A responsive and top-level firm with deep industry knowledge, Banwo & Ighodalo has a robust Shipping, Aviation & International Trade practice and provides advice that is relevant to client’s care objective – Legal 500 US Special EditionThe in-depth industry knowledge and specialist shipping and international trade expertise of our team enables us to advise on various transactions relating to charterparties, bills of lading, corporate structures for ship ownership and joint ventures, management agreements, flag and operational registrations, employment, port & logistics, ship finance and lease, ship sale and purchase, ship mortgage registrations, ship recycling, crude oil and commodities trading, trade finance, international sales, documentary credit, marine insurance, marine casualties, pollution, piracy, ship arrest and release, Nigerian Cabotage trade and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010. Banwo & Ighodalo represents owners, charterers, shipyards, insurers, protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs, financiers, international agencies, brokers, offshore and marine companies, port and terminal operators/promoters, petroleum marketing and distribution companies, commodity trading houses and trade associations. Casualty Emergency Response out-of-office hotline: Call +234 (0) 803 818 6617, 234 810 369 8795
Case Notes
- Advised in connection with a multi-million Dollar senior secured asset backed term loan advanced to an indigenous shipping company for the purpose of refinancing the acquisition of a Platform Supply Vessel and financing the acquisition of an Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel.
- Advised in connection with the discontinued multi-million Dollar senior secured asset backed term loan to be advanced to an indigenous shipping company for the purpose of refinancing a facility obtained from another Nigerian commercial bank for the acquisition of three (3) tugboats and three (3) crew boats.
- Advised in connection with a multi-million Dollar Senior Secured Medium Term Facility advanced to a major downstream Nigerian oil and gas company for the financing of the acquisition of a 40,000MT double hull vessel.
Advised First Bank in connection with the registration of security over vessels registered offshore acquired by an indigenous operator with a credit facility provided by the Bank.
Advised Global Maritime and Port Services Pte Ltd in its capacity as Transaction Advisors to the Technical Committee for the development of the proposed deep sea port in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria sponsored by the Akwa Ibom State Government of Nigeria.
Advised Bumi Armada in relation to a proposed contract for the provision of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel (“FPSO”) for field development activities to be undertaken at an oil field, located offshore Nigeria.
We advised and represented the Endofa Group in respect of several maritime and commercial litigations at the Federal High Court, as well as several appeals at the Court of Appeal. We also represented the Group in an arrest proceeding against a tanker vessel to recover sums due from the supply of bunker.
Advised Nordic Trustee ASA in connection with the restructuring of the bond issued by the Sea Trucks Group in favour of the Bond Trustee (on behalf of the bond holders). We proffered legal advice in relation to the Transaction to conform same with Nigerian law and regulatory requirements.
Advised Svitzer Middle East Limited on the restructuring of a multi-million dollar credit facility advanced to Supreme Offshore Limited for the acquisition of an Offshore Support Vessel (“OSV”).
Advised in connection with its procurement and registration in Nigeria of a US$140 Million Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
Advised its shipping and maritime division in connection with its proposed acquisition of a concession for the Apapa Terminal E of the Lagos ports.
Advised a Lloyd’s syndicate of reinsurers, American insurers and the owners of the liftboat Mako on legal issues related to the total loss of the Mako as a result of a fire incidence on a nearby rig at a contract location in Nigeria; the owner’s rights for compensation Claim(s) and negotiating the insurers claim for damages to the Liftboat.
Advised and represented the Club at the Federal High Court in respect of an in rem action arising from an offshore collision.
We are advising and representing the Company at the Federal High Court in an in rem action arising from a claim for supply of bunkers to a vessel.
Advised in relation to a dispute regarding a rice cargo exported to Nigeria on behalf of two (2) major indigenous trading companies.
Advised in relation to proposed recovery matters in Nigeria.
Advised on the detention of a crude oil tanker by the Nigerian Navy.
Acted for the Swedish Club in an alleged personal injury claim involving a stevedore whilst working onboard a member’s vessel which berthed in Lagos, Nigeria.
Advised MS Amlin (formerly Raetsmarine Insurance B.V.) in respect of its official approval by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for the issuance of Blue Cards pursuant to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage and the Athens Convention. We successfully procured the approval, which was the first time in its history that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will officially approve a non-member of the International Group of P&I Clubs as a recognized P&I insurer in Nigeria.
Advised in connection with the bareboat charter of a Liberian flagged 5000MT motor tanker vessel to a Nigerian charterer and procuring the regulatory permits and approvals necessary for the registration of the vessel in Nigerian and perfecting Unico’s interests in the vessel whilst under charter into Nigeria.
Acted as Nigerian Legal Counsel in respect of the sale and purchase of a US$21 Million 79,001 MT vessel, to be used as a floating storage facility for certain petroleum products, by its subsidiary company, VTN Shipping Inc. to a major downstream Nigerian oil and gas company.
Advised on a new building contract for the construction and sale of a Fast Crew/Utility Boat by a Singapore shipyard.
Advised on a new building contract for the construction and sale of Fast Crew Boats by a Turkish shipyard.
Advising in connection with its proposed intra-group restructuring and business spin-off transaction.
Acted in the recognition and enforcement of an Arbitral Award (arising out of a time charterparty dispute and made in London pursuant to the London Maritime Arbitrators Association terms) against a Nigerian counterparty at the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
Advised in connection with a $20,000,000 bonds & guarantee facility underlying issuance of performance bonds & guarantees to contractual counterparties and the Nigerian Customs Service in connection with its applications for Temporary Import Permits for its vessels.
Retained as counsel to render regular legal advisory services in relation to its maritime work and company secretarial services to the Company.
Advising in relation to its international freight forwarding business which includes operations in Nigeria, Azerbaijan, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Advising Bourbon and one of its affiliates, Petromarine Nigeria Limited (PNL) in connection with the termination of the Seller Credit Facility advanced to PNL for the acquisition of specialized vessels.
Advised Bourbon and one of its Nigerian subsidiaries, Bourbon Logistics Nigeria Limited, in connection with the financing and acquisition of a Vessel Base (comprised landed property adjoining a river and a private jetty) in Port- Harcourt, Nigeria and on its interface with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
Rendered legal advisory services to the Company particularly in relation to debt recovery matters involving Nigerian companies.
Advised African Finance Corporation and Ecobank Nigeria Limited in connection with the discontinued development of a mutli-purpose port terminal in Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria by the Modandola Group and its foreign partners for the import and export of bulk cargo, vehicle roll-on, roll off, and containers. Our responsibilities included drafting, review and negotiation of Project and finance documentation.
Advised Nedbank Limited on an Export Credit Insurance Corporation backed export credit facility advanced to a Nigerian marine service company for the acquisition of a Nautic 35 multipurpose patrol and crew vessel.
Advising Thome Ship Management Pte. Limited in connection with the structuring and execution of its proposed operation and maintenance of a floating production storage and offloading unit (“FPSO”) currently stationed in Nigerian waters.
Acting for Gulf Petrochem FZC in a claim for the breach of a contract in respect of the carriage of circa 25,000 KT of Gasoil by Northbridge Energy Limited, through its Broker, Natural Resources Europe Limited.
Acted for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in relation to claims for supplemental calls for insurance premium in respect of the provision of marine insurance cover for its vessels.
Acted for NIDAS Marine Limited (marine subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) in relation to claims arising from a contract for the transportation of circa 2 million barrels of crude oil.
