Image of Matthias Voss

Matthias Voss

Partner

Email

matthias.voss@aoshearman.com

Phone

+81 3 4567 3336

Offices

Tokyo

V-CARD
Matthias is Co-Managing Partner of Japan & Korea and Managing Partner of Tokyo.

He is an energy and infrastructure expert who has been advising project sponsors, project companies and financiers across a wide range of industries on complex projects around the globe for nearly 30 years.

Matthias focuses in particular on energy transition and green energy projects, advising regularly on both project development (including joint venture formation, project structuring and development, commercial contracts and supply chain/procurement strategies) and related financings, particularly multi-sourced project financings involving multiple financiers such as ECAs, MLAs, DFIs and commercial banks.

In 2022, Matthias was shortlisted as a finalist for the FT Innovative Lawyers Award (Asia Pacific), in recognition of his strong advocacy and achievements in the energy transition field, including founding the firm’s Hydrogen Interest Group, actively publishing thought leadership across the industry, helping clients maximize return, mitigating risk and guiding and supporting them on their short and longer term decarbonisation strategies.

Currently based in Tokyo, Matthias has also practiced in the firm’s London, Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul offices. He speaks English, Mandarin, French, German and conversational Japanese.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • An Asian utility major on its clean ammonia procurement at scale.
  • A global trading company on a sustainable aviation fuel project (including on the RED II/III and ReFuelEU Aviation initiative aspects).
  • The Japanese ECAs, mandated lead arrangers and the commercial banks on a USD1.4bn pre-export finance facility to CSN Mineração S.A, one of Brazil’s largest mining companies. The facility will primarily be used to finance the capital expenditure for the construction of a production plant for iron ore pellet feed, an essential raw material for low-carbon steelmaking by way of electric furnaces.
  • JERA on its USD200m investment in ReNew Power, one of India’s largest renewable energy companies. JERA agreed to acquire an equity stake of 10% in ReNew Power through subscription of newly issued shares in ReNew by a wholly-owned JERA subsidiary.
Other representative experience
  • ENGIE and AGIG as project sponsors of the development of the Murray Valley blended hydrogen project in Victoria, including advising on the participants’ application and submission for ARENA funding.
  • JBIC, NEXI and ADB and the commercial lenders on the USD1.8bn 2x800MW Jawa 1 FSRU and gas-fired IPP project in Indonesia, the first LNG-to-Power project in Asia. Asia Pacific Power – Gas Deal of the Year – Jawa 1, IJ Global Awards 2019. Project Finance Deal of the Year, IFLR Asia-Pacific 2019.
  • The Export Credit Agencies and lenders on the development and financing of the approximately USD8bn Coral FLNG project to be moored in the Area 4 Coral South Offshore Basin, Mozambique. The first-ever project financing of a floating LNG vessel (FLNG), the first LNG project Mozambique and the USD5bn financing was the largest project financing in African history at the time. Midstream Oil & Gas Deal of the Year, IJ Global 2018. ECA-backed Energy Deal of the Year, TXF 2018.
  • The sponsor on the development and financing arrangements in respect of a proposed Taiwanese offshore wind project.
  • Multiple international energy companies on their bids for participation in various Japanese offshore wind projects.

Published Work

  • Voss M (2022) “Global Hydrogen Review 2022” (link to publication), International Energy Agency
  • Voss M, Komachi H, Komachi (2022) “Ukraine War puts Japan’s clean energy transition at risk” (link to article), in Financial Times, May 2022
  • Voss M, Komachi H, Takahashi A (2021) “Japan’s NEDO to unlock the Green Innovation Fund for hydrogen investors” (link to article), Allen & Overy
  • Voss M, Neilson S, Komachi H (2021) “Japan's new energy strategy: Reflections on COP” (link to article), Allen & Overy
  • Voss M, Bisley M, 2009, 'Legal Update - Stimulus package boosts green efforts', South China Morning Post
  • Voss M, Wei H, 2009, 'Familiar yet strange: guarantees and security under Chinese Law', Journal of International Banking & Finance Law
  • Voss M, Blacks S, 2004, 'Legal View - How Transport Can Move Ahead', in Financial Times, September
  • Voss M, Silk M, 2004, 'Investing in China - Power Experts are in Demand', in Financial Times, June
  • Voss M, Silk M, 2004, 'Power to the People - Recent Changes in China's Power Markets', Project Finance International, in Asia Pacific Review April

Speaking Engagements

  • Panel/Moderator, International Cooperation: The key to facilitate integrated hydrogen economy/Connecting Green Hydrogen Conference, October 2022 
  • Guest speaker, Catherine O’Connell’s Lawyer On Air Podcast Series “Creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable law firm in Tokyo with Matthias Voss”, August 2022
  • Speaker, A&O Ask the Experts - How to Make Hydrogen Projects a Success, Episode 3: “Lessons learnt from hydrogen projects in the Middle East and AsiaPac”, February 2022
  • Chair and Speaker, A&O Energy & Infrastructure Virtual Series 2021 “Session 7: Global Hydrogen Seminar”, December 2021
  • Panel/Organiser, Paris Peace Forum: “Supporting Decarbonisation: Clean Hydrogen Governance”, November 2021
  • Panel/Chair/Speaker, JOI Seminar “The Path to Net Zero: The European Approach”, October 2021

Recognition

“Matthias Voss exhibits excellent attention to detail. He has so much experience in the area in which we instruct him, and can identify and anticipate relevant issues.”
Chamber Asia Pacific, 2024 (Japan – Projects & Energy, International Firms)
“Matthias handles complex situations and negotiations very well to resolve the complexity of the dynamics.”
Chambers Asia Pacific, 2024 (Korea – Project & Infrastructure, International Firms)

Awards

  • Leading Individual: Band 1 Lawyer – Projects & Energy, Japan (International Firms) 
    Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, 2023, 2022
  • Leading Individual: Gaiben – Banking & Finance, Japan (International Firms and Joint Ventures) 
    Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, 2023, 2022 
  • Leading Individual: Band 1 Lawyer - Projects & Infrastructure, South Korea (International Firms)
    Chambers Asia Pacific 2023, 2022
  • Leading Individual - Projects & Energy, South Korea (Foreign Firms) 
    Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023, 2022 
  • Finalist: Most Innovative Legal Practitioner 
    FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific 2022 

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer (England & Wales), Japan, 2013 (Tokyo Bar Association)

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1997

Academic

MA East Asian Studies Durham University, 1991

Postgraduate Diploma in Law Nottingham Trent University, 1993

Diploma in Legal Practice Nottingham Trent University, 1994

Admitted as solicitor in England and Wales, 1997

Languages

English, German
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.