In June 2023, ADVANT Nctm merged with Genoan shipping law firm Studio Legale Berlingieri, the combination bringing in Giorgio Berlingieri, the president of the Italian Maritime Law Association since 2005. The practice covers the gamut of maritime law issues, from charter parties and bills of lading, to operating agreements, ship management, liability limitation, and marine insurance. The group also advises on salvage, towage, collision, pollution, shipbuilding, and shipping finance, sales and purchases. Alberto Rossi is shipping department head, Alberto Torrazza advises on port logistics, and Alfredo Lizio is a shipping finance expert.

Watson Farley & Williams‘ maritime industry practice covers ship finance, vessel arrests, disputes, and vessel sales and purchases. Other areas are Italian registry issues, shipbuilding contracts, corporate law, joint ventures, and tax and private equity arrangements. The team further advises on distressed situations, NPLs, restructuring agreements, and shipping insurance. The group’s principal figures are shipping specialist Furio Samela, who is particularly focused on financial transactions, loan agreements, security packages, and restructuring and insolvency; Michele Autuori, whose practice includes leasing deals involving yachts; and ‘skilled lawyer‘ Davide Canepa.

BonelliErede's shipping, transport and logistics team covers shipping and transport transactions, along with related infrastructure, labour, bankruptcy, antitrust, tax, and administrative law issues. The enviable client base ranges from shipowners, airways, port authorities, terminal operators, and logistics and railways operators, to shipyards, shipping agents, insurance companies, private equity funds, and banks. Mainly based in the firm's London office, team leader and maritime law expert Enrico Vergani is 'undeniably a legal champion'. Supporting Vergani in Genoa are experienced maritime and transport law practitioners Andrea La Mattina and Marco Mastropasqua.

With ‘deep knowledge of the shipping industry‘, LCA Studio Legale‘s team routinely acts for carriers, sub-carriers, insurance companies, freight forwarders, shipowners, shipyards, and port operators. A ‘great expert in international and national maritime laws and regulations‘, practice head Davide Magnolia has extensive experience in significant cargo claims, charter party disputes, arrests, collisions, and sales and purchase of ships, as well as yachting sector and port law expertise. Providing key support, recently promoted partner Giacomo Falsetta advises on maritime and intermodal transport law, along with port, insurance and international trade law.

Acting for both borrowers and lenders, CBA Studio Legale e Tributario maintains an active shipping finance practice. The team is also active in shipping and cruising-related M&A deals. The firm has additionally developed a niche in the ro-ro sector, where it acts for Caronte & Tourist and Grandi Navi Veloci. Enjoying strong relationships with shipping companies, cruise companies and major financial institutions, Milan-based Francesco Dialti heads the banking and finance team.

Part of Norton Rose Fulbright's renowned global shipping practice, the firm's Milan team advises on the entire spectrum of shipping finance work. Its expertise ranges from secured and unsecured loan financing, structured finance for shipping companies, and the purchase and registration of ships, to shipbuilding financing contracts, port financings, shipping restructuring, and NPL deals. Heading up the team, Gennaro Mazzuoccolo is 'one of the best shipping lawyers in Italy'.

Studio Legale Lauro's Naples-based practice is well-known for its advice to global maritime and logistics business sector clients on maritime, commercial and international law matters. Former president of the Port Authority of Naples, commercial, shipping and M&A specialist Francesco Lauro, is 'exceptionally knowledgeable in all matters relating to maritime and shipping law'; and fellow founding partner Ernesto Ardia routinely acts for shipowners in collisions, salvage, and marine pollution matters.