Given the vast majority of Africa’s international trade, both imports and exports, moves by sea, maritime law provides a crucial framework for the continent’s progress and growth, says expert shipping and insurance lawyer Nick Veldman.
“This trade is the primary way Africa connects commercially with the rest of the world,” says Nick, who on 1 May joined the Cape Town office of global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. “Maritime law establishes how to manage the complex risks and resolve inevitable disputes associated with shipping.”
Clients in the maritime sector face a dynamic and fluid environment, and without established legal principles ensuring predictability in commercial transactions, the reliable flow of goods needed for Africa’s growth couldn’t effectively happen.
Nick, ranked as “Up and Coming” in Shipping by Chambers and Partners this year - at the forefront of his generation – is very excited to contribute to the Norton Rose Fulbright team; building on their “already impressive shipping and transport capabilities”, helping serve existing clients, expanding their Cape Town offering.
“Nick is widely respected in the maritime legal communities for his technical skill, commercial judgment, and strategic approach,” said Brent Botha, CEO of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, when the appointment was announced yesterday.
Nick’s journey into maritime law included early exposure to complex cases involving vessel casualties and the London insurance market. With more than ten years’ experience in complex commercial, insurance, and admiralty law disputes, he has acted before South African courts and international arbitration forums.
Nowadays, Nick still loves the intellectual challenge, constant learning, and the thrill of tackling a complex new instruction, and is driven to mentor junior colleagues, hoping to guide them in this field just as his mentors guided him.
“It’s about leveraging my skills within a firm that has the reach and resources to handle the complex, often cross-border, issues our clients face today,” he says.
Key challenges facing African shipping, says Nick, often include dealing with the consequences of port inefficiencies and infrastructure bottlenecks, managing risks associated with maritime security concerns in certain areas, navigating complex and sometimes inconsistent regulations, and handling the fallout from operational incidents like vessel and/or cargo casualties.
“On the flip side, there are opportunities driven by ongoing investment in modernising ports and logistics infrastructure, as well as Africa's growing role in global supply chains, including for minerals crucial to the energy transition.”
That’s why maritime law is vital, and where the deep expertise of Nick and his new colleagues comes in. “We help clients navigate this landscape,” says Nick. “Leveraging the firm's strong presence across Africa and globally, combined with deep industry knowledge, we offer practical, commercially-focused advice.”
Nick’s focus, particularly among the Cape Town team, will centre on assisting clients resolve complex shipping and transport disputes, and guiding them through intricate marine insurance matters.
“Essentially,” he says, “we use our litigation and insurance expertise, backed by the firm’s global resources, to help clients manage risk effectively and protect their interests when challenges arise in this demanding sector.”