Gonzalo Alvar

Partner

Gonzalo Alvar

Partner

Email Gonzalo

+34 91 781 6670

Madrid

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Sectors

Gonzalo is a partner in the Madrid office. With a long and continued practice of working for shipyards, shipowners and banks, he is one of the most reputed lawyers in Spain in relation to the shipbuilding industry.

During his career, he has participated in the negotiation of a number of shipbuilding projects, ship conversions and ship repair contracts. His practice includes advising on shipbuilding contracts, ship repair contracts, security packages (including refund guarantees, insurances bonds and mortgages), financing agreements, the Spanish tax lease system, agency and brokerage contracts, subcontracts and supply contracts. Gonzalo is also frequently requested by clients to follow up shipbuilding contracts until the delivery and registration of vessels. He has broad experience in restructuring shipbuilding contracts and ancillary documentation when shipyards face economic distress.

My main attribute is my pragmatism. Reaching a deal is the main target of clients in this sector and that must be my objective as well. And, on top of anything, is my dedication to achieve the target, and my enthusiasm. I am passionate about my work and I always try to transmit such enthusiasm to clients and to my team.

Gonzalo Alvar, Partner

Due to his recognised knowledge of the Spanish shipbuilding/ship financing market, foreign shipowners, banks and law firms seek his advice on a regular basis. Gonzalo is member of the Spanish Maritime Law Association, and has been invited as a Spanish representative to the Forum of Dahkla (Blue Economy in Africa). He has also co-authored books on shipping law contracts, and published several articles related to shipbuilding and ship finance matters in specialised magazines. Gonzalo is a recommended lawyer in Chambers and Partners in the category ‘Spain: Shipping Finance’.

Recent work highlights

Ship mortgages for Spanish vessels

Advising an international syndicate of banks (Italian/Spanish) regarding the granting, registration and cancellation of several ship mortgages for six Spanish flagged vessels.

Construction of cutting-edge hybrid vessels

Providing legal assistance under Spanish law to an Italian shipowner for the construction, leasing (under a Spanish tax lease scheme) and syndicated financing of nine state-of-the-art hybrid vessels being built by a Spanish shipyard.

Foreign acquisition of stake in shipowner

Advising on the acquisition by a foreign shipowner (Italian) of an important stake in a Spanish shipowner, including the transfer of property of a high-speed vessel.

Acquisition of multi-purpose vessel

Acting for a major Spanish bank in the bilateral financing granted to a Spanish shipowner for the acquisition and conversion of a multi-purpose vessel.

Cross-border sale and purchase of offshore vessel

Providing legal assistance relating to the cross-border trilateral sale and purchase transaction of an offshore vessel, her acceptance and delivery from a Mexican shipowner, and final hand-over to a Dutch shipowner.

Construction of electric prototype

Assisting a shipyard with the legal agreements for the construction of a full electric prototype, partially financed under the Spanish ‘EU Next-Generation’ scheme (PERTE NAVAL).

Construction and financing of live-fish carrier vessel

Providing legal assistance under Spanish law to a Spanish shipyard for the construction, leasing (under a Spanish tax lease scheme) and syndicated financing of a live-fish carrier vessel for a Norwegian shipowner.

Construction and financing of live-fish carrier vessel

Providing legal assistance under Spanish law to a Spanish shipyard for the construction, leasing (under a Spanish tax lease scheme) and syndicated financing of a live-fish carrier vessel for a Norwegian shipowner.

What people are saying

Gonzalo Alvar is an expert maritime lawyer who knows his sector like few others. It is a pleasure to work with him.

Chambers Europe

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