Yachting Law

We have extensive experience representing shipowners in the negotiation and execution of construction projects for yachts of 25 meters and above. Our advisory services span the entire lifecycle of the project, from the design phase to the physical delivery. We guide our clients through the intricacies of each stage and milestone of their project. Throughout the process, we ensure seamless coordination between marine surveyors, yacht designers, and other professionals involved in the construction.

We assist our clients throughout the entire process, from preparing and negotiating the documentation and pre-purchase process for used yachts to the successful closing of the sale. Our goal is to ensure that all necessary safeguards are incorporated into the purchase agreement (most commonly the MYBA Memorandum of Agreement) and, when acting for buyers, to optimize the yacht's new ownership structure to align with their objectives.

We highly value our strong relationships with leading private banks involved in pre- and post-delivery financing for new yachts and superyachts. We also support our clients in restructuring existing financing arrangements. Over the years, we have developed robust loan documentation tailored to the specific requirements of the yacht industry. This expertise is particularly beneficial when representing client interests on the borrower’s side.

We advise our clients on the most suitable ways to structure the ownership and management of their superyachts. This requires a meticulous assessment of VAT, customs, registration, and other regulatory aspects that are critical to their operations. Additionally, we provide guidance on operational matters such as crew arrangements, chartering (if commercial use is intended), and their relationships with yacht managers and other professionals involved in the day-to-day activities of a yacht.

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Our team supports yacht owners in their refit projects. These may involve a complete overhaul of the yacht or, in other cases, the interior and exterior outfitting of a finished hull and superstructure.