our people
Thomas Henstra
practical experience
Thomas Henstra is a Senior Associate at ENS in the Shipping, Ports and Logistics practice.
Thomas specialises in shipping and admiralty law.
His experience includes advising on a broad spectrum of shipping and maritime disputes. He has acted in complex litigation and arbitration, representing clients in the High Court of South Africa, in domestic South African arbitration, and in international arbitration forums such as the ICC, LCIA and LMAA. The nature of these disputes has involved claims arising from casualties, cargo losses, bill of lading disputes, charterparty disputes, bunker disputes and ship arrests.
His experience also encompasses marine and general insurance matters, defending insurers and insured parties in stock loss, professional indemnity, and public liability claims, as well as advising on regulatory and compliance issues.
He is a member of the Maritime Law Society of South Africa.
Thomas is recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by:
- The Legal 500 EMEA (Recommended Lawyer) 2025, 2024, 2023 – Shipping and Transport (South Africa)
qualifications
- LLB (University of Cape Town)
- BSocSc (University of Cape Town)
- Admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa