Lauded by one client as ‘without doubt the top shipping law firm in Spain’, Albors Galiano Portales is a strong choice for the gamut of shipping law mandates, for which it is frequently instructed by shipowners, charterers and operators alike. Core areas of expertise include handling claims involving collisions, salvage, towage, wreck removal and pollution, as well as advising on marine insurance, shipbuilding, ship finance, and the sale and purchase of vessels. Eduardo Albors, who shines in maritime, insurance and commercial arbitrations, and Javier Portales, who focuses on maritime, aviation and insurance law, jointly oversee the practice- ‘Up-and-coming star’ Jaime Albors is an additional key contact for advisory and contentious shipping matters.

Noted for its ‘pragmatism’ and ‘extensive knowledge of marine insurance issues’, the group at Avante Legal is equipped to handle contentious shipping mandates involving breach of contract, fires, damages, collisions and environmental contamination, as well as advising on the sale and purchase of vessels. Julio López Quiroga steers the team and has focused his practice on contractual matters and disputes relating to the maritime, transport, logistics and insurance sectors. ‘Reference’ Antonio Quirós specialises in casualty work and marine insurance, while Jacobo Tojeiro is often retained by P&I clubs for marine casualty claims. Hannah de Bustos is an additional key contact for shipping dispute resolution.

Praised for its ‘extensive knowledge and experience in maritime law’, the team at Garrigues is equipped to handle a range of shipping matters, including claims involving collisions, salvage, cargo and environmental liabilities. Additional core areas of expertise include advising on the financing, registration and sale of vessels, and insurance and reinsurance mandates. Practice head Jesus Barbadillo specialises in advising shipping companies, insurers and shipyards on regulatory matters. Additional names to note include Manuel Betancor, who is based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; and Madrid-based litigator María Cózar.

Lauded for its ‘extensive knowledge of maritime matters’, the team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is well placed to advise shipowners, insurers, charterers, suppliers and P&I clubs on ship finance, shipbuilding and repair mandates. The group is also equipped to handle claims relating to fires, damages, pollution and casualties. Leadership of the group is shared between Juan Alegre, who focuses on shipping and international trade matters; Bernardo Ruiz Lima, who handles shipping insurance claims, logistics and transport issues, and salvage proceedings; Gonzalo Alvar, who is skilled in contractual work; and Victor Mata, whose expertise covers personal injury cases, contractual disputes and salvage proceedings.

Singled out for its ‘immediate and concrete responses’, the team at Uría Menéndez routinely assists shipping companies, port operators, shipyards, banks, insurance companies and P&I Clubs with a range of shipping matters. Core areas of expertise for the group include financing, shipbuilding contracts, charter arrangements, cargo claims and M&A transactions within the shipping and transport sectors. The practice is led by Carlos López-Quiroga, who specialises in M&A and corporate restructuring transactions in the transport sector and is lauded for his ‘knowledge, proximity to clients and availability at all times’. Additional names to note include commercial and financing specialists Luz Martínez de Azcoitia, José Sánchez-Fayos and Diego Pérez.

Boutique Mestre Abogados manages a broad range of dry and wet shipping matters, with a strong focus on resolving disputes concerning maritime casualties, financing, commercial contracts, repairers' liability, and insurance claims. The practice is led by Anna Mestre, a leading figure in maritime law in Spain.

Lauded for its ‘perfect knowledge of local law, procedures and of the industry in general’, the team at PEREZ ALBORS | & CO is equipped to act on contentious mandates that include ship arrests, cargo claims, P&I and marine insurance claims, shipbuilding disputes, and collision and salvage cases. The practice is co-led by founders Carlos Pérez, who is based in Madrid, and María Albors, who is based in Sotogrande. The practice heads garner client praise for their ‘personal dedication to each topic and issue’.

The group at Rogers & Co. Abogados specialises in handling contentious shipping mandates, including claims involving damage to cargo and vessels, personal injury and ship arrest. Leading the team is Luis Alberto García, a key contact for shipping companies, transporters and insurers.

Praised by one client as standing out for its ‘professionalism’ and ‘legal and sector knowledge’, SAN SIMON & DUCH‘s shipping team advises shipyards, shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, insurers, port authorities and financial institutions on a range of contentious and transactional shipping mandates. Leadership is shared between Madrid-based practitioners Mercedes Duch, Diego de San Simón and Luis de San Simón, the latter of whom is noted as ‘an accomplished and experienced lawyer’; along with Valencia-based Carlos Cerda and Algeciras-based Ignacio Rodríguez.

Lauded for its ‘extensive experience in everything related to shipbuilding financing’, the team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP is highly specialised in tax leasing, aquaculture matters and purchase and sale agreements. Leadership is shared between Alfredo Cabellos and Laura Cadenas, noted as ‘pro-deal lawyers who always try to find solutions to problems’. Cabellos advises shipowners and banks on tax and structured finance transactions, while Cadenas focuses on the financing of ships and aircraft and advises on shipbuilding contracts. Jose María Pery and Daniel Refoyo provide across-the-board support.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo‘s shipping capabilities are centred on financing, for which it is frequently instructed by banks, financial institutions, shipping and charter companies, and shipbuilders. The team is overseen by Madrid-based Carlos Rueda and Fernando Herrero, along with Vigo-based María García de la Concha Álvarez. Rueda specialises in asset financing, infrastructure financing and project finance transactions; Herrero has focused his practice on asset finance, banking and debt capital markets work; and García de la Concha Álvarez advises shipping and charter companies on the refinancing of loans.

Noted for its ‘agility, quality of service’ and ‘extensive technical background’, the team at Kennedys routinely assists shipowners, shipyards, logistics companies and insurers with a range of shipping mandates. Core areas of expertise include advising on vessel purchase, finance, chartering and shipbuilding, and litigation involving cargo and vessel loss and maritime salvage claims. The ‘strategic’ José Pellicer directs the practice group; insurance-focused Paula Petit is an additional key contact.

MA Abogados‘s team handles a range of shipping matters that includes arbitrations relating to salvage and the international trade of goods, cargo and insurance claims, offshore contracts, and shipbuilding. Carlos Salinas Adelantado and Sara Recatalá Chordá jointly oversee the practice. Salinas Adelantado specialises in arbitration and litigation relating to commercial, transport and international trade law; Recatalá Chordá, for her part, focuses on insolvency, maritime, corporate, and competition law.

The ‘pragmatic and proactive team’ at Muñoz & Montañes routinely represents shipowners and P&I clubs in litigation relating to damages to vessels and cargo. Alicia Montañés steers the practice and specialises in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings. Also noted are Celia Lopera, who focuses on maritime and international trade law, and Pablo Ibañez, who handles insurance law matters as well as salvage proceedings, casualty claims, and the repatriation of stowaways.