Anastasia Papadopoulou

Anastasia Papadopoulou advises shipbuilders, shipowners, lenders, and funds on complex finance structures, including term loans, revolving credit, equity investments, and sale-and-leaseback deals, with particular strength in restructurings and distressed assets. 

• Acted for a Chinese shipbuilder on their seller’s credit facility and security agreements in relation to the sale of two high-specification containerships in a deal worth US$74 million. 
• Acted for the financing arm of one of the world’s most reputable shipping companies in the provision of a revolving credit loan to a digital trade finance platform. 
• Acted for a Hong Kong-based hedge fund on a $14.5 million term facility provided for the refinancing of two crude Isle of Man flagged oil tankers which were bareboat chartered out to a major intra-Asia shipowner. The transaction coincided with the exit of a leading Chinese financial institution. 
• Acted for the financing arm of a US listed corporation on a $20 million refinancing of an Italian built 50m superyacht, documenting the loan and security, considering insolvency risks and enforcement scenarios. 
• Advised a UAE-based shipping and logistics group on their exit negotiations with an outgoing lender in relation to a $77 million term loan facility secured by four vessels and assisted with the refinancing and structuring of an ijara lease finance with a leading Middle Eastern financial institution. 

Anastasia specialises in ship sale and purchase, shipbuilding, registration and flagging, charterparties, ship management agreements, and a broad range of commercial shipping arrangements across global maritime markets. 

• Advised the shipping arm of a UAE-based conglomerate on their tanker fleet acquisition, assisted with joint venture and shareholders’ agreements and shareholders’ loans. 
• Assisted over the years with numerous sale and purchase transactions based on NSF1993 and NSF2012. 
• Assisted with numerous charterparty contracts based on Barecon1989, Barecon2001 and Barecon2017 and ship management contracts based on Shipman1998 and Shipman2009. 

Anastasia advises financial institutions and private equity on loan enforcement strategies, and distressed asset acquisitions, and solutions for recovering or repositioning maritime investments. 

• Advised a Far Eastern ship-owning group on insolvency matters and on negotiations relating to non-payment of charter hire and early termination of their bareboat contract forming part of a lease finance transaction. 
• Acted for a cruise operator on the cancellation of a contract for the provision of two mini cruise ships as accommodation facility for a sizeable drydock project undertaken by a reputable cruise line and the cancellation of the back-to-back charterparty arrangements. 
• Advised the London branch of an Indian bank on the enforcement of their term loan facilities in connection with two panamaxes and advised on the procedure for arresting ships in China and in the Netherlands. 
• Advised the London branch of a Nigerian bank on their framework agreement with a major financial institution dealing inter alia with the issuance, amendment and honouring of letters of credit between the institutions and advising on the liability and risks involved.

Anastasia advises logistics and freight businesses on outsourcing contracts, commercial terms, liability, and digital innovations, including software and blockchain-enabled freight solutions. 

• Assisted a Middle Eastern logistics company with ongoing work relating to port concessions, warehousing and the provision of ground services to counterparties in the region. 
• Advised a major supermarket chain in the UK on the procurement for the provision of sea freight services and negotiated sea freight contracts with major shipping container companies. 
• Advised a logistics group in Egypt on their slot agreements, bills of lading and freight forwarding agreements and related disputes. 

Anastasia advises shipowners and financial institutions on ship finance, including term loan facilities for the acquisition of newbuilding or second-hand ships, debt finance restructurings, revolving credit facilities, and lease finance transactions.  

• Acted for a Chinese shipbuilder on their seller’s credit facility and security agreements in relation to the sale of two high-specification containerships in a deal worth US$74 million. 
• Acted for the financing arm of one of the world’s most reputable shipping companies in the provision of a revolving credit loan to a digital trade finance platform. 
• Acted for a Hong Kong-based hedge fund on a $14.5 million term facility provided for the refinancing of two crude Isle of Man flagged oil tankers which were bareboat chartered out to a major intra-Asia shipowner. The transaction coincided with the exit of a leading Chinese financial institution. 
• Acted for the financing arm of a US listed corporation on a $20 million refinancing of an Italian built 50m superyacht, documenting the loan and security, considering insolvency risks and enforcement scenarios. 
• Advised a UAE-based shipping and logistics group on their exit negotiations with an outgoing lender in relation to a $77 million term loan facility secured by four vessels and assisted with the refinancing and structuring of an ijara lease finance with a leading Middle Eastern financial institution. 

Anastasia advises Greek clients on ship sale and purchase, shipbuilding, registration and flagging, charterparties, and commercial shipping agreements. 

• Advised a Greek ship-owning group on a $34 million refinancing of four chemical tankers by a New York-headquartered and highly reputable global asset manager. 
• Acted for a Greek financial institution on the amendment of a $85 million term loan facility entered into by a reputable Greek shipowner to deal with bareboat chartering arrangements in Latin America. 
• Advised a Greek ship-owning group in relation to the group’s reorganisation and the structuring of a tanker pool, assisted with the negotiation of a pool-backed revolving credit facility entered into with a multinational investment bank. 
• Acted for a Greek shipowning group in relation to the restructuring of the group.  
• Acted for a Greek-based operator on the negotiation of its slot agreements, bills of lading and freight forwarding agreements, and advised on related disputes.  
• Advised a Greek shipowning group on a US$143 million refinancing project with a French financial institution in relation to seven dry bulk carriers, involving inter alia the negotiation of a junior bond subscription agreement and various intercreditor arrangements.  

Recognised by Chambers UK for Shipping 2024–2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Shipping 2018–2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Bank Lending and Travel 2025-2026

Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 as a Ship Finance Lawyer who advises ship owners and financial institutions on debt finance restructurings and lease finance transactions.