Brad Berman Joins Holland & Knight

Brad Berman , one of the team most responsible for solidifying the Liberian Ship Registry back in 1999 when the registry successfully transitioned from its original management at a time of civil strife in Liberia, has made the move back to private law practice, where he started his estimable admiralty career.  The move, which is completely amicable, brings back to the practice of maritime law one of its most enthusiastic and well networked practitioners. Brad leaves a Liberian organization that has grown in numbers of vessels, staff and services provided the international community in great shape.  At Holland & Knight, Brad joins the structured finance and maritime practice team with such notable attorneys as Nancy Hengen, Jovi Tenev, Len Rambusch, John Pritchard and Jim Hohenstein.

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DnB NOR Markets Hires New Analyst

Kelvin Li has just joined the Corporate Finance team at DnB NOR markets as an analyst. He had a year’s working experience at UBS Investment Bank in New York as an analyst with the investment banking team. Kelvin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Higher Distinction) from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

New Project & Structured Finance Partner for Watson, Farley & Williams Singapore

The Singapore office of Watson, Farley & Williams LLP (“WFW”) is pleased to announce that Mehraab Nazir, a structured asset and project finance specialist, has moved from the London office of WFW to join the Singapore office as a partner in its International Project & Structured Finance Group.

Mehraab advises on all aspects of structured asset and project finance related matters particularly with regards to aviation and in the renewables, power and energy space. His recent asset experience includes: advising banks and large corporates on acquisitions and disposals of a number of “big ticket” aircraft and other leasing companies and advising lessors, lessees and manufacturers in relation to cross-border operating lease transactions, as well as advising on debt financing, joint ventures, insolvencies and restructurings. Mehraab’s recent renewable energy experience includes:  acting for a lender on the refinancing of a UK onshore wind farm, advising the lenders on the financing of a European offshore wind farm, advising the prospective purchaser of a UK offshore wind farm and acting for the developer of a portfolio of solar thermal power and photovoltaic plants.

New Finance Associate for Watson, Farley & Williams

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP (“WFW”), a leading international law firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Kwara to the Singapore office as an associate in its International Finance Group.  Prior to joining WFW, Stephanie was with Shook Lin & Bok LLP’s banking team.

Brian Chang Takes Over as CEO

Yantai Raffles Shipyard Limited (“YRSL”), the largest builder of semi-submersible drilling rigs in the PRC, has announced the successful completion of its CEO Mr Cho Yong Jin’s three-year contract with the company. Mr Brian Chang will take over as CEO, in addition to his current role as Deputy Chairman of YRSL. Continue Reading

New Appointment for Watson, Farley & Williams

Watson, Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has appointed Angel Chiang to the Singapore office as a consultant to support its increased activity in the oil and gas sector and in particular in its market leading position in upstream work. 

Angel was previously in-house legal counsel with Single Buoy Moorings (“SBM”) for seven years. Her scope of work with SBM included advising internally and co-ordinating with external counsel on financing, joint ventures, services agreements and corporate work. She is experienced with oil and gas industry operations throughout Southeast Asia and other major oil producing countries such as Angola, Nigeria and Brazil. Continue Reading

DnB NOR Opens a Representative Office in Mumbai

DnB NOR officially opened a representative office in Mumbai this week, the first such office for the bank on the Indian sub-continent. The office was formally opened by Mr Rune Bjerke, group chief executive of DnB NOR ASA, at a ceremony attended by the Norwegian Ambassador to India, Her Excellency Ms Ann Ollestad. Continue Reading

Chris Weyers & Scott Burk – Bankers Move On

We also note the following friends who have found new positions:

Chris Weyers has left Fortis to join FBR Capital Markets as a Managing Director. He can be reached at (212) 457-3314 or cweyers@fbr.com.

Finding life after Bear Stearns, Scott Burk has accepted a position as Lead Ocean Shipping Analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. Scott can be reached at (212) 667-7402 or scott.burk@opco.com.

We wish them all good luck in their new positions.

Career Path

What do Morten Arntzen, Peter Evensen, Jeff Pribor and John Wobensmith have in common?  They all began their careers as bankers and have moved over to the ownership side.  Clearly, the owners are recognizing the value of banking experience or, perhaps, they are less expensive once brought in house?

Add to that list, Peter Knudsen, formerly head of Project Finance and Asset Lending and now the General Manager of Nordea’s Singapore Branch, who has accepted the position of CEO of Camillo Eitzen & Co. ASA.

Umm! Peder’s been there two weeks already, is this an opportunity for him?

Marine Money Asia Enters a New Chapter

In line with the robust Asian ship finance market, Marine Money Asia has expanded its team and moved into new offices at the Winsland House located at 3 Killiney Road in Singapore. Stepping in as Director will be Marine Money International’s Managing Editor Nora Huvane. Nora will be working with Financial Analyst Rodricks Wong and Sales Manager Teck Wee to coordinate Marine Money Asia’s global activities. Nora brings years of editorial and financial analysis experience with Marine Money to ensure that the Marine Money Asia publication continues to grow and evolve and that Asian ship finance is well-represented in Marine Money’s global publications.

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