TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

Aviation

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is the regulatory, legislative and governing entity of the aviation industry in the KSA. Until the date, the GACA operates 4 international and 23 domestic airports in KSA, and its legal frame is governed by the Royal Decree Number M/44(18/07/1426 H). These provisions apply to Civil Aviation activities and operations in KSA, civil aerodromes, civil aircraft registered in KSA, state aircraft and all other aircraft registered in a foreign country and operated by a Saudi national through a lease or exchange.

Expertise

  • Advice on aviation industry contracts such as with MROs, ground handlers, airport and air navigation services providers
  • Advise and assist on setting up of operations bases, AOCs, and the setting up of local entities
  • Register airlines in the relevant country or under international or joint registration rules
  • Obtain valid airworthiness certificates issued or validated by the registration country or the common mark registering authority
  • Registration of markings pursuant to rules established by the GACA
  • Compliance with set devices and equipment
  • Drafting of aircraft leasing agreements
  • Obtaining of licences for operation of airlines from GACA
  • Providing advice on regulatory, operational and commercial issues from a legal point of view
  • Advice on employment issues both for flight and crew
  • Provide legal advice and support in accidents, incidents and other types of distress
  • Give advice and represent owners and lessees on aircraft financing and leasing transactions
  • Assist and advise on registrations, de-registrations, mortgages, leases and similar matters in the aircraft registry
  • Advise and assist in preparation and execution of charters, wet and dry leasing agreements

Shipping

On the dispute front, we tailor our advice to achieve efficient resolution and avoid future conflicts. However, we will adopt a resolute posture when circumstances call for it. In the transactional space, we constantly seek collaboration with all parties to enable clients to reach their end goals. Our Shipping Law practice encompasses both domestic and international law governing maritime activities. TLF’s legal consultants and attorneys deal with all problems such as marine commerce, shipping, and general maritime law, the movement of livestock and goods by water, Customs permits and tariff laws and associated matters. Our instructions frequently involve the subjects of international trade, bills of lading, charter parties and contracts of affreightment, marine insurance, ship building, ship and trade finance, mortgages, ship sale and purchase, corporate structuring of maritime entities and vessel registrations, ship repair, agency, collisions, salvage, casualty, pollution and logistics.

Expertise

  • Acquisitions of major shipping companies
  • Maritime asset financing, loans, deeds of covenants, mortgages, assignments of earnings, insurances, guarantees, re-flagging and insurance coverage for lenders
  • Ship and fleet mortgage enforcements (including arrests), walkouts, restructurings and insolvencies, judicial sales through private treaty or public auction, and distribution of proceeds
  • Vessel construction contracts, repair, conversion and construction contract matters, including issues arising under standard forms, specifications and description design delays, variations, liquidated damages and class and delivery warranties.
  • Ship sale and purchase, including new buildings, scrap sales, on-sales, second-hand tonnage, and fleets.
  • Ship management and crewing issues, technical managers, commercial managers, brokers, agents, crew claims and employment contracts