Anna-Sofia Alahuita

Associate, Master of Laws

I advise our international and domestic clients in various financing transactions.

I started my career at Castrén & Snellman as a trainee. Before that, I had also gained experience in another business law firm and a Big Four accounting firm.

In addition to my Master of Laws degree from the University of Turku, I have studied law and finance at Tilburg University in the Netherlands.

Latest references

We were the legal adviser in three arrangements for the financing of the acquisition of three new ultra-green hybrid ro-ro vessels in the Eco class (Finneco I, II and III) by Finnish shipping company Finnlines Plc. The Chinese shipyard China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) delivered Finneco I to Finnlines on 28 April 2022, Finneco II on 30 May 2022 and the third and last of three hybrid ro-ro vessels, Finneco III on 6 June 2022. The ships are 238 metres long, each with a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane metres. Consequently, the vessels can carry 400 trailers per voyage. The hybrid ro-ro vessels provide an increase of cargo intake up to 38%, but they reduce CO2 emissions by almost 43%. The three vessels represent another move towards sustainable shipping as they are energy-efficient. Energy saving is the best way to reduce the emissions. The vessels have the highest Finnish/Swedish ice class. “Part of Finnlines’ EUR 500-million Green Newbuilding Programme, Finnlines introduced three new Eco-class hybrid ro-ro vessels in 2022. The three giant vessels operate in the Baltic–North Sea–Bay of Biscay service. With state-of-the-art technology they do not only offer economies of scale to our customers, but the environmental footprint will also be reduced. Finneco vessels provide added value to Finnlines and its customers”, says Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO, Finnlines.
Case published 28.7.2023
We were the legal adviser in two arrangements for the financing of the acquisition of two new Superstar ro-pax vessels (Finncanopus and Finnsirius) by Finnish shipping company Finnlines Plc. Finncanopus and Finnsirius are a part of Finnlines’ EUR 500 million Green Newbuilding Programme which includes two eco-sustainable ro-pax vessels as well as three hybrid ro-ro vessels. The first hybrid ro-ro vessel, Finneco I, was delivered to Finnlines at the Chinese shipyard China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) on 28 April 2022, Finneco II on 30 May 2022 and Finneco III on 6 June 2022. The first hybrid Superstar ro-pax vessel, Finnsirius, was delivered to Finnlines at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, on 18 July 2023. The second vessel, Finncanopus, is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. Finnsirius will enter Finnlines’ Finland–Sweden line and the traffic is scheduled to start in September 2023. Finncanopus will join Finnsirius by the end of 2023. The two ships are the largest ro-pax vessels in the Finnlines fleet. With a length of about 235 metres, their loading capacity will be 5,200 lane metres for rolling freight and 1,100 for passengers. In other words, the vessels have the capacity to carry approximately 200 cars and 290 trailers or 250 trucks per voyage. The vessels are as emission-free as possible and the Superstar vessels will be equipped with innovative technology. The air lubrication system creates air bubbles, which reduce friction and hydrodynamic resistance. The onshore power supply will provide an alternative source of energy, enabling emission-free operations in port. A high-powered battery bank will be charged in port and generate power at sea. Two-speed reduction gears will improve propulsion efficiency and save fuel. Green values have also been prioritised in the onboard design and in technological choices. As an example, lighting and ventilation can be adjusted automatically in the passenger accommodation, which reduces energy consumption. The new vessels will feature high-quality restaurants, a sauna and spa section, business and lounge facilities, extensive shopping areas and a variety of other services. The scenic views of the archipelago have been central in the design of the vessels. “Finnlines’ Green Newbuilding Programme has been a massive investment which will benefit our freight customers and private passengers. These hybrid ro-pax vessels are not only the largest in the company fleet so far, but they transport cargo in a more sustainable manner. For example, the vessels have been equipped with enormous high-powered battery banks and onshore power supply in order to have zero emissions while at port,” says Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO, Finnlines. “Our investment will strengthen services to our freight customers as well as to our passengers,” Pippingsköld continues.
Case published 28.7.2023
We advised Excelerate Energy on the conclusion of a lease agreement with Gasgrid Finland Oy for the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Exemplar. The Inkoo LNG terminal project will have a significant impact on securing the supply of gas to Finland and Estonia as imports of pipeline gas from Russia cease. The Exemplar is the first FSRU in Finland and the Inkoo LNG terminal project is legally unique. Moreover, the project, which is critical for Finland’s and the Baltics’ gas supply, was completed in an exceptionally short timeframe. Our experts assisted the company in a wide range of areas including contracts, energy legislation, licensing, labour law, taxation and structuring.
Case published 9.6.2023
We advised Triton Smaller Mid-Cap Fund II in a new platform investment, the formation of Habeo Group, through its acquisition and financing of eight Finnish companies. After the acquisition, Habeo Group has approximately MEUR 120 in net sales with over 600 experts providing a variety of technical building services, such as heating, plumbing and sewerage, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical works, cooling and refrigeration, fire safety and automation. In line with Habeo Group’s strategy, it has acquired successful, locally operating Finnish group companies and is now Finland’s fifth largest player in the industry. Habeo Group continues to implement its strategy through acquisitions that suit its service portfolio in Finland. The eight Habeo Group companies are the following: Afire Oy – A company that provides its clients with the best fire suppression solutions for different purposes in the market. ESP Group – A group of companies specialised in new building and repair construction, offering all HVAC, electricity and automation services reliably and skilfully. HSK Sähkö Oy – A versatile and flexible full-service electrical contractor operating in all of Finland. Neloset Group – A full-service technical building service and construction company providing housing cooperatives with construction and renovation services from a one-stop shop. Respect Group – A group that serves its clients seamlessly in all their repair construction needs. SFT Finntekniikka Oy – A refrigeration expert that provides comprehensive, high-quality service in refrigeration equipment and cooling systems. Sähkö Oy Turku and Helsinki – A group of electrical engineering companies with a large range of services including design, installation, on-site project supervision and subcontracting. Vaasan Kylmäkone Oy – A company that plans, sells, installs and maintains refrigeration equipment and systems for professional use. Since its establishment in 1997, Triton has sponsored ten funds, focusing on businesses in the industrial tech, services, consumer and healthcare sectors. The companies currently in Triton’s portfolio have combined sales of around EUR 18 billion and employ around 105,000 employees. Triton Smaller Mid-Cap Fund II applies Triton’s proven investment strategy to lower mid-market companies in the same core sectors of Services, Healthcare, Industrial Tech and Consumer, using Triton’s in-house operational capabilities and resources to help management teams to sustainably expand their companies’ market position and to implement their growth strategies.
Case published 21.4.2023
We advised NREP in a financing arrangement for the construction and development of Noli Studios co-living premises in the Otaniemi residential area of Espoo, Finland. When completed, the project will strengthen the provision of flexible living solutions in an emerging urban area. The construction of the Noli Studios Otaniemi complies with NREP’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2028 and the building will seek to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Geothermal heat will be used for heating, and both heat recovery and solar energy will be used to generate electricity. We are happy to support NREP towards sustainability.
Case published 8.7.2022
We advised VR-Group Plc as it issued an unsecured EUR 300 million green bond. The 7-year bond represents VR Group’s first issuance under its newly established Green Finance Framework. ‘The green bond is issued to support VR Group’s plan to invest around one billion euros in railway stock in Finland during 2022–2026. We will invest for example in new electric locomotives, electric trains and in the maintenance and life-cycle management of the existing fleet’, says CFO Erkka Repo. The proceeds from the issue will be used in accordance with VR Group’s Green Finance Framework to investments into the clean transportation, renewable energy projects and energy efficiency for buildings owned or operated by VR. The object is to mitigate climate change globally by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, generating of renewable energy as well as energy savings.
Case published 31.5.2022
We advised Versowood Oy as the borrower in revolving credit facility and term loan financing arrangements entered into with OP Corporate Bank plc and Danske Bank A/S, Finland Branch for the purposes of refinancing existing debt of the borrower and general corporate purposes. Versowood Oy is a family-owned company that is Finland’s largest private producer of sawn timber and the most significant wood packaging manufacturer producing sustainable wooden building and packaging materials and energy products.
Case published 21.3.2022
We advised Swedbank AB (publ) in a real estate financing arrangement in which a newly-established affiliate of an international institutional investor acquired a portfolio of seven real estate companies in Southern Finland. The signed financing arrangement enables a financing of approximately EUR 40 million of which part is committed loans and part is accordion financing.
Case published 2.2.2022