Industry focus: Transport in Belgium

A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman‘s infrastructure and transport team wins plaudits for its handling of major projects in the transport sector. Public authorities, operators, financial institutions and construction companies are among the firm’s varied client base. Filip Tanghe heads up the practice and is embedded in the financing aspects of PPP rail, road and port projects. Gauthier van Thuyne is equipped to handle advisory and contentious transport mandates for public sector clients. Fee Goossens is also noted.

Responsables de la pratique:

Filip Tanghe


Autres avocats clés:

Gauthier van Thuyne; Fee Goossens


Les références

‘Filip Tanghe is very experienced.’

Principaux clients

Frontline


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted on the Belgian tax aspects of the cross-border merger between listed companies Frontline Ltd. and Euronav NV.

ASTREA CVBA

Praised for its ‘pre-eminent service in the field of maritime law‘, ASTREA CVBA‘s contentious and advisory expertise also extends to transport law in general. The Antwerp-based team has a focus on cargo and ship interests and is geared to handle matters such as cargo damage claims, seizures of ocean-going vessels and maritime appraisals. Commercial law specialist Marc Van Looveren heads up the unit and frequently represents companies in cases related to collisions at sea, ship’s arrests and charterparty disputes. Ruud De Houwer is mandated by clients ranging from shipping companies to public authorities to assist with issues such as cargo claims and general average-related mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

Marc Van Looveren


Autres avocats clés:

Ruud De Houwer


Les références

‘Pre-eminent service in the field of maritime law with the additional benefit of being part of a larger firm where more areas of law are covered: first class.’

‘The firm takes a very practical approach and is business oriented.’

‘Knowledgeable in the field with a deep understanding of business needs.’

Principaux clients

Skuld P&I


North Standard


West of England P&I


Belgian Federal Government – Department of Transport and Mobility


Belgian Federal Government – Department of Health and the Environment


Saga Welco


Briese Schiffahrts / BBC Shipping Chartering


Great White Fleet (Chiquita)


Einride AB


Dole GmbH


Maersk


Spliethof, Transfennica


Fast Forward Freight


Crystal Cruises


Katoen Natie Group


Van Es Group


Noord Natie Holding


SCUA Belgium


Lukoil Benelux BV


Topoil AB


Heros Sluiskil BV


Saga Welco


U.K. Club


Cargill


Arcadia Commodities Trading


LIEBHERR


Marincon


Steelforce


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing the Belgian federal government in a high-profile collision case involving the mv. “Flinterstar”, which was hit by the gas tanker mv. “Al Oraiq”.
  • Representing the owners of the mv. “BBC Virginia”, in respect of a cargo claim citing a loss of approx. $14m as a result of alleged fire damage to yachts shipped aboard the vessel.

Kegels Advocaten

Kegels Advocaten is praised for its expertise in ‘complicated brown and blue water cases’, alongside its ‘practical and technical knowledge and years of experience in international litigation’. Core strengths include logistics matters (spanning sea, rail, road and air issues), fact finding work and maritime disputes such high-profile capsize and sinking cases. André Kegels, Peter Noben and Wim Drofmans jointly lead the team; Kegels is well placed to represents shipowners in collision cases, while Drofmans is a key contact for insurers looking for representation in the recovery of claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

André Kegels; Peter Noben; Wim Drofmans


Les références

‘Kegels Advocaten covers almost all fields of expertise required in complicated brown and blue water cases. The team offers both practical and technical knowledge and years of experience in international litigation.’

‘André Kegels is always available to assist and he remains calm in any circumstance. He cuts right to the chase and has a phenomenal gift to make difficult things sound easy and to explain a situation in a way which is understandable for anyone.’

‘Both André Kegel and Wim Drofmans are very good and knowledgeable in their field.’

Ambos

The transport and logistics team at Ambos is equipped to handle matters ranging from up-to-date issues, such as matters involving autonomous vessels, to traditional transport law cases including cargo claims and accidents. The ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic’ Ingrid Van Clemen heads up the team from the firm’s Antwerp office and has a proven track record in maritime litigation. Her colleague Philippe Van Dijck is well placed to handle both transactional and contentious maritime mandates as well as contentious road rules matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ingrid Van Clemen


Autres avocats clés:

Philippe Van Dijck


Les références

‘Great contact, knowledgeable experts who dive into the topic to explore it in close cooperation with the clients needs.’

‘Very good price/quality ratio. Prompt action undertaken and replies provided. Realistic assessment of chances of success when proceedings are commenced.’

‘Ingrid Van Clemen has the capacity to quickly and promptly analyse complex files.’

Principaux clients

Grimaldi Lines


EuroChem Antwerpen NV


Port Authority Ghent


CBM


Belgian P&I


MSC (PSA Terminal Antwerp)


DP World Antwerp Terminal


Silk Way Airlines


Belgian Government (Transport Ministry)


Flemish Government (Pilot Dept)


GWM Surveys


Antwerp Shipping Federation


Solvay


Delhaize


Sea Tank Terminal / Sea Invest


CH Robinson


SW Trucking


Steder Group


AR Trans


DAL (Deutsches Afrika Linien)


Maersk


SN Shipping


Deawoo Logistics Corporation


Cosco shipping


Hassan Law Firm


RSA Luxemburg


Umicore


Summer Bash


Sea Forward


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting the shipping line Cosco Shipping in a procedure relating to collecting demurrage and the detention of several containers shipped from Belgium.
  • Represented SN Shipping in summary proceedings and arrest proceedings after the shipping line was faced with a strike in the original delivery terminal and unloaded in another port.
  • Assisted Deawoo Shipping in a case of lost bills of lading.

Leeward

Described as 'creative thinkers’ and 'very knowledgeable and specialised', the team at Leeward is known for its prowess in the fields of transport, postal and road law with additional knowledge of criminal proceedings related to social dumping. The Brugge-based trio of Jeroen Villé, Armin Wintein and Saar De Gelas leads the group; the latter joined the practice in March 2023 as part of the firm’s merger with Weegmann-De Gelas Law. Wintein is described as having ‘shipping in his DNA’ , while De Galas boosts the firm’s criminal transport law capabilities.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jeroen Villé; Armin Wintein; Saar De Gelas


Les références

‘The team is very easy to work with. Short lines, good communication. They are quick and deliver what you need. Very knowledgeable and specialised. Creative thinkers.’

‘Armin Wintein and Jeroen Villé – Apart from legal expertise, they are both great guys to work with.’

‘If I had to recommend a maritime law office, Leeward would be one of the few.’

Principaux clients

bpost


ECS


Greenyard


International Car Operators


Kreiss


Vos Logistics


Manvesta


Railtraxx


New Silkway Logistics


Europa Worldwide


Widem


Dynalogic


Stow Group


Zeppelin GmbH


Noerpel GmbH


Flexport


Principaux dossiers


  • Drafting the complex logistics contractual framework for a leading terminal operator.
  • Assisting various leading international transport companies in social disputes with the Belgian authorities.
  • Representing various Belgian transport companies in French Correctional Courts for transport related infractions.

Lydian

Lydian‘s multidisciplinary port and logistics team is active across transport-related disputes, notably in the rail sector, and also handles corporate transactions and port, logistics and shipping sector agreements. The unit is also well placed to provide regulatory assistance to logistics clients wishing to enter the Belgian market. Practice chair Yves Lenders is highly regarded for his work on railway disputes and port projects. ‘Good strategist’ Pieter-Jan Van Mierlo is equipped to handle disputes related to rail freight transport and logistics services agreements.

Responsables de la pratique:

Yves Lenders


Autres avocats clés:

Pieter-Jan Van Mierlo


Les références

‘Pieter-Jan Van Mierlo is responsive, well-organised a good strategist and pragmatic.’

‘What I highly appreciate at Lydian is their expertise, friendliness and modesty.’

‘Pieter-Jan Van Mierlo’s analysis is always to the point and business oriented. We can count on him for complex transport and insurance claims.’

Principaux clients

Lineas NV


De Lijn


DFDS Belgium NV


DFDS A/S


STIB-MIVB


Water-link OV


Klipsch Group Europe BV


Cotac Belgium NV


Metrans a.s.


Combinant NV


Puratos NV


Talia Shipping Line Co. Sarl


Crossrail Benelux NV


Uniqa Towarzystwo Ubezpieczen SA


H. Essers Railport NV (previously Euro Terminal Genk)


United Parcel Services (UPS) Belgium


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing DFDS Belgium NV in several proceedings against subcontractors and assisting it in a wide array of logistics services related issues.
  • Representing Combinant NV following a derailment of a Hupac NV owned wagon operated by Railtraxx NV on its private railway infrastructure hub in the Antwerp port.
  • Representing Crossrail Benelux NV in a case regarding the collision of two freight trains (Crossrail train and Locon (Logistics) train) in Dalldorf – Leiferde (Germany) on 17 November 2022.

Quadrant

Quadrant‘s rapidly growing Antwerp-based practice covers a wide array of transport issues including maritime liability claims, customs law, road transport issues and matters relating to logistics intermediaries. Dirk Noels, described as ‘a true wizard in the field of maritime law’, is a key contact at the firm; his broad practice includes working as an arbitrator in CEPANI arbitrations relating to shipping and transport matters. Kristin Verhaegen frequently leverages her expertise in insolvency to advise on matters in the field of transport, while Jan Delen has in-depth knowledge of shipping and customs matters. Patrick Rubens, Pierre Bogaerts and Jan Everaerts, all of whom joined from Marcon & Rubens in April 2023, are further names to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dirk Noels; Patrick Rubens; Pierre Bogaerts; Kristin Verhaegen; Jan Everaerts; Valerie Diercken; Jan Delen


Les références

‘Dirk Noels is a bright, understanding and commercial lawyer.’

‘Perfect communication of knowledge and drive.’

‘We only work with Dirk Noels who is very attentive to our demands. Answers to queries are rapidly forthcoming.’

Principaux clients

ICC Belgium


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising the ICC Belgium with regard to the presently ongoing legislative work on the reform of the Belgian Customs & Excise legislation.

Deloitte Legal

A key name for clients from the transport and logistics sector as well as the ports and shipping sector, Deloitte Legal assists public bodies and private corporations with issues encompassing PPPs, public transport mandates and passenger transport law. Corporate law specialist Marc Van tieghem co-heads the practice alongside public law expert Kathleen De hornois, who equipped to assist with the drafting of legislation pertaining to water and seaborne transport. Wim Naudts and Jasmine Coppens further extend the public law expertise at the firm.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kathleen De hornois; Marc Van tieghem


Autres avocats clés:

Wim Naudts; Jasmine Coppens


Principaux clients

De Vlaamse Waterweg


NMBS / SNCB


Infrabel


Vlaamse overheid – Departement Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken


Agentschap voor Maritieme Dienstverlening en Kust


Flanders Hydraulics


Port of Antwerp


Belgian Coast Guard (Kustwacht)


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting as a trusted adviser to the Flemish Government regarding passenger transport and its implementation in law.
  • Drafting a cooperation agreement between Eigen Vermogen Flanders Hydraulics and the Hydraulic Laboratory outlining the main principles of their structural cooperation regarding personnel, infrastructure, accounting, subsidies, intellectual property, governance, etc.
  • Assisting the coast guard with its future internal structure. This assignment includes assistance with the drafting of a new regulatory framework.

DLA Piper

Well positioned to advise clients on existing and new EU legislation and regulations in the context of transport-related work, DLA Piper is also geared to advise on aviation and railway-related regulatory matters, public procurements and matters pertaining to maritime law. Bob Martens, Ilse Van de Mierop and tax partner Nicolas Engelmann share leadership duties; Martens is an authority on aviation regulation, while Van de Mierop has a focus on restructuring mandates with a transport component.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bob Martens; Ilse Van de Mierop; Nicolas Engelmann


Autres avocats clés:

Eddy Lievens; Charles Dumont de Chassart


Principaux clients

skeyes (formerly Belgocontrol)


Sabena (in bankruptcy)


Sabena Aerospace Engineering SA / SABCA (Orizio Group)


Consortia TM COTU & TM ROCO


Scania Belgium NV/SA


Tesla


Katoen Natie


SkeyDrone


Belgian railways (NMBS/SNCB)


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing and providing legal assistance to skeyes in connection with a number of issues and disputes deriving from HR difficulties in relation to staffing issues and a social conflict.

Eubelius

Eubelius‘ ‘excellent team of driven experts’ has expertise across roads, rail and aviation. Areas of activity for the firm include toll-related work - the group is praised for its ‘broad knowledge of EETS regulation’ - PPP projects in the public transport sector, and the drafting of sector-specific contracts. A bevy of practitioners head up the team with leadership duties divided between Alain François, Anthony Logghe, Barteld Schutyser, Jeroen Delvoie, Jan Bocken, Rosita GeelenBart MartelPieter Callens and Anneleen Van De Meulebroucke.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alain François; Anthony Logghe; Barteld Schutyser; Jeroen Delvoie; Jan Bocken; Rosita Geelen; Bart Martel ; Pieter Callens; Anneleen Van de Meulebroucke


Autres avocats clés:

Hans Plancke


Les références

‘Eubelius is hands-on, pragmatic and to the point.’

‘Eubelius has an excellent team of driven experts who specialise in our sector.’

‘We greatly appreciate the fact that the individual lawyers at Eubelius continue to specialise in very specific areas, always keeping us up to date on upcoming changes and assisting us in the most serious crises with a thorough and calm approach.’

Principaux clients

Asco Industries


Audi Brussels


De Lijn


De Werkvennootschap (previously Via-invest)


Departement Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken (MOW)


Government of the Netherlands – Department of Infrastructure and Water (IenW)


Havenbedrijf Antwerpen


NMBS


Rijksdienst Waterstaat (the Netherlands)


skeyes (previously Belgocontrol)


Thalys International


Touring


TUI-Group


Viapass


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising and assisting the Dutch Ministry of “Infrastructuur en Waterstaat” and RDW with the implementation of a road charging system for heavy goods vehicles as well as a temporary tolling project.
  • Acting as the exclusive legal adviser to the public transport operator De Lijn for the structuring, awarding and implementation of all its PPP infrastructure (bus depots and tramway) and rolling stock projects.
  • Assisting NMBS (public rail company) with an array of complex or contentious public contracts, projects and concessions.

ITL Attorneys

Formerly known as Transport & Logistiek Advocaten, the firm merged with Dutch and Polish law office Vallenduuk Transport Advocaten in late 2023 to form ITL Attorneys, which draws praise for its ‘exceptional grasp of all aspects of transport law’. The team has a strong focus on work for road transport clients. Litigation is the cornerstone of the practice, which also handles work in areas such as insurance and tax. Frederik Vanden Bogaerde, Vincent Van Der Mast and Mathias Dendievel share leadership duties.

Responsables de la pratique:

Frederik Vanden Bogaerde; Vincent Van der Mast; Mathias Dendievel


Les références

‘The team are very knowledgeable in the transport sector. They really understand what clients need to do. Working with them is very straight forward.’

‘The team has an exceptional grasp of all aspects of transport law, whether it be the on penal, social, commercial or fiscal aspects. It is refreshing that their main focus is on road transport law, where not a lot of real experts can be found.’

‘Frederik Vanden Bogaerde has been a household name in road transport work for a very long time. He is very strong in litigation and auditing and has a very good reputation for court work, especially in the penal and social aspects of road transport.’

Principaux clients

ECS2XL


K&L Gates GP

K&L Gates GP is noted for providing advice on international and European transport legislation, incorporating aviation, rail, road and maritime transport issues. Practice co-head Mélanie Bruneau has in-depth knowledge of the commercial issues faced by logistics companies, while co-lead Antoine de Rohan Chabot frequently advises on EU regulatory issues faced by transport and aviation companies. Fomer co-head Philip Torbøl left the firm in 2024, shortly before publication.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mélanie Bruneau; Antoine de Rohan Chabot


Principaux clients

World Fuel Services


Amadeus


Formula 1


Kennedys

Kennedys is instructed by logistics companies and their insurers across shipping, road transport, and cargo handling issues, as well as acting for international airlines in matters such as cargo claims, robberies, and road transportation disputes. Practice head Dimitri de Bournonville is an authority on aviation finance and regulatory matters. Dries Deschuttere leverages his background in insurance law to handle, among other issues, claims that airline clients receive for compensation to passengers following a delay or cancelled flight.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dimitri de Bournonville


Autres avocats clés:

Dries Deschuttere


Les références

‘Deep industry knowledge, the firm understands what a company needs.’

‘High performance team for regulatory matters in the transport and shipping sector. Quick and actionable advice.’

‘Dimitri de Bournonville heads the team with a no-nonsense approach tailored to clients’ needs always going the extra mile.’

Principaux clients

AIG


Air Belgium


Air Transport Services Group


ASL Airlines Belgium


ASL Aviation Group


Atkins


Aviabel


Aviapartner


AXA


CAL Cargo Airlines


Challenge Airlines Group


Charles Taylor Adjusting


Canopius


Dantec


Delvag


DHL


Emirates


Etihad Airways


Fedex / TNT Express


Finnair


Girteka


Global Aerospace


HungaroControl


JP Ryan


LOT Polish Airlines


Luxair


Macquarie Air Finance


Marsh


Norddeutsche Landesbank


RV Transport


Ryanair


Silversea


SI INSURANCE (Europe)


Swiss International Airlines


Swissport Cargo Services


Thai Airways


Vueling


CNA Hardy


Travelers


Generali


Royal Caribbean International


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for CV Starr as lead insurers in the defence of multiple cargo claims against Air Belgium and CMA CGM for intercontinental transportation of cargo.
  • Assisted CNA Hardy as cargo insurer in relation to a claim involving a bulk shipment of diesel that indicated shortage of 79 MT after loading and incurred contamination on route.
  • Appointed to assist the cabinet of the Minister of Transport and the Federal Administration of Mobility in relation to the renegotiation of the management contract between the Belgian State and Skeyes.

Liedekerke

Liedekerke is active across a broad range of transactional, contentious and advisory matters for clients such as domestic and foreign airlines, insurers and major players in the railway industry. Olivier Vanden Berghe and Jean Pierre Kesteloot jointly lead the the practice, and Jonas Vansevenant has a focus on commercial law in the aviation sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jean Pierre Kesteloot; Olivier Vanden Berghe


Autres avocats clés:

Jonas Vansevenant


Principaux clients

Brussels Airlines


Pet Food Europe Bv


Groupon International Travel Gmbh C/O BDS


Uber


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Brussels Airlines before the EU General Court in Luxembourg in connection with Ryanair’s appeal against the European Commission’s decision to approve the Belgian government’s €290m Covid-19 state aid package.
  • Assisting Uber with matters including defending Uber in court actions brought by taxi companies TRB (Taxi Radio Bruxellois or Taxi Verts) and defending Uber drivers in criminal proceedings.
  • Assisting Groupon with questions related to the discontinuation of travel offers on the Belgian website of Groupon.

Reed Smith

Reed Smith‘s far-reaching transport offering is piloted by Christian Filippitsch, Isabelle Rahman and Yves Melin.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christian Filippitsch; Isabelle Rahman; Yves Melin


Simont Braun

Simont Braun‘s transport offering handles M&A work, real estate advice to railway companies, and town planning advisory work. Steven Callens co-heads the practice and is able to leverage his corporate M&A expertise to advise major players in the transport sector, while fellow co-head Manuela Von Kuegelgen is equipped to assist public and private entities with major infrastructure projects relating to transport. Renaud van Melsen is another name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Steven Callens; Manuela von Kuegelgen


Autres avocats clés:

Renaud van Melsen


Les références

‘A practice with competence, rigour and precision.’

‘The team is involved and available.’

Principaux clients

Mercedes (Daimler)


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing a consumer organisation acting on behalf of about 40,000 passengers in a class action against Ryanair.
  • Acting as advisers of Mercedes (Daimler group) on contractual, corporate, and dispute matters pertaining to the Belgian market.