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Articles by Sophia Agathis
Ship Finance – Introduction
Maritime Finance attorneys Sophia Agathis and Nicholas Kaasik co-authored the introduction for the Lexology Panoramic: Ship Finance 2026 guide. The publication offers a comprehensive exploration of the global ship finance market, offering jurisdictional overviews that allow practitioners, owners and investors to compare local trends while tracking cross-border issues.
Holland & Knight Ranks Among Nation's Leading Law Firms in Chambers USA 2026
MIAMI (June 4, 2026) – Holland & Knight has 297 attorneys recognized as preeminent practitioners in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business. In addition, the respected legal guide named Holland & Knight a leading law firm in 133 practice categories across the nation and regionally. Chambers and Partners has published directories ranking the best law firms and lawyers since 1990.
DHS Approves Extension of Jones Act Waiver Period, Adds New Documentation Item for Initial Requests
As discussed in a previous Holland & Knight alert, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued guidance on the March 17, 2026, Jones Act waiver requested by the U.S. Department of War (DOW).
Jones Act Waiver Issued in Response to Iran Conflict: Legal Analysis and Implications
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security granted a limited waiver of the Jones Act following a request from the U.S. Department of War to allow foreign-flagged vessels to transport certain commodities between U.S. ports. The waiver was issued in response to supply chain disruptions arising from the ongoing conflict with Iran and is intended to address short-term supply chain disruptions in while the U.S. military continues to pursue the objectives of Operation Epic Fury.
5 Key Issues Affecting Deal Structurings In Ship Finance
By Sophia Agathis and Nicholas Kaasik ( March 9, 2026, 3:44 PM EDT) -- Regulatory and legislative developments will continue to shape the ship finance landscape. While a headline trend in 2025 was the introduction and rapid suspension of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative port fees targeting Chinese maritime interests, 2026 has already brought further regulatory developments.... Law360 is on it, so you are, too.
5 Key Issues Affecting Deal Structurings in Ship Finance
Asset Finance attorneys Sophia Agathis and Nicholas Kaasik authored a Law360 article on the trends shaping ship finance in 2026. They explain how America's Maritime Action Plan, the suspended USTR port fees targeting Chinese maritime interests and Basel IV in Europe are affecting financing strategies and compliance considerations. They examine the approach of traditional European bank lenders and use of revolving credit facilities by stronger shipowners.
Maritime Finance: A Look Back at 2025 and Trends to Watch in 2026 | JD Supra
The maritime finance industry saw significant change in 2025, including the shipping sector becoming a key target of sanctions policymakers, evolving regulatory action and lending trends, and the increased role of private equity funds in the U.S. maritime industry. Please see full publication below for more information.
Increasing Private Equity Interest In U.S. Shipbuilding And The Jones Act Market
Holland & Knight are most popular: within Strategy topic(s) Private equity has over the past 15 years played a key role in the U.S. maritime industry, and today's regulatory landscape in the U.S. makes the U.S. maritime industry ripe with further opportunity for private equity funds.
Trends In Ship Finance
Holland & Knight are most popular: within Strategy topic(s) The ship finance industry continues to evolve in a manner previewed in years past by regulatory action and evolving lender profiles. This Holland & Knight article explores recent trends in traditional bank lending and the rise of direct and private credit lenders.
Maritime Finance: A Look Back At 2025 And Trends To Watch In 2026
HK Holland & Knight More Holland & Knight is a global law firm with nearly 2,000 lawyers in offices throughout the world. Our attorneys provide representation in litigation, business, real estate, healthcare and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location.
Trends in Ship Finance
The ship finance industry continues to evolve in a manner previewed in years past by regulatory action and evolving lender profiles. This Holland & Knight article explores recent trends in traditional bank lending and the rise of direct and private credit lenders.
Maritime Finance: A Look Back at 2025 and Trends to Watch in 2026
The maritime finance industry saw significant change in 2025, including the shipping sector becoming a key target of sanctions policymakers, evolving regulatory action and lending trends, and the increased role of private equity funds in the U.S. maritime industry.
USTR Port Fee Suspension: What You Need To Know
Mike Timpone’s articles from Holland & Knight are most popular: within Transport topic(s) in United States with readers working within the Retail & Leisure and Transport industries The United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that effective Nov. 10, 2025, the U.S. will suspend for one year the implementation of actions taken against China pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
USTR Port Fee Suspension: What You Need to Know | JD Supra
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that effective Nov. 10, 2025, the U.S. will suspend for one year the implementation of actions taken against China pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The Transport Ministry of China has likewise declared that China will suspend its retaliatory port fee measures against the U.S. for one year.
USTR Port Fee Implementation: What You Need To Know
Mike Timpone’s articles from Holland & Knight are most popular: within Transport topic(s) in United States Holland & Knight are most popular: within Criminal Law topic(s) New United States Trade Representative (USTR) port fees now apply to certain Chinese-built vessels, vessels with Chinese owners or operators and foreign-built vehicle carriers calling at U.S. ports. The new fees took effect on Oct. 14, 2025.
The Impact Of The Hong Kong Convention On Ship Recycling 3 Months In
Three months after implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention), its effects are becoming increasingly evident across the maritime industry. The Hong Kong Convention imposes new requirements on ship recycling facilities and shipowners as part of overall efforts to improve worker conditions and reduce the impact of ship recycling on the environment.
The Impact of the Hong Kong Convention on Ship Recycling 3 Months In | JD Supra
Three months after implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention), its effects are becoming increasingly evident across the maritime industry. The Hong Kong Convention imposes new requirements on ship recycling facilities and shipowners as part of overall efforts to improve worker conditions and reduce the impact of ship recycling on the environment.
BIMCO's New USTR Clause for Time Charter Parties 2025: Key Takeaways for Owners and Charterers | JD Supra
The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) on July 22, 2025, published a standard clause for time charter parties to address contractual uncertainties arising from the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) recent actions to impose significant fees on Chinese-related vessels calling in the United States. The clause requires owners to declare relevant ownership and vessel information to charterers and allocates financial responsibility for payment of relevant USTR fees.
BIMCO's New USTR Clause for Time Charter Parties 2025: Key Takeaways for Owners and Charterers
• The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) on July 22, 2025, published a standard clause for time charter parties to address contractual uncertainties arising from the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) recent actions to impose significant fees on Chinese-related vessels calling in the United States. • The clause requires owners to declare relevant ownership and vessel information to charterers and allocates financial responsibility for payment of relevant USTR fees.
BIMCO's New USTR Clause For Time Charter Parties 2025: Key Takeaways For Owners And Charterers
HK Holland & Knight More Holland & Knight is a global law firm with nearly 2,000 lawyers in offices throughout the world. Our attorneys provide representation in litigation, business, real estate, healthcare and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location.
Increasing Private Equity Interest in U.S. Shipbuilding and the Jones Act Market
Private equity has over the past 15 years played a key role in the U.S. maritime industry, and today's regulatory landscape in the U.S. makes the U.S. maritime industry ripe with further opportunity for private equity funds. With new legislative efforts and a government focus on supporting U.S. shipbuilding and the U.S. flag fleet, private equity funds – both U.S. and foreign – are looking for ways to capitalize on the resulting opportunities.
Update: U.S. Companies and U.S. Persons No Longer Required to Provide Beneficial Ownership Information under the Corporate Transparency Act. | JD Supra
Following the Treasury Department’s announcement regarding the removal of fines and penalties under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) has now advised that U.S. companies and U.S. persons will no longer be required to provide their Beneficial Ownership Information (“BOI”) under the CTA.
Treasury Department Confirms: No Fines or Penalties in Connection with BOI Reporting Deadlines | JD Supra
While the March 21, 2025 filing deadline under the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) remains in place, the Treasury Department announced on March 2nd that it will not enforce any penalties or fines associated with beneficial ownership reporting under the CTA. Further, any enforcement, penalties, or fines in respect of any domestic companies, U.S. citizens, or their beneficial owners have been suspended.
The BOI Reporting Rule under the Corporate Transparency Act is Reinstated | JD Supra
Once again, entities are required to file beneficial ownership information reports (each, a “BOI report”) with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. On February 18, 2025, the Eastern District of Texas, in Smith, et al. v.
Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement Remains On Hold | JD Supra
Enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) remains on hold, despite the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 23, 2025 to stay a nationwide injunction against the CTA (McHenry v. Texas Top Cop Shop Inc., U.S., No. 24A653), as a separate nationwide injunction issued by Judge Jeremy Kernoodle of the of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on January 3, 2025, in a separate case challenging the validity of the CTA (Smith v.
Fifth Circuit Reverses Bankruptcy Court’s Ruling on Lenders’ Sacred Right of Pro Rata Repayment in Uptiering Transaction | JD Supra
On December 31, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas’ (the “Bankruptcy Court”) decision that the exchange by certain lenders of Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (“Serta”) holding $1.2 billion of first lien term loans for super priority term loans constituted an open-market purchase exempt from the pro rata payment provisions of the credit agreement.
Corporate Transparency Act Blocked by Recent Injunction | JD Supra
On December 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the federal government from enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) nationwide (Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., et al. v. Garland, et al., Case No. 4:24-cv-478 (E.D. Tex.)).
Updated Alert: FinCEN Imposes New Reporting Requirements on LLCs and other Entities | JD Supra
**Important Reminder** As a reminder to our clients and friends of the firm, the beneficial ownership reporting deadline is soon approaching. Applicable entities that were formed or registered to do business in the U.S. prior to this year, have until January 1, 2025, within which to submit a report, under the requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act.
"So Long Synthetic LIBOR" | JD Supra
Earlier this year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) exercised its powers pursuant to Article 21(3) of the Benchmarks Regulation to compel ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) to continue publishing 1-month, 3-month and 6-month synthetic LIBOR settings for a period of 3 months after the US dollar LIBOR bank panel ended on June 28, 2024.
ISDA Releases Marshall Islands Netting Opinion
On December 15, 2023, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
ISDA Releases Marshall Islands Netting Opinion | JD Supra
On December 15, 2023, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
FinCEN Imposes New Reporting Requirements on LLCs and Other Entities | JD Supra
The Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”), a set of new regulations being implemented by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), requires entities newly formed or registered to do business in the United States on or after January 1, 2024 (subject to certain exemptions) to submit a report declaring beneficial ownership information within 90 days of such formation or registration.
U.S. Private Placements: Secured Notes for Vessel Owners | JD Supra
Background In recent years, one of the emerging financing methods for public and private vessel owners has been private placements of debt securities, wherein a company usually owning multiple vessels will sell securities to a select group of qualified investors.
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