ADVANT Nctm advises on an array of port, marine, and shipping logistics- related issues. The team’s coverage encompasses terminals, port facilities, and regulatory maritime safety issues. The shipping and logistics department is co-led by Alberto Rossi, ‘one of the most famous Italian shipping lawyers’; and Alfredo Lizio, who advises companies and financial institutions on shipping finance and contracts. The practice also showcases Giorgio Berlingieri, the chair of the Italian Maritime Law Association since 2005; and Alberto Torrazza, who advises on port logistics and EU law. Simone Gaggero is also highly regarded.

Watson Farley & Williams acts for charterers, shipyards, financial institutions, funds, insurance companies, maritime agencies, port operators and brokers on the full spectrum of maritime deals. Shipping specialist Furio Samela focuses on loan agreements, financial transactions, security packages, and the sale and purchase of vessels. Samela also advises on sale and leaseback deals, workouts, derivatives, and restructuring and insolvency. Also key to the group are Michele Autuori, who is ‘highly specialised in shipping and transportation law’; and Davide Canepa, whose practice includes shipping, maritime and shipbuilding disputes.

BonelliErede is sought out by shipowners, logistics operators, port authorities, terminal operators, shipyards, shipping agents, insurance companies, private equity funds, and banks. Its expertise ranges from shipbuilding, ship sales, purchases and financings, to dry shipping, insurance, reinsurance, ports, terminals, environmental law, litigation, and casualty and admiralty (among others). In Genoa, Andrea La Mattina advises on maritime, transport, insurance and private international law; Marco Mastropasqua ‘has deep and detailed maritime law knowledge’; and Marco Pirino also advises on maritime matters. With ‘great insight’, practice head Enrico Vergani primarily works from London.

The eight-strong department at LCA Studio Legale works across the firm’s Milan and Genoa offices. The practice assists carriers, insurance companies, freight forwarders, shipowners, shipyards and port operators on shipping matters (in both Italy and on an international basis). Group head Davide Magnolia’s workload covers seizures, collisions, international commercial law and insurance, along with vessel sales, purchases and chartering; and Giacomo Falsetta advises on maritime and intermodal transport law, as well as port, insurance and international trade law. Providing key support, Carlo Solari advises on maritime law and insurance.

Covering the Italian and English law aspects of the shipping and yachting industries, Studio Legale Lauro's practice covers ship arrests, charterparty and bill of lading disputes, and ship and yacht building contracts. With ’in-depth expertise of Italian shipping regulations’, the practice also covers collisions, marine pollution, cargo claims, cross-border transactions, ship finance and loan agreements, and international trade and commodity trading. ‘One of the most respected Italian shipping and insurance lawyers around’, Francesco Lauro heads the Naples-based group; and Ernesto Ardia advises shipowners on collisions, salvage and marine pollution.

Zunarelli – Studio Legale Associato's shipping practice advises shipowners’ associations and companies on the gamut of maritime navigation issues. Carriers, P&I Clubs, import and export companies, forwarders, brokers, logistics operators, terminal operators, port authorities, banks and insurers also mandate the firm for advice (both in Italy and abroad). The practice’s expertise includes the drafting of shipbuilding, ship lease, charter party and cargo transportation contracts. It additionally advises on competition, administrative and safety issues, along with yachting-related work. Firm founder and maritime law specialist Stefano Zunarelli heads the group from Bologna.

CBA Studio Legale e Tributario routinely advises financial institutions and companies, which are active in the shipping industry, on their funding requirements, including syndicated loans and financial leases. It also acts for major Italian and foreign cruising sector and shipping industry association clients. The group additionally assists with the financing of luxury yachts and leisure boats. Francesco Dialti leads the shipping and cruising and banking and finance departments from Milan.

Legance - Avvocati Associati is routinely mandated by national and international maritime companies, port terminal operators, shipyards, insurers, and banking and financial institutions. The group’s expertise encompasses shipping sector-related private equity transactions, and private equity funds investing in shipping and shipping debt. It is also noted for shipping-related restructuring. The team is jointly led by Claudia Gregori and Marco Cottone in Milan, alongside Iacopo Fontana, who works between Milan and London.