Aviation & Maritime

Financing the future of Aviation and Maritime

Aviation Finance  

The SMBC Aviation Platform, comprising SMBC, SMBC Aviation Capital, SMBC Aero Engine Lease, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing - is a market leader in aviation finance. We offer a full spectrum of solutions tailored to evolving client needs and market cycles, backed by expertise, scale and product diversification.  

SMBC has over 40 years of experience financing the aviation sector in EMEA. We finance a wide range of aircraft and engines through diverse structures, including secured and unsecured facilities, full and limited recourse options. Our expertise in the Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) product enables us to offer customers a 100% financing solution. We also collaborate closely with financial institutions and investors in Japan and globally to help clients expand and diversify their funding sources.  

Maritime Finance

SMBC is at the forefront of maritime finance with over five decades of experience and leadership in the sector across Japan and globally. The bank’s natural dedication to shipping guarantees long term support to the shipping industry. Our EMEA team – based in Paris and London - comprises seasoned, dedicated experts who understand the complexities of the sector.  

We finance a wide range of ocean-going vessels and asset types through bespoke solutions tapping on a diverse set of products.  

As a trusted advisor on complex financing projects, we support our customers from the early stages of development – whether it is capex programs or investments aimed at reducing emissions. These initiatives often require coordination across multiple stakeholders and financing parties, and we bring the experience and insight needed to guide them successfully.  

Working closely with financial institutions in Japan and globally, SMBC further helps expanding and diversifying the funding sources of our clients. 

SMBC is a member of the Poseidon Principles, the world’s first sector specific, self-governing climate alignment agreement amongst financial institutions. 

Driving economic growth & social value across aviation and maritime

As dedicated sector bankers in the aviation and maritime industries, SMBC supports clients’ Corporate Finance and Treasury needs with products and services across:  

• Treasury (deposits, cash management, L/Cs)  

• Derivatives (FX, interest rates)  

• Debt capital markets (bonds, ABS and EETC) 

Through our strategic alliance with Jefferies, we also meet the M&A and equity capital markets needs of aviation and shipping companies.  

In line with our commitment to sustainability, we work closely with our aviation and maritime clients to support emissions reduction and the transition to a decarbonised economy through the arrangement of sustainable finance.