Maritime and Transport

As we continue to navigate economic uncertainty and supply chain issues, as well as the increasing prevalence of maritime pollution incidents, the maritime and transport sectors have come under increasing focus.

Our specialist Maritime and Transport practice, led by Partner Michelle Taylor (a market leading practitioner who brings over 25 years’ experience in maritime and transport law) provides legal and strategic advice across all areas of maritime and transport law, including major maritime incidents, marine insurance claims, admiralty litigation (ship arrest), sea carriage (bill of lading and charter party disputes), supply chain and logistics contracts, ship construction and procurement transactions. Our Maritime and Transport practice leverages the expertise of partners in the firm across a number of practice groups, including Government, Commercial Insurance and Corporate and Commercial.  Whatever your maritime and transport needs we have you covered.

Our key clients range from Australian and foreign governments to insurers and corporates. Working closely with our Ports team, we have advised major Australian Ports in respect of a variety of maritime related construction and leasing arrangements, port towage services and place of refuge matters. Our firm is a member of Shipping Australia Limited.

We have a depth of experience in pollution and major maritime incidents in all Australian jurisdictions, including as lead adviser to AMSA on the YM Efficiency incident which concluded in 2021. Involvement in this matter led to our recent appointment to represent the Government of Sri Lanka in the wreck removal and resulting environmental loss claim involving the “X-Press Pearl”, a container ship that exploded and subsequently sank on 2 June 2021 (the worst maritime disaster to have struck Sri Lanka). 

Our Maritime and Transport practice is ranked in the 2022 Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

Marine insurance

We have experience in Marine insurance, acting for marine insurers in the Australian and London markets as well as shipowners, operators, agents, charterers, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, logistics and transport companies. Our team has provided advice to the Insurance Council of Australia on marine insurance issues and is a lead firm on a number of maritime panels for major insurers.

Our team also works closely with our Government practice to provide contracting, IP and construction advice to major Government departments on high risk and high value projects involving the procurement and construction of maritime vessels and has advised and has advised state governments on shipping related matters.

Our expertise in maritime law is strengthened by our in-depth knowledge of the road transport industry, including our involvement in many high-profile prosecutions under chain of responsibility legislation including Heavy Vehicle National Law.

Lead Partner Michelle Taylor was awarded 2023 Lawyer of the Year—Shipping and Maritime Law in Best Lawyers, is ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific Band 2 for Shipping and is recognised in Doyle's Guide as a Leading Admiralty, Shipping and Maritime Lawyer.  Michelle is the President of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand (MLAANZ) and is an executive of the Australian Maritime and Transport Arbitration Commission (AMTAC).

Aviation

Our Aviation team, lead by Mark Sainsbury, has been providing legal services to the aviation sector for more than 25 years.   Mark is a long-standing member of the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand (ALAANZ) and is recognised in Best Lawyers Australia for Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation.

In the areas of insurance and risk management, our aviation lawyers advise insurers on coverage and defend claims across the full range of risks facing owners, operators and repairers of fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles/remotely piloted aircraft, operating within the general aviation, charter and regular public transport sectors. We advise operators and pilots on licensing and regulatory issues and defend prosecutions commenced by the regulator in the federal tribunals and courts.  We work closely with aviation brokers and preferred loss adjusters to ensure efficient claims management and to minimise impact on insured owners and operators.

On the commercial side, our Aviation lawyers provide advice in the areas of corporate governance, employment and operational activity, aircraft acquisition and leasing, security and registration requirements, supplier and distribution agreements, construction and consultancy arrangements, and consumer law and trade practices issues.