Transport & Logistics

The growing consumer market, the arrival of large European distribution centres and rising demand in the construction sector are all contributing to a greater demand for physical goods flows, and with it a growing need for transport. This brings both opportunities and challenges for all kinds of businesses in the sector. The highly regarded Transport & Logistics Team at Houthoff knows all the ins and outs of the transport sector and fully understands the challenges that these businesses face. Challenges like foreign competition, an increasing complexity in the transport chain and more stringent environmental regulation. Our transport specialists represent national and international goods hauliers and passenger transport companies that use rail, road and water, as well as airlines, airports, vehicle suppliers and financiers.

Examples of our expertise within the transport sector

There is an ever-growing need within the goods transport sector for an increase in scale. One way for transport companies to achieve this is by entering into strategic cooperation agreements with one other, using our Transport & Logistics Team's M&A expertise to assist them. Good transport and insurance agreements are essential for facilitating transport effectively. Our transport specialists will draft these for you in clear and accessible language. In cases of damage or loss, either to or caused by transport, transport companies and insurers can rely on the far-reaching knowledge and experience of our lawyers. Our experts can advise and support clients in national and international legal disputes and arbitration. Tighter environmental regulations require more efficient and sustainable transport methods. Clients often use our firm as a sparring partner to develop ideas on innovative solutions, like moving conveyor systems in cities, electric transport, delivery services by drone and other smart mobility solutions. Our specialists are also frequently involved in the process of drafting and awarding transport concessions.

The specialists in our Transport & Logistics Team come from a variety of backgrounds, from transport law and M&A to procedural, environmental, liability and insurance law. Thanks to their integrated approach and detailed knowledge of the sector, they are able to offer well-thought-out and practical solutions.

Highlighted Matters
Represented Ola Cabs before the Amsterdam Court of Appeal in the case of three London app drivers invoking their data protection rights to get personal data and information from Ola Cabs regarding automated decision-making.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Lumileds, a global leader in innovative lighting solutions, in its comprehensive financial restructuring. Lumileds emerged from a Chapter 11, resulting in a leadership transition and a funded debt reduction of approximately USD 1.4 billion.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Siemens with its acquisition of Sqills, a leading provider in the provision of cloud-based inventory management, reservation, and ticketing software to public transport operators around the world. The agreed purchase price is EUR 550 million plus an earn out.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. II, a NYSE-listed special purpose acquisition company, on the merger agreement with Wallbox and Wallbox's listing as a Dutch N.V. on NYSE through the merger.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Castik Capital S.à r.l., a Luxembourg-based private equity firm, on its acquisition of a majority stake in Customs Support Group (CSG).
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff advised the shareholders of ControlPay on the sale of the shares in ControlPay to Transporeon.
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff – together with Sidley Austin LLP – represented Wex Inc., a leading financial technology service provider, in connection with its planned acquisition of EG Group Limited’s GO Fuel Card business. The Go Fuel Card business is headquartered in Breda, Netherlands with approximately 200,000 proprietary cards in circulation across the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Highlighted Matters

Advised Sandd in the sale and transfer of Sandd to PostNL for an amount of EUR 130 million. This transaction resulted in the acquisition of almost the entire postal market by PostNL.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Siemens to found a joint venture with Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE) for the servicing and maintenance of locomotives. The company will be headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and be named Locomotive Workshop Rotterdam (LWR). The location of the new workshop in the port of Rotterdam will enable rail operators to optimize their long-term planning of necessary service stops for locomotives on their routes.
Highlighted Matters
Represented Sandd in the acquisition of Van Straaten Post from its previous owners. The combined group is able to service the 24-, 48- and 72- hours postal market throughout the work week with national coverage. The acquisition is part of Sandd’s strategy to become a real alternative on the Dutch postal market.
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff, jointly with Kirkland Ellis LLP, assisted Global Logistic Properties in the acquisition of the European logistics business IDI Gazeley. Global Logistic Properties, a Singapore-listed investor, acquired IDI Gazeley from Brookfield Asset Management, the world's second-largest real estate fund manager. The transaction value amounts to approx USD 2,8 billion.