Areas of Expertise

Transport & Logistics, Construction & Infrastructure, Competition & Regulation, Corporate & Advisory, Property, Government

Over the last 25 years, Paul has handled over 3000 port, shipping, rail and logistics related matters covering a wide range of corporate, commercial, operational and risk issues across all states of Australia. His experience includes structuring, drafting, negotiating and advising on some of the largest and most complex port, rail, logistics, infrastructure, operating and bulk handling contracts that have been entered into in Australia in recent years.

Paul specialises in contract, property, infrastructure, maritime and commercial transaction law with particular emphasis on ports and harbours, maritime and sea trade ventures, shipping, port and waterfront asset sales and acquisitions, transport industry due diligence, port operational risk management, major port development, construction and infrastructure projects, complex terminal management, operating, leasing and licensing transactions, contract drafting, negotiations and statutory interpretation.

He also has extensive experience working with onshore and offshore logistics agreements, road and rail services and operations, rail infrastructure projects, dredging, warehousing, pipelines, stevedoring, towage, pilotage, bunkering,  mooring and lines, , fuel supply, storage, capacity reservation models, take-or-pay regimes, third party access regimes and procurement contracts for major items of plant and equipment including ship loaders and unloaders, conveyor systems, cranes, locomotives and rolling stock.

What others say

"Lawyer of the Year – Transportation Law - Perth"
Best Lawyers Peer Review 2019, 2022, 2024
"Leading Lawyer – Australia, Commercial Law"
Best Lawyers Peer Review 2014 – 2025
"Leading Lawyer – Australia, Transportation"
Best Lawyers Peer Review 2017 – 2025

Experience

Ashburton North Project

Lead adviser to the Dampier Port Authority and negotiated on its behalf in relation to all aspects of the Chevron operated and Wheatstone Joint Venture funded greenfield port development and operating contracts at Ashburton North involving the construction and transfer of over $4 billion worth of open access common user LNG export related infrastructure with port terminal long term lease and operating concessions back to the proponent.

Cockatoo Island Terminal Project

A two stage development of three jetties, three wharves, associated channel dredging and a 62 hectare seabed reclamation at Cockatoo Island in the Port of Yampi Sound in Western Australia. Advising on, drafting and negotiating detailed foundation development, construction and long term operating contracts as lead adviser to the Kimberley Ports Authority.

Iron Bridge Project international and domestic logistics contract

Lead external advisor to the Fortescue Metals Group in relation to all aspects of its Iron Bridge Project outsourced logistics contract covering the international and domestic planning, tracking, delivery and supply chain management of all goods, materials, plant and equipment by ship, air, rail and road necessary for the construction and commissioning of the A$3.5 billion Iron Bridge mine in Western Australia including biosecurity, COVID protocols and tariff reduction management.

KMSB Supply Base Project

Lead adviser to the Kimberley Ports Authority and negotiated on its behalf on all aspects of the proposed Kimberly Marine Support Base project and the associated construction and long term concession and operating contracts including the installation and operation of significant floating wharf infrastructure.

Brockman Mining Marillana Joint Venture

Lead adviser to Mineral Resources in relation to its mine to ship infrastructure, rail and shipping services agreement with the Brockman Mining Marillana Joint Venture concerning the construction and operation of over 300kms of rail and a new iron ore export terminal at Port Hedland within an open access structure.

Webb Dock new International container terminal and empty container park

Lead adviser to the VICTL consortium (ICTSI and Anglo Ports) in its successful bid to build, own and operate the third international container terminal and associated empty container park at Webb Dock in the Port of Melbourne.