South Africa > Shipping
Shipping
Based in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, Bowman Gilfillan remains one of the go-to firms for shipowners, P&I clubs and referrals from foreign law firms. The team provides ‘a high level of service’ and its partners have ‘a firm understanding of their objectives’ when it comes to ship arrests and casualties, as well as non-contentious matters. The group recently acted for Transnet in the long-running Alina II arrest case. Craig Cunningham is a clear leader in the field, and Jeremy Prain is an expert in contentious and non-contentious matters.
Shepstone & Wylie is a leading shipping boutique, which is frequently instructed to act in the most challenging and high-value shipping cases. It acts for many leading shipowners, insurers and P&I clubs. Durban’s Shane Dwyer is the key name for major cases, and Krish Reddy in Durban and Johan Swart in Cape Town are also recommended.
Webber Wentzel provides ‘an excellent level of service’ and is ‘a first-class maritime law firm in South Africa’. Already recognised as a leader in casualty work, the firm has also attracted a growing number of instructions from owners and P&I clubs in ship arrests; traditionally it has acted for the arresting party. It also has a strong ship finance team. Gavin Fitzmaurice is ‘extremely easy to work with’ and also ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’; Patrick Holloway is ‘excellent’ and provides ‘constructive solutions’; Andre Bowley is ‘hardworking’ and ‘efficient’; and Marius Diemont is ‘a tremendous asset’.
ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) has consolidated its position in the shipping sector following the arrival of the ‘top-drawer’ Tony Norton and a team including Kate Pitman from
Norton Rose South Africa fields a team of transport specialists in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town that includes master mariner Malcolm Hartwell. The firm acts for a range of insurers, underwriters, P&I clubs and shipowners in major casualty cases in the region. Hartwell, Andrew Robinson and Matthew Ash are recommended.
Michael Poseman and Andrew Clark are the key figures at Durban-based Cox Yeats, which is best known for representing cargo insurers.
Durban-based Van Velden Pike & Partners is ‘excellent’ and ‘a force for the future’, with clients highlighting its ‘responsiveness’ and ‘solutions-oriented’ approach. Founding partners Andrew Pike and Mark van Velden are ‘sensible’, ‘knowledgeable’ and particularly adept at dealing with ship arrests.