana Bazzani on corporate matters. Partner Tiziana Manenti, Senior Associate Cristina Betti, Associates Antimo Rocco Nersita, Marco Umberto Iannotti, Dario Matrecano and Francesca Angelilli advised on regulatory aspects and legal due diligence. Senior Associate Anthony Bellacci and Trainee Roberto Di Marzo provided real estate expertise, with Senior Associate Michele Laterza advising on competition matters. French law expertise was provided by Paris Corporate Partner Thomas Rabain and Associate Mohamed Douib.   This joint venture is a significant step towards Italy's green transition, and we are thrilled to contribute to this strategic goal. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/e6ChTYb3 #WFW #Solar #RenewableEnergy

📢 We are delighted to have advised a consortium of lenders on the £180m debt financing of a 612 MW/1.6 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) portfolio for Constantine Energy Storage. This portfolio, comprising nine BESS projects across England and Wales, is the largest of its kind to be financed in Europe.   The strategically located BESS assets will utilise 2.7-hour batteries to maximise revenue and operational efficiencies, playing a crucial role in the energy transition.   The London Finance team that advised the lenders was led by Global Energy Head Henry Stewart and supported by Senior Associate Gavin Jackson, Associates Sindana Ulaganathan and Georgina Somers and Trainees Thomas O'Kane and Matthew Ward. Project development and ESG advice was provided by Projects Partner Emmanuel Ninos and Associates Emily Lamberto, Jo Strachan and Hamish Ungless. Partner Andy Savage, Senior Associates Shaun Young and Florence Childs, and Associate Idil Yusuf provided corporate law advice. Real estate advice was provided by Partner John Rosmini and Counsel Charlotte Williams, and Associate Kristina Buckberry advised on hedging aspects.   For more details, please read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ew6q6Hm4   #WFW #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #BESS 

 🚀 In the third episode of our interview series, Partner Randeep Bubbra is joined by Mark Boggett, CEO and Co-Founder of Seraphim Space, the world’s leading investment group focussed on the trillion-dollar SpaceTech opportunity. Mark discusses how Seraphim has revolutionised the space sector by launching the first private and public SpaceTech-focussed VC funds, providing crucial support to SpaceTech entrepreneurs across all stages. Key takeaways: - the rapidly growing space market, where investors are backing companies with real revenues today; - how an information advantage is key to choosing successful companies; - the trillion-dollar opportunity in digital infrastructure in the sky; - Seraphim’s investment strategy spans current, near-term, and future market opportunities; and - Seraphim’s success in finding and backing growth stage companies. 🎞️ Tune in to hear how Seraphim is shaping the future of space exploration and innovation: https://lnkd.in/g53FccQx #WFW #Satellites #Aerospace

🚢 We are looking forward to seeing you at Marine Money’s Gulf Ship Finance Forum in Dubai next week on Thursday 10 April 2025. Dubai Partner Michael Savva will moderate the session, ‘Shipping Finance for Gulf Owners and Operators’, joined by Senior Associate Charlotte Knight who will be speaking alongside fellow panellists: Anne-Laure Rivoire (Societe Generale), Iraklis Tsirigotis (Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd), Andreas Tiniakos (Maas Capital) and Souren Gharnagharian (Australis Maritime Limited). Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on the current and future landscape of shipping finance in the Gulf. The panel will take place next Thursday, 10 April 2025 from 3:10 PM to 3:50 PM at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in DIFC. 📅 Joining Michael and Charlotte at the forum are Dubai Partners Emily Widdrington (King), Alastair Holland, and Natalie Jensen alongside London Corporate Partner Mark Tooke. Our team looks forward to catching up with clients and industry contacts during the conference and closing reception. Reach out to a member of the team if you’re attending and would like to arrange a meeting. Further details can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gmae6N7s #WFW #MarineMoney #MaritimeFinance #ShipOwners #GulfShipFinanceForum

✈️ Tokyo Partner Simon Collins and Counsel Christian Orton look forward to moderating their panel sessions at the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Tokyo 2025 at the Palace Hotel, Tokyo next week. Partners Keisuke IMON and Shusuke Fukunaga and Singapore Partner Richard Williams will also be in attendance. This conference brings together global decision-makers from leading airlines, MROs, financial sectors and asset managers to discuss the latest trends and developments in aviation finance. Simon will moderate the panel titled "Commercial Aircraft Engine Leasing - Finance, Trading & Investment" on 9 April 2025 at 14:00 JST, featuring speakers Richard Hough (President & CEO, Engine Lease Finance Corporation), Jeff Lewis, FRAeS (CEO, Hanwha Aviation), Roger Welaratne (Managing Director & CEO, SMBC Aero Engine Lease B.V.), Bobby Janagan (CEO, Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance) and Hirotoshi (Hiro) Yamamura (Executive Consultant, Business Development, Willis Lease Finance Corporation). Christian will moderate the "Sustainability Panel" on 10 April 2025 at 11:45 JST, with speakers Carst Lindeboom (Director Asia Pacific, TrueNoord), Alisa Schackmann (Chief of Staff and Sustainability Lead, Boeing), Anya Dinh (Aircraft Leasing and Purchasing Executive, VietJet Air), Stephane Nitenberg (Senior Vice President Strategic Partnership, OpenAirlines) and Keisuke Yasukochi (Global Intelligence Officer, SkyDrive). 🤝 If you will also be in Tokyo next week, please contact a member of the WFW team for a meeting. #WFW #Aviation #AirlineEconomics #Tokyo

🚢 Thank you to all our valued clients who attended our first New York Maritime Connect event on Monday evening.    It was fantastic to bring together such a diverse group of industry leaders in maritime to engage in insightful discussions about the evolving maritime landscape over the next four years, including the uncertainties brought by potential tariffs on Chinese-built vessels. We look forward to continuing the dialogue with you as we gain more clarity.   Thanks to everyone who could join us!   📸 Take a look at the pictures below!

📢 We are delighted to have advised Solar Ventures and Genia Solar Energy on the sale of the Spanish Valle Solar photovoltaic ("PV") to Saeta Yield, Masdar's Spanish subsidiary. Valle Solar is the largest PV project in Valencia with plans for a hybrid project to enhance grid stability. This transaction highlights Spain's importance in energy projects and WFW's role in major renewable deals. The WFW Madrid Corporate team was led by Madrid Office Head and Energy Sector Head – Europe & Americas Maria Pilar García Guijarro, working closely with Senior Associates Jaime Salazar Arrancudiaga and Román Pazos and Associate Juan Lozano de Diego. They were supported on regulatory matters by Partner David Diez Marcos, Senior Associate Ignacio Soria Petit and Associate Isabel Rodríguez de Codes López. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/e7mkw5Wa. #WFW #Spain #Solar #RenewableEnergy