Andrew Jackson facilitates multi-million pound shipping transactions

The shipping and transport team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors has recently advised on a range of transactions with an aggregate value in excess of £20 million, as UK maritime businesses invest in their existing fleet capacity despite the challenges arising from Brexit and the impact of the global pandemic.

Led by Dominic Ward and Rebecca Hardy, the Andrew Jackson team advised on numerous transactions, including the purchase of ‘Enterprise’ (pictured), a 37m fishing vessel that was stripped and rebuilt at a yard in the Netherlands for Ocean Fish Group (Vistgate), Cornwall’s oldest fishing and processing import-export business.

Other acquisitions included Windermere Lake Cruises’s deal for the 300-seat vessel, ‘MV Swift’, which becomes the largest new craft to sail on England’s longest lake for more than 80 years, and the purchase of a new build vessel, ‘Isabelle’, to strengthen a family fishing business’ offshore capabilities.

The team also assisted Plymouth-based fishing company Oceanic Drifter on its purchase of a fleet of three vessels—’Morning Star’, ‘Celtic Star’ and ‘Providing Star’—from one of the UK’s leading fish wholesale businesses. 

Ward, senior partner and head of shipping and transport at Andrew Jackson, said: “We are delighted to have assisted our clients on these recent transactions. It is encouraging that these clients—many of whom we have acted for over many years—continue to invest in their businesses despite the challenges of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.”

He added: “Andrew Jackson continues to focus on delivering exceptional legal services built around the specific needs of our clients. We are delighted to be able to help them realise their ambitions.”