Kurt B. Plankl
Partner
Overview
Kurt B. Plankl is an asset finance attorney in Holland & Knight's New York office. Mr. Plankl focuses on the representation of U.S. and international lenders and borrowers in connection with secured loans and other financing transactions.
Mr. Plankl also has experience with matters ranging from the formation of joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and asset finance transactions to the sale and purchase of vessels. A significant portion of his practice also involves offshore registries, including the Marshall Islands and Liberian registries and the interpretation of their maritime and corporate laws.
In addition, Mr. Plankl has represented numerous clients involved in the offshore sector, including offshore wind, advising clients on the application of U.S. coastwise laws and corporate structuring strategies to comply with the Jones Act.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Plankl was an attorney at a leading New York law firm. Previously, he worked in the maritime industry, where he held several leadership positions at a privately held maritime and corporate registry service provider that administers the maritime and corporate programs for the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Mr. Plankl also held a non-renewed Third Mate Unlimited Oceans License from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and sailed for a marine construction and dredging contractor.
Representative Experience
- Represented a private equity investment firm in connection with the acquisition of two highly sophisticated Norwegian-flagged multipurpose offshore support vessels; the private equity firm provided mezzanine financing, and the transaction was recognized as the 2024 Offshore Wild Card Deal of the Year by Marine Money magazine
- Represented a boutique commercial management company in connection with its acquisition by one of the largest operators of tanker fleets in the world
- Represented a maritime asset management firm in connection with a joint venture with a leading private markets asset management firm and a fund management firm to acquire three handysize refined product tankers
- Advised a containership lessor in a private placement by its subsidiary of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.69 percent senior secured notes due 2027; the notes are secured by, among other things, first priority mortgages on 20 identified vessels and certain other associated assets and contract rights
- Represented a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide in connection with its merger with an international shipping pool operator and commercial management company
- Represented a world leader in the sales, marketing, and transportation of asphalt and bitumen products in connection with the sale of a 50 percent stake in its global asphalt trading, storage and marine transportation business to an energy and commodities company, forming a new asphalt trading venture
- Represented an Athens, Greece-based global shipping company in connection with its $634.91 million acquisition of 34 operating dry bulk carriers from another dry bulk cargo shipping company
Credentials
- Fordham University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
- State University of New York Maritime College, M.S., with honors
- State University of New York Maritime College, B.S.
- New York
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- New York City Bar Association
- Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLAUS)
- Seafarers International House, Board of Directors, 2023-Present; Mission Support Committee, 2023-Present; Audit Committee, 2024-Present; Leadership Council Member, 2023-Present
- Marine Society of the City of New York, Officer, 2021-Present
- Offshore Wild Card Deal of the Year, Marine Money magazine, 2024
- The Legal 500 USA, Transport: Shipping – Finance, 2022-2024
- Jones Act Deal of the Year, Marine Money magazine, 2023
- Order of the Coif