Norton Rose Fulbright, Shipping | Chambers Global Profile

About

Provided by Norton Rose Fulbright

Overview of our practice

Our South African shipping practice includes casualty response, logistics, commercial drafting for port service providers, logistics companies, commodity traders and charterers, port regulatory matters, customs and excise issues, an English law demurrage team for global energy clients, domestic and foreign dispute resolution, marine insurance cover and subrogated claims recovery.

We have a large global shipping practice and we work regularly with our offices in London, Houston, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Key types of work and areas of recent growth

Advising on LNG projects based at or near ports in Mozambique, South Africa and Nambia
Drafting bespoke marine insurance agreements for South African marine insurers;
Drafting logistics agreements for tobacco and retail industry;
Handling demurrage claims for global oil major;
Defending freight operators and/or their liability insurers following fire, theft and customs claims;
Customs and other disputes with revenue authorities;
Advising on port regulatory issues for port service and terminal operators;
Advising market on developments on AI and Blockchain technology;
Continuing to advise entire South African marine insurance market on issues of common interest and all shipping casualties; and
Launch of door-to-door logistics offering to logistics an supply chain operators.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Shipping - South Africa

Band 2

What the team is known for

Norton Rose Fulbright operates a prominent shipping and ports practice that enjoys an enviable reputation for its insurance and cargo interests work. The team is well versed in the handling of casualties, judicial sales, issues stemming from declarations of general average, and debt and security enforcement, as well as advising on commercial contracts for ferry services and shipbuilders. The drafting of marine insurance policies is a further notable specialism. The team frequently acts on cross-border mandates both within Africa and worldwide, representing clients including underwriters, insurers, owners and P&I clubs.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright represented members of Parakou Shipping in three arrest cases in South Africa.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"Norton Rose Fulbright devote much attention to ensure that they remain abreast of developments both in the law and in the maritime industry."

Shipping respondent
Global

"It is our go-to law firm for any complex matters as it is able to assemble a team that has the necessary skills and experience to address whatever situation we find ourselves in, with exceptional speed."

Shipping respondent
Global

"Norton Rose Fulbright devote much attention to ensure that they remain abreast of developments both in the law and in the maritime industry."

Shipping respondent
Global

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Andrew Robinson

Band 1

Andrew Robinson is held in high regard in South Africa as one of the jurisdiction's foremost shipping experts, with particular note of his insurance work in the space. He is additionally sought out for his advice on legislative changes and charter party-related mandates.

"Andrew Robinson is meticulous and knows what he is doing."

"He is a very good and capable lawyer."

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Malcolm Hartwell

Band 2

Malcolm Hartwell heads the shipping team from the firm's Durban office. He has accumulated a wealth of experience in the space handling casualty and recovery mandates, as well as arrests, groundings, collisions and commercial transactions.

"Malcolm Hartwell's explanation of the issues is clear and concise."

"You always feel that he knows what is going on and he keeps up to speed."

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