Nicholas Kaasik
Senior Counsel
Overview
Nicholas Kaasik is an asset finance attorney in Holland & Knight's New York office. Mr. Kaasik represents banks and other financial institutions as lenders and agents, as well as ship owners and aircraft leasing companies as borrowers, in secured financings and other complex transactions in the shipping, aviation and international trade industries. He also advises on a broad range of maritime transactional and regulatory matters, including shipbuilding contracts, vessel sale and purchase transactions, vessel registration and documentation, shipping joint ventures, Jones Act compliance and sanctions compliance.
Mr. Kaasik has particular experience in export credit financings involving European, Chinese and Korean export credit agencies in the shipping and cruise industries. He also advises on leasing and structured finance transactions, including sale and leaseback facilities involving Chinese and Japanese leasing companies.
In the aviation sector, Mr. Kaasik regularly advises on aircraft leasing, financing and sale and purchase transactions for leading aircraft leasing platforms, banks and other industry participants.
Additionally, Mr. Kaasik has in-depth knowledge of Marshall Islands, Liberian and Vanuatu law, and he regularly advises clients on corporate and maritime matters in these jurisdictions.
Representative Experience
- Represented an ultra-premium cruise line in connection with a three-ship secured financing involving major European banks and European export credit agencies
- Represented a leading financial institution in connection with the secured financing of a newly formed joint venture involving a fleet of U.S. flag vessels
- Represented a major ship owner in connection with multiple sale and leaseback facilities with Chinese leasing companies
- Represented an asset manager in connection with a joint venture with a NASDAQ-listed global provider of comprehensive maritime solutions to acquire, own and operate four newbuilding bulk carriers
- Represented a major ship owner in connection with a $30 million senior secured reducing revolving credit facility with a leading European shipping bank
- Represented a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products in connection with a $90 million secured loan facility with a Germany-based international transportation financial institution acting as agent
- Represented a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products in connection with its merger with an international shipping pool operator and commercial management company
- Represented a major ship owner in connection with the sale of five medium range product tankers
- Represented a New York-based private equity fund manager as agent in connection with a $70 million loan facility to finance the acquisition of a U.S. domestic air chartering company secured in part by 68 United States registered aircraft
- Represented a workforce nonprofit in connection with its strategic partnership with an organization providing training, jobs and career advancement to New York City residents
- Represented fund of hedge funds investment manager in connection with its sale to a global alternatives investments firm
Credentials
- Cornell Law School, J.D.
- State University of New York at Geneseo, B.A., magna cum laude
- New York
- New York City Bar, Admiralty Committee Member, 2019-2020
- Young Shipping Professionals New York, Board Member, 2019-2023
- The Legal 500 USA, Transport: Shipping – Finance, 2022