Ehlermann Rindfleisch Gadow (ERG) has advised the Spanish shipyard GONDAN Shipbuilders on German law aspects of the shipbuilding contract for the construction of two new hydrographic research vessels, the new "Wega" and "Deneb". The vessels were commissioned by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie – BSH).

GONDAN Shipbuilders are a family-owned company with almost 100 years of experience. Based in Asturias, northern Spain, GONDAN Shipbuilders have become a leading shipyard for technologically advanced service vessels, particularly for offshore energy projects.

After an international tender process, the BSH awarded GONDAN Shipbuilders the contracts to build the new multi-purpose vessels. The vessels will conduct seabed surveys for nautical charting, identify underwater obstacles, and provide precise hydrographic data in support of security and defence authorities. The newbuilds will primarily be powered by methanol, with total project costs amounting to approximately EUR 270 million.

The ERG team advised GONDAN Shipbuilders on the German law aspects of the building contract and the tender process. The ERG team was led by partner Dr. Stefan Rindfleisch and Dr. Carolin Schmeding, supported by senior associates Dr. Julia Killinger and Nils Klages Gaudry and associate Marta Ron Fernández.