About
Provided by Bowmans
For over a century, we have met the demands of the industry by providing shipping and logistics services to our extensive range of local and international clients.
Our lawyers have been involved in many of the most significant local casualties over the past two decades, recently including the collisions involving the “Chemstar Jewel” and the “Sunrise Jade”, the fires aboard the “Tai Shan” and the “Maersk Londrina”, the sinking of the “Kiani Satu”, the grounding of the “Smart” and the loss of containers overboard the “Seroja Lima”.
In addition to our casualty work, we regularly conduct litigation to enforce maritime claims on behalf of our clients. Recently we represented the successful appellant in the “Seaspan Grouse” before the Supreme Court of Appeal, in a matter concerning the status of protective writs under South African law and following from the financial collapse of Hanjin Shipping.
According to a client quoted by Chambers & Partners, our team was “excellent”, “very practical” and “helped us get done what we had to get done in the most efficient way possible”.
Our specialist services include casualty response, shipping litigation, commercial shipping and finance and logistics.
In addition, our Ports Terminals and Logistics Corridors Sector Group has extensive expertise in the ports, terminals and logistics corridors sector across numerous countries on the African continent.
Chambers Review
Bowmans is a shipping law powerhouse in South Africa servicing P&I clubs, charterers, owners and banks on an array of wet and dry work. The firm's diverse client roster benefits from its profound expertise in mortgage foreclosures, ship arrests, vessel collisions and maritime disputes, with extensive experience concerning London-based arbitration. It additionally possesses considerable strength in casualty matters. The department is also well equipped to handle port infrastructure mandates, including ports development. The team has an active practice representing underwriters and cruise line operators, with notable strength outside of South Africa, including in Namibia.
Work Highlights
- The firm acted for Nassau Maritime Designated Activity Company and its financiers in relation to the arrest and judicial sale of the vessel 'Cape Providence' in Saldanha.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Commentators share that "Bowmans stands out as a leader," while others describe it as a "truly international firm."
One source commended the group for being "outstanding, pragmatic and reasonably priced," adding that they "understand our business to direct their advice."
Commentators share that "Bowmans stands out as a leader," while others describe it as a "truly international firm."
One source commended the group for being "outstanding, pragmatic and reasonably priced," adding that they "understand our business to direct their advice."
Notable Practitioners
Cape Town-based Lana Stockton is recognised as a growing force in South Africa's shipping space. She has experience negotiating with authorities to allow necessary transport and crew changes despite lockdown restrictions. She additionally advises on casualties, collisions and insolvencies.
Mark Van Velden is well versed in commercial transactions in the shipping space, as well as in contentious mandates, such as arrests, charter party disputes and matters relating to environmental damage. He provides counsel to his clients from his base in Durban.
"He is very diligent with a great eye for detail. His advice is simple and concise, and he is approachable in client care."
Jeremy Prain operates a practice which encompasses a broad range of shipping issues, such as search and rescue and collisions, in addition to the financing and sale of vessels. He acts for a number of P&I clubs and financial institutions and is based out of Cape Town.
"He is personable, available, time-conscious and pragmatic. He gets to know his client and find out what we want. His advice is succinct, pragmatic and good."
Durban-based Andrew Pike heads the firm's ports, transport and logistics team. He is regularly instructed to handle casualty and cargo disputes, as well as ports and terminals matters.
"He is a force to be reckoned with."
Head of department Craig Cunningham possesses a deep roster of P&I club clients and a wealth of shipping arrest experience, as well as a thorough grasp of the field's regulatory regime. He operates out of the firm's Cape Town office.
"He's a solution finder, an innovative thinker who thinks outside of the box." "He is a good lawyer with a good name in the market."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans
South Africa
Members
Provided by Bowmans
Clients
Provided by Bowmans
Credit Europe Bank N.V.
Gard
HSBC Bank plc
Holman Fenwick Willan
Ince & Co
North of England P&I Club
Reed Smith
UK P&I Club (aka Thomas Miller)
Watson, Farley & Williams
Industries
Provided by Bowmans
Aerospace & Defence
Automobiles & Parts
Banking
Construction & Materials
Energy
Financial Services
Government
Industrial Engineering
Insurance
Mining & Metals
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Retail
Telecommunications
Transportation