Benjamin Owen Schupp

Benjamin "Ben" Schupp is a member in the firm's New Orleans office, where he focuses his practice on admiralty and maritime law. Ben has special experience in vessel financing, vessel charters, marine construction and maritime lien issues.

Business

Ben has represented numerous banks, vessels and rig owners worldwide in financing the purchase or construction of vessels and oil rigs. In connection with such representation, Ben has drafted numerous construction contracts, sale agreements, charters, ship mortgages as well as various loan and registration documentation. He has handled vessel registration in registries throughout the world. Ben has significant experience in MARAD Title XI financing and financing through the Export-Import Bank of the United States, as well as financing through banking and private equity channels.

Representative Transactions

• Represented Mexican drilling contractor in an EXIM financing transaction involving a $172 million credit facility for a jack-up drilling rig to be constructed at Keppel AmFELS’ yard in Brownsville, Texas. The deal was recognized in Marine Money magazine's 2014 annual "Noteworthy Deals of the Year" issue.
• Represented drilling contractor in the construction and financing of five jack up rigs ranging in value from $140 million to $200 million per rig.
• Represented investors in the purchase, financing and refurbishment of a $300 million drill ship.
• Represented investment group in connection with the acquisition of a fleet of accommodation vessels.
• Represented Nigerian oil and gas service company in connection with the acquisition of multiple supply boats and liftboats.
• Represented U.S. lenders in connection with the financing of floating casinos.
• Represented Mexican drilling contractor in EXIM financing transaction named “Deal of the Year” by Trade Finance Magazine.
• Represented U.S. lender in connection with the restructuring and payoff of debt secured by maritime assets.
• Represented U.S. lender as special maritime counsel in connection with the refinancing of a U.S. drilling contractor's credit facility secured by a fleet of jack-up rigs and other vessels. 
• Represented an investment group as special maritime counsel in connection with the acquisition of a major U.S. tug and barge company.
• Represented ship broker in the drafting of multiple brokerage and vessel sale agreements.

Litigation

Ben has represented U.S. and international underwriters, brokers and businesses in a wide variety of maritime, energy, casualty and commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. He has also represented vessel and rig owners in maritime and oil and gas disputes, including several cases leading to important decisions in these fields by the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ben has drafted countless insurance coverage opinions in both the maritime and non-maritime context.

Sample of Litigation Resulting In Published Opinions

• Lake Charles Stevedores v. M/V VLADIMIR POPOV, 199 F.3d 220 (5th Cir. 1999)
• Trico Marine v. Falcon Drilling Company, 116 F3d 159 (5th Cir. 1997)
• Submersible Systems v. Perforadora Central S.A. de C.V. 249 F.3d 413 (5th Cir. 2001)
• Terre Aux Boeufs v. J.R. Gray Barge Co. 803 So2d 86 (La App. 4th Cir. 2001)
• Janex Oil Co. Inc. v. Hanover Compressor Co., 694 So.2d 415 (La. App. 4th Cir. 1997)