Transportation

Morais Leitão has a consolidated practice in the shipping, aviation and aerospace sectors, providing highly specialised legal advice in complex and regulated contexts. With a multidisciplinary team and an international presence, we assist operators, financiers and public entities in multiple jurisdictions, providing comprehensive and strategic support throughout the life cycle of an operation.

Our work is characterised by a combination of technical rigour, in-depth knowledge of the industries in which we operate and a strong ability to adapt to local specificities and global challenges. From maritime to aerospace, we help clients navigate the critical issues of financing, regulation, litigation, sustainability and technological innovation.

Shipping

Morais Leitão has a leading team in maritime law and international shipping with a strong presence in Portugal, Lusophone Africa and Asia through its network of offices in Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Singapore and East Timor.

With a transversal approach and extensive international experience, we provide comprehensive legal advice in the maritime sector, advising on complex maritime finance transactions, leasing, sale and purchase of vessels, chartering and structuring of guarantees. We act for banks, lessors, shipowners, operators and intermediaries in the shipping sector in multiple jurisdictions.

Our areas of expertise include:

1. Ship arrest and maritime foreclosure;
2. Asset finance, including ship leasing and structured finance;
3. Drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts, such as charterparties;
4. Dispute resolution and maritime arbitration;
5. Maritime insurance and civil liability litigation;
6. Advice on maritime incidents and accidents;
7. Port regulation and legal advice to concessionaires and port operators;
8. Secured and unsecured shipping finance; and Regulatory advice, including environmental and regulatory offences.

The International Shipping Register in Madeira (MAR)

The International Shipping Register in Madeira (MAR), recognised as a white flag register, has established itself as a competitive alternative to traditional registers. It has attracted international shipowners and financial institutions interested in efficient registration and corporate structuring solutions.

Morais Leitão is one of the few law firms with its own presence in Madeira able to provide specialised legal services in the following areas:

• Temporary and permanent registration of ships;
• registration of maritime mortgages;
• formation of commercial companies for shipowners and ship managers;
• and legal support in the Madeira Free Trade Zone.

"The team has significant (...) experience and offers a streamlined service in all of the jurisdictions."

Legal 500

Aerospace and aviation

Morais Leitão has a consolidated practice in the aviation and aerospace sector, with more than 20 years of experience in advising manufacturers, airlines, leasing companies, financiers, and insurers. We combine legal rigour with a strategic approach, supporting our clients to evaluate and execute their investments and mitigate regulatory and commercial risks, providing specialised legal advice at all stages of the operational lifecycle, covering regulation, financing, supply chain management, intellectual property protection, dispute resolution and international transactions.

Key areas of expertise

The aerospace industry faces increasingly complex cross-border challenges, including investments in industrial expansion, international partnerships, regulatory and competition issues, as well as commercial disputes, financial restructurings, and state aid. Regulatory requirements, technological advancements, and issues related to sustainability and ESG principles require specialized legal advice and a proactive, multi-disciplinary approach.

In particular, the advancement of space exploration, the evolution of sustainable propulsion systems, and the impact of technological development call for specialized legal advice and a proactive and multidisciplinary approach.

The challenges and opportunities in the aerospace sector include:

• Regulation of space activities, including licensing for orbital launches, satellite operations, and orbital rights.
• Exploration and commercialization of space, including new business models.
• Development of sustainable propulsion technologies.
• Impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on aerospace operations, with a particular focus on security and operational efficiency.
• Cybersecurity issues in space and satellite operations.
• Development of new regulatory frameworks for drones and unmanned aircrafts (UAS).

Our team advises clients on all aspects of aviation and aerospace law, including:

• Investments in industrial production infrastructures.
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and joint ventures in the aerospace sector. egulation and compliance with EASA, ICAO, and ANAC standards.
• Financing and leasing models for aircraft, (re)structuring of operations, and contract negotiations.
• Competition law, including state aid, strategic cooperation models, and business combinations.
• Commercial contracts within the aerospace supply chain.
• Public-private partnerships for the development of airport infrastructure.
• Intellectual property and protection of technologies used in the aerospace sector.
• Insurance related to aerospace activities.
• Litigation and dispute resolution, including contractual disputes and passenger claims.
• Sustainability and ESG, including emissions compensation and environmental compliance.
• Data protection and cybersecurity, ensuring compliance with sector requirements.
• Tax advisory services in the aerospace field.

Support for Different Industry Operators

We provide legal advisory services to various stakeholders in the aviation and aerospace sector, including:

• Airlines, aircraft operators, and leasing companies.
• Airports and ground handling service providers.
• Aircraft manufacturers and component suppliers.
• Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies.
• Space and satellite sector entities.
• Developers of aerospace technology and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Multidisciplinary and Strategic Approach

Our structure enables the swift formation of multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a holistic and client-oriented approach, in strict compliance with legal and ethical obligations. This approach ensures that all legal needs are addressed with precision and expertise in regulatory matters, public and private procurement, mergers and acquisitions, PPPs, infrastructure financing, and taxation.

Our team comprises highly experienced lawyers across various areas of law, providing a comprehensive response based on expertise in:

• Investments in industrial production infrastructure.
• Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint ventures in the aerospace sector.
• Space, airport, and other infrastructures, with advisory services on expansion projects, orbital control, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
• Energy, focusing on new propulsion systems and sustainable fuels.
• Technology, particularly in cybersecurity and data protection, ensuring compliance with international standards and the protection of critical infrastructure.
• Financing, including advisory services on structuring private and public investments, fundraising for aviation and aerospace projects, and tax incentives.
• Public procurement, including tender processes and contract negotiations.
• Space sector regulation, including licensing and orbital rights.
• Intellectual property, trade secrets, licensing and technology transfers, as well as the protection and commercialization of aerospace technologies.
• Labor law, with support on employment issues and hiring in the aviation sector.
• Taxation, ensuring the efficient structuring of aerospace operations and investments.

International Presence and Local Expertise

With offices in Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Singapore and East Timor, Morais Leitão provides specialised legal advice in highly regulated markets, ensuring a tailored approach to the specifics of each jurisdiction and the global challenges of the aerospace sector.