Shipping & Ports sector
Members of our team have over 30 years of direct experience in the shipping, shipbuilding, and ports sectors. We have been involved in several landmark cases concerning the application of EU antitrust, merger control, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening, and State aid legal frameworks. Through this long-standing involvement, our team has gained invaluable operational insights into maritime commerce, port infrastructure, and defense-related maritime assets.
This deep industry expertise places our firm in a unique position to offer highly specialized, industry-relevant EU law advice. We assist international container shipping lines, port operators, financial institutions, state governments, and shippers' associations in navigating complex regulatory environments, ensuring compliance, resolving high-stakes disputes, and safeguarding strategic commercial objectives.
Indicative examples of our work
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Adriatic Sea Cartel Litigation Representing a major shipping line in the EU Adriatic Sea shipping cartel case before the European Commission’s DG Comp, the EU General Court and the European Court of Justice.
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Hellenic Shipyards State Aid Representing a major Financial Institution and the Greek Government in DG Comp’s investigation into alleged State aids granted to Hellenic Shipyards. As a result, the majority of the shipyards’ activities in the military sector were excluded from the enforcement of DG Comp’s State AIDS recovery order.
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Port Concession & Public Procurement Representing the Greek Government in State aids and public procurement proceedings conducted by DG Comp and DG Market with regard to the terms and conditions of a concession awarded to a major ports operator. DG Market ultimately terminated its investigation without measures, whereby DG Comp adopted a State aid recovery decision relating to a limited amount.
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Port Operator Merger Control & FDI Representing a major ports operator in merger control and FDI screening procedures worldwide.
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Container Shipping Signalling Commitments Advising a major international container shipping line regarding compliance with its commitments undertaken towards DG Comp in the “signalling case and conducting negotiations with DG Comp.
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Consortia Block Exemption Advisory Advising a major EU Shippers Association on the application of the EU Consortia Block Exemption Regulation and the consequences of its expiry.