Transport

The transport and trade sectors are vital to Australia’s economy. The maritime industry faces challenges such as lower commodity prices, reduced freight rates and increasing regulation, significantly impacting ship owners and operators. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific aviation industry is the world’s fastest growing, with infrastructure under pressure to meet demand driven by growth in China, India and Indonesia.

For over 110 years we have been recognised as the leading transport practice in Australia. Our integrated national team offers unrivalled experience across airlines, airports, rail, road, shipping, marine and trade. We advise on commercial, finance, regulatory, insurance and operational issues, and handle claims, losses, emergency response and coronial inquiries. Our lawyers bring in-house and commercial experience from major industry players, enabling responsive, practical, cross-disciplinary advice. We also provide expert legal services for transport infrastructure and general commercial support across the sector.

Our practice is led by both Joe Hurley, a market-leading advisor in all aspects of international and domestic shipping disputes, and Matthew Brooks, who has extensive experience in aviation, maritime and transport law.

Joe has acted in most of Australia’s leading admiralty cases as well as advising on “front-end” shipping and trade commercial matters. Matthew represents airlines, general aviation operators, maintenance organisations, ground handlers, and their insurers, in relation to a range of claims and disputes, and also represent marine operators in relation to casualty incidents and defending liability claims. They are supported by a team of specialists in transport, aviation, maritime, shipping and trade. Together our efficient expert teams provide practical, commercial, cost-effective and value-added solutions.

Additional expertise

View all team members Related insights

Transport

Our experience

  • Reiter Petroleum Inc Acted in an appeal to the Full Federal Court of Australia concerning the right of our client to arrest the ship “SAM HAWK” for a US/Canadian maritime lien under s 15 of the Admiralty Act 1988 (Cth).
  • MTC Shenzhen Co Ltd (MTC) Advised in a dispute with Dick Smith Electronics (DSE) regarding MTC’s ability to exercise its right to stoppage of TVs in transit to DSE, that were sold immediately before administrators, receivers and managers were appointed to DSE in January 2016.
  • Vessel Hanjin California Instructed by Owners and the London P&I Club to respond to the arrest of the Hanjin California in Sydney following the fall of Hanjin in September 2016.
  • Thor Commander Acting for Mount Isa Mines Limited (and Navigators Insurance), the owners of cargo on board the Ship “Thor Commander” in relation to salvage services provided to the ship following an engine breakdown in 2015 close to the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
  • NSW Government Sydney Trains Acting and advising on numerous commercial contracts and risk management issues.
  • Tigerair Advising on the start-up of a domestic high capacity RPT airline in Australia.
  • Various airlines Advising airlines and their insurers on liability for Deep Vein Thrombosis, successfully arguing that airlines are not liable.
  • Commonwealth of Australia Advising Airservices Australia on the procurement of its new “Airport Collaborative Decision Making Program” covering all airports and airlines in Australia.
  • Aeromedical services Advising Aspen Medical on its WARAME (Western Australia Resources Aero Medical Evacuation) contract with numerous resource companies in WA.
  • Foreign Airlines (Including from Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines) Advising on the successful start-up of numerous foreign carriers to Australia.