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A portait picture of Sam Harding

Sam Harding

Partner

Sam joined Hannaford Turner in 2018, having previously worked at White & Case LLP (2013-2018), and was made Partner in 2023.

Sam’s practice covers a wide range of transactional shipping with a particular focus on complex ship financing arrangements, including ECA-supported and US capital market financings, mezzanine lending and sale and leaseback arrangements.

He works extensively for cruise lines in relation to the construction, financing and operation of their fleets, assisting them with negotiating the shipbuilding and facility documents for the construction and financing of these assets.

In commercial shipping, Sam represents owners and operators on vessel sale and purchases and their financing and operational arrangements, including the financing of portfolio acquisitions and join ventures.

  • Advising a major cruise line in relation to $5bn of ECA-supported newbuild delivery and pre-delivery financings for cruise ships constructed in Italy.
  • Advising a major cruise line as issuer in connection with vessel security and intercreditor arrangements under an approximately $1.4bn US term and revolving credit facility and $1.6bn of senior secured promissory notes (one awarded a 2024 Deal Maker of the Year Award by Finance Monthly).
  • Advising an energy trader as borrower and joint venture partner in relation to term facilities of approximately $110 which refinanced oans secured by chemical and product tankers operated under a joint venture, and subsequently advising the client on the unwinding of the joint venture and vessel management arrangements and sales of the vessels.
  • Advising a car carrier in relation to the sale of second hand vessels, including seller’s credit arrangements.
  • Acting for a shipowner as lender on pre-delivery loan facilities and mezzanine financing in the aggregate of €7.8m for five cargo ships operated by a cargo carrier, including share security, construction and delivery mortgages and intercreditor arrangements.
  • Advising a freight company as borrower in relation to a $50m term loan facility with Macquarie Bank secured by two vessels.