Barbara Versfelt

Having practised as a specialist for over 20 years, Barbara’s experience includes all aspects of maritime law, as well as transport, logistics and international trade law and insurance.

Barbara has been involved in advising and assisting a wide range of clients including P&I Clubs, ship owners, charterers, carriers, ports, freight forwarders, stevedores and other operators in the supply chain industry. She has appeared in the High Court and the Court of Appeal on shipping matters.

Barbara is ranked in Band 1 for Shipping in New Zealand by Chambers & Partners in the 2022 Asia Pacific Guide (view the listing here).

She is the author of the New Zealand chapter on the Judicial Sale of Vessels and Priority of Claims in the Maritime Law Handbook published by Kluwer Law International. Barbara founded the New Zealand National Association of Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) and she is a committee member of the New Zealand Branch of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand (MLAANZ). Barbara has been a practising maritime lawyer since 1993, first as an advocate with AKD in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and, since 1999, in New Zealand. She is fluent in English, Dutch and French.