Reed Smith

Commentary on IMO’s Net-Zero Framework & LNG-fuelled vessels

Nick Austin, partner in Reed Smith’s Transportation Industry Group, said:

“As the IMO releases details of how its Net-Zero Framework will operate in its first monitoring year in 2028, it is clear that the devil will be in the detail. Whilst superficially resembling the EU’s focus on well-to-wake GHG intensity in its FuelEU Maritime regulation, the IMO’s approach will be more complicated. It would introduce two tiers of compliance and differential pricing of “remedial units” to ensure vessel...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/04/25/commentary-on-imos-net-zero-framework-lng-fuelled-vessels/

The Green Gamble: Navigating Risks and Opportunities in Sustainable Ship Financing

Reed Smith, in partnership with DNV Maritime Advisory, organized “The Green Gamble: Balancing Risks and Opportunities in Shipping Investments” seminar at their London office.

This half-day seminar, attended by over 70 specialists, including advisors, investors, representatives from shipping and energy sectors, and legal experts, focused on the current trends in sustainable ship financing.

The maritime sector is currently experiencing significant environmental, geopolitical, and technological...

https://container-news.com/the-green-gamble/

Reed Smith strengthens Transportation Industry Group with finance partner in Washington D.C.

Chris Buchanan

Global law firm Reed Smith today announced the appointment of partner Chris Buchanan in its Washington D.C. office. Buchanan joins the firm’s global Transportation Industry Group from King & Spalding where he was a partner in the finance practice.

Bringing a wealth of knowledge of the aviation industry, Buchanan’s experience includes advising clients on synthetic leases, aircraft finance, U.S. citizenship regulations for aircraft ownership, and export finance facilities. 

Buchanan...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/02/10/reed-smith-strengthens-transportation-industry-group-with-finance-partner-in-washington-d-c/

Op-Ed: Is the future autonomous shipping?

By Susan Riitala and Thor Maalouf

Autonomous ships hold immense potential to transform and enhance the efficiency of global supply chains by streamlining operations and reducing human error. Their ability to operate continuously and integrate with other automated systems offers a new level of precision and reliability in the movement of goods. Additionally, their ability to adjust routes dynamically based on real-time data, such as weather patterns or port congestion, can lead to smoother, more...

https://www.marinelog.com/views/op-ed-is-the-future-autonomous-shipping/

Survey: More Than 15 Years Needed for Transportation Sector to be Fully Powered by Sustainable Fuel Sources

Almost half the respondents who took part in a survey spearheaded by Reed Smith revealed that they expect it to take more than 15 years for the sector to be powered by 100% sustainable fuel sources.

These insights were gathered from nearly 50 of Reed Smith’s clients in the transportation sector, including global companies in aviation, shipping, logistics, manufacturing, utilities, and environmental services.

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) ambitious target of reaching net-zero...

https://container-news.com/survey-more-than-15-years-needed-for-transportation-sector-to-be-fully-powered-by-sustainable-fuel-sources/

Maritime Partners adds two to leadership team

Metairie, La., headquartered Maritime Partners LLC has recently added Stephen J. Bordes and Greg Chase to its executive leadership team.

Bordes, who joins Maritime Partners as its chief financial officer, has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of finance and fund management.

Prior to joining Maritime Partners, he served as the CFO for New York-based American Industrial Partners, a middle-market private equity firm that invests in industrial businesses.

“Stephen is an expert in...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/maritime-partners-adds-two-to-leadership-team/

Surge in shipbuilding raises potential oversupply concerns

While some shipyards struggled to stay afloat during the initial outbreak of Covid-19, the post-pandemic environment is predicted to usher in an encouraging era for shipyards’ orderbooks.

In 2020, orders for container ships fell to their lowest number in a decade and dry bulk and tanker orders experienced similar slumps. Both 2021 and 2022 saw an uptick in orders, and shipping analysts now predict that 2023 will again see high levels of orders across all sectors, raising concerns of a potential...

https://container-news.com/surge-in-shipbuilding-raises-potential-oversupply-concerns/

Press comment – sanctions on Russian ships

Press comment – sanctions on Russian ships

Nick Austin

Nick Austin, shipping partner at global law firm Reed Smith, said: “The Department for Transport’s guidance on the banning of ships with Russian connections from UK ports is still developing, given that accurately identifying whether a vessel is “Russian” is not as easy it sounds.  

“For example, under the current rules a ship is not Russian just because it has Russian crewmembers or a Russian captain. For the rules to bite, there has to be a...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/09/press-comment-sanctions-on-russian-ships/

Winds are blowing in sustainability-linked bond sails

Winds are blowing in sustainability-linked bond sails

By Robert E. Lustrin, Esq., shipping lawyer at global law firm Reed Smith

IMO targets for emissions reductions

All eyes in the shipping industry are fixed on de-carbonization and environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns. Mileposts have been set by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), requiring reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from shipping worldwide from 2008...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2021/11/15/winds-are-blowing-in-sustainability-linked-bond-sails/

EEXI and CII – A gathering storm?

EEXI and CII – A gathering storm?

Nick Austin

By Reed Smith Transportation Industry Group partner Nick Austin

Shipping lawyers like me often talk about “the next big thing”, but rarely do we pluralise it to suggest that not one, but maybe two or even three transformational changes are about to be keenly felt across the sector.

A case in point: much has been said (including by me) about the rapid pace of digitisation in shipping. And in particular the advent of electronic trade documents which have...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2021/11/08/eexi-and-cii-a-gathering-storm/

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