Morocco

Azeddine Zanari is an experienced maritime and insurance professional with more than 35 years of senior-level experience across marine operations, surveying, loss adjusting, insurance claims, maritime law and risk management. His background combines practical seagoing experience as a former Merchant Marine Captain with extensive shore-based expertise in marine insurance, claims handling and legal advisory services.

Following a long career with CMA CGM Maroc and COMANAV, where he served as Global Legal Counsel Senior Manager from 2009 to 2025.

 

Azeddine began his career at sea, progressing from Second Mate to First Mate and then to Captain between 1991 and 2000. His seagoing experience covered RoRo vessels, container ships, general cargo vessels, refrigerated vessels, passenger ships and dredgers.

He subsequently worked as a Marine & Aviation Underwriter and Surveyor with Société Centrale de Réassurance, combining underwriting responsibilities with pre-risk and post-loss surveying across marine and non-marine insurance portfolios.

From 2005 to 2008, he served as Fleet Captain and Claims Handler for CMA CGM's Moroccan-flag fleet, overseeing crew and statutory compliance, repairs and dry-docking while handling H&M, P&I, LoH and third-party claims and recoveries.

 

During his senior legal career with CMA CGM Maroc and COMANAV, Azeddine provided strategic legal advice relating to maritime and logistics operations, drafted and negotiated commercial contracts and charter parties, and managed complex insurance, litigation, arbitration and mediation matters.

His experience also includes high-value maritime recoveries, international dispute resolution, ship auctions and asset disposals, regulatory compliance and corporate risk-management programmes.

 

Qualifications & Professional Certifications

Azeddine's professional credentials include:

• Certified by Lloyd's – CCSP 1 & 2
• Certified Mediator and Arbitrator
• Certified ISM, ISPS & MLC Auditor – RINA
• Master of Marine & Transport Law, Aix-Marseille University
• MBA, High Institute of Trade & Business Administration, Casablanca
• Unlimited Seagoing Captain's Licence, STCW compliant

Academic & Industry Contribution

In addition to his operational and professional work, Azeddine has contributed to maritime education and industry knowledge through publications, conference presentations and lecturing. He previously served as a Visiting Lecturer in Marine Law at the Institut Supérieur d'Études Maritimes in Casablanca and the University Mohamed V in Rabat and has presented internationally on marine insurance and loss prevention.

 

Languages

Azeddine is fluent in Arabic, French and English, with proficient Spanish

 

Matthew is our Gibraltar office Founder and Partner. Since 2018, he has undertaken numerous casualty surveys and investigations of all kinds for H&M Underwriters and P&I Clubs, including engine failure, collision, grounding and fire damages.

In addition, Matthew has carried out a number of warranty surveys, such as Towage Approval, JH 2013/007A (Engine Room, Machinery and Bunker Fuel Risk Assessment), JH 2013/007C (Crew and Office Management Assessment), as well as JH143 Shipyard Risk Assessment.

Matthew possesses vast knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese and West African shipyards and repair facilities, combined with strong ties with Gibraltar regional maritime Authorities and community.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE and QUALIFICATIONS:
LRS Class Surveyor (both Ships-In-Service and New Buildings) for 11 years in: London, Cadiz, Lisbon, Ulsan (South Korea) and Gibraltar.
Flag State Surveyor and Port State Control Inspector for the Gibraltar Maritime Administration for 2 years.
Managing and Technical Director of an Offshore and Maritime Marpol Waste Management Company operating slop barges and oil/chemical tanker.
Certified Operator for Ultrasonic hatch cover tightness testing with Class Type Approved Sherlog TA.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:
MEng in Ship Science (Naval Architecture) from the University of Southampton.