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Webber Wentzel
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Shipping

About

Provided by Webber Wentzel

Our Shipping, Marine Insurance and Transport Practice consists of some of the most experienced and widely respected maritime practitioners in South Africa, covering all areas of admiralty jurisdiction and practice. The practice has a varied client base which ranges from ship owners, charterers and their P&I Clubs, cargo interests including commodity traders and cargo insurers, hull and liability insurers, shipping and clearing and forwarding agents, shipyards, necessaries men, port operators and foreign states. The practice is able to offer legal advice and assistance anywhere within Southern Africa, and through our Africa network along the East Coast of Africa. We emphasise availability, speed of response and proactive measures. Where necessary we are able to draw on the support of other teams across the firm, which specialise in areas such as tax, banking and finance, environmental, corporate, commercial and labour law.


Contacts: Andre Bowley, Partner ([email protected]); Gavin Fitzmaurice, Partner ([email protected]) and Patrick Holloway, Partner ([email protected]).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Shipping - South Africa

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Webber Wentzel has a top-tier shipping group that demonstrates considerable expertise in vessel collisions and other casualties, as well as handling charter party disputes and cargo claims. The team is commended for its dry work and its representation of ports and terminal authorities, particularly in relation to issues such as damage, allisions and grounding claims. The firm additionally represents various local businesses, as well as international companies, insurers and underwriters, in high-profile cases. Webber Wentzel is notably proficient in arrest work, with a growing practice acting on instructions from P&I clubs.

Work Highlights

  • Weber Wentzel defended Transnet Ports Terminals against claims related to a fire in the terminal's conveyor belt.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

On time-critical matters, the advice is always provided expediently.

Shipping respondent
Global

What particularly distinguishes Webber Wentzel is its ability to combine technical legal excellence with a practical, solution-oriented approach.

Shipping respondent
Global

Webber Wentzel' team is very responsive, thinks outside the box, is available and always finds solutions.

Shipping respondent
Global

Webber Wentzel gives us confidence when appointed as its team is always there when we need legal advice and will provide a clear and meaningful response to assist us.

Shipping respondent
Global

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Gavin Fitzmaurice
1
Gavin Fitzmaurice
1
Band 1
Cape Town-based Gavin Fitzmaurice co-heads the practice. He has cultivated a stellar reputation for his representation of port authorities, shipping companies, P&I clubs and underwriters in all manner of complex issues, such as arrests, collisions and casualty response.

He is an excellent lawyer who is able to deliver succinct and reliable advice with great expediency.

Gavin is without a doubt one of the top maritime lawyers. He has a charming manner that places clients at ease and an unparalleled ability to identify key legal issues under pressure.

He stands out to me not only for his knowledge and technical understanding, but also for his calm approach in stressful matters.

Gavin Fitzmaurice provides an exceptional level of service. He stands out as a trusted adviser who combines technical excellence with genuine strategic insight.

He is a top lawyer with fantastic analytical skills and is very easy to work with. He thinks outside the box and is a go-to person in the region for complex and difficult cases.

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Andre Bowley
3
Andre Bowley
3
Band 3
Andre Bowley co-leads the firm's shipping practice from Cape Town and is well versed in handling transactional and contractual matters in the space. He has further experience in shipping disputes.

Andre Bowley is one of the cleverest lawyers I have ever met.

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Patrick Holloway
3
Patrick Holloway
3
Band 3

Patrick Holloway co-heads the practice. He provides counsel to his clients from the law firm's Cape Town office. He has a particularly deep client following among maritime insurers, advising on claims relating to matters such as allisions and collisions.

Patrick's general marine insurance expertise means he is always a measured, safe bet for meaningful and helpful advice.

Patrick Holloway does a good job and is very knowledgeable.

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Ranked Lawyers at
Webber Wentzel

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South Africa

Shipping
Gavin Fitzmaurice
1
Gavin Fitzmaurice
1
Band 1
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Andre Bowley
3
Andre Bowley
3
Band 3
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Patrick Holloway
3
Patrick Holloway
3
Band 3
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Members

Provided by Webber Wentzel