HFW advises Stolt-Nielsen on formation of strategic joint venture with NYK Line in Avenir LNG

Global law firm HFW has advised Stolt-Nielsen on a share purchase agreement to sell 50% of Avenir LNG to global shipping and logistics firm Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) to form a strategic joint venture.

Stolt-Nielsen is a long-term investor and manager of businesses focused on opportunities in logistics, distribution and aquaculture.

Avenir LNG was founded in 2017 and has grown into a leading player in the LNG bunkering sector, operating a global fleet of LNG bunker vessels.

Through this joint venture Stolt-Nielsen and NYK Line will expand their future small-scale LNG and LNG bunkering opportunities, supporting the global transition to LNG and bio-LNG for marine fuel and other industrial applications. 

The HFW team was led by Partner Alex Kyriakoulis and included Legal Director Emma Thomas and Associate Sophie Dent.

Alex Kyriakoulis, Partner, HFW:

“We are pleased to have supported Stolt‑Nielsen on this strategically significant transaction. The partnership with NYK Line brings together two highly respected groups and positions Avenir LNG to play an even greater role in the global expansion of small‑scale LNG and LNG bunkering.

Our firm is seeing continued momentum behind LNG and bio‑LNG as practical, scalable fuels for decarbonising shipping, so we are proud to have advised Stolt‑Nielsen on a deal that will contribute effectively to the sector’s sustainability goals.”