Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW“) has advised Banco Popolare on its loan to Fratelli Neri S.p.A. to partially finance the acquisition of the “Toscana” towboat, which was built in the Damen Shipyards in Gorinchem (Netherlands) and registered in Genoa. WFW also advised on the towboat’s delivery phase.

Banco Popolare is an Italian bank, formed in 2007 from the merger of Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara (BPVN) and Banca Popolare Italiana (BPI). The bank is listed on the Borsa Italiana’s FTSE MIB index.

Fratelli Neri is an Italian company operating in the maritime sector since 1905, providing marine solutions in the field of harbour towage services and related maritime services.

The WFW Italy maritime team advising Banco Popolare was led by Partner Furio Samela, assisted by Senior Associate Michele Autuori and Associate Emanuele Caretti.