ENSafrica‘s department has established strength in handling a broad range of contentious and non-contentious shipping matters. Practice head Tony Norton is a specialist in maritime law and acts for marine insurers, agents, and owners and operators of vessels in cases involving maritime casualties, as well as defending maritime claims before the High Court. Jacqui Kaufmann is highly regarded for her expertise in handling litigation arising from ship attachments and arrests, and Kate Pitman’s workload includes assisting with bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, and charterparty matters. Marine insurance and defence disputes are key areas of instruction for Michael Tucker. Bibi Motala and Angelique Barroso-Cordier are key names in the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'The shipping department provides an exceptional legal service with very good response times and excellent understanding of the business. The shipping department has a particularly dynamic and diverse team of young, talented and seasonal professionals. The team are always a pleasure to work with and make the effort to build and maintain client relationships.'
‘Tony Norton is widely considered to be the leading shipping practitioner in South Africa. He is exceptional with his broad range of knowledge and experience in the field.'
'All the team members are extremely accessible, hardworking and deliver an impeccable standard of work. Tony Norton and his team are my preferred lawyers for all shipping matters and make an excellent team to work with.’
‘ENS has highly experienced attorneys.'
'Jacqui Kaufmann and Bibi Motala are down to earth and personable.'

Key clients

Amawandle Hake (Pty) Ltd (an Oceana Group Limited [‘OGL’] subsidiary)
QBE British Marine
2OPIC (Pty) Ltd
Gard AS
Koch Shipping Pte Ltd
Reed Smith LLP
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA (MSC)
Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited
Korea Shipping Corporation
Korea Tonnage No.27 Shipping Company
Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Europe
Sociedade de Desenvolvimento do Port de Maputo S.A.R.L (“MPDC”)
Terminal de Carvao da Matola Limitada (“TCM”)
Group Risk Mutual Limited
NS Qingdao Shipping Co Ltd
London P&I Club
Prime Paradise International Limited
P&I Associates (Pty) Ltd
Chiotelis & Co, Greece
Minmetals Logistics Zhejiang Co. Ltd
Charterers P&I Club
The Shipowners’ Protection and Indemnity Association (Luxembourg)
Linsen Nambi (Pty) Ltd
ONE Line A/S
North Standard P&I Club
Owners of the mv THEMIS
Owners of the mv FORTUNE STAR
The Swedish P&I Club
African Marine Solutions
The American P&I Club

Work highlights

Advising Amawandle Hake (Pty) Ltd and P&I insurers, QBE British Marine, in respect of an allision by a commercial trawler with a quayside, causing a shoreside crane to partially destroy a quayside building installation.
Advising Prime Paradise International Limited regarding a dispute over the ownership of the vessel “Marvin Star”, on the grounds that transfer of ownership of the vessel was fraudulent.
Providing ongoing assistance to the Korea Shipping Corporation and the Korea Tonnage No.27 Shipping Company of the mv "SM New York", via the Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Europe, regarding multiple high-value claims arising from damage caused by high winds through the port of Durban in 2017.