Maritime + Transport

The leading Queensland-headquartered maritime and transport practice

We are the region’s largest and most experienced practice managing all aspects of transactional and contentious shipping, maritime and transport law.

We have accumulated experience and expertise across generations of lawyers in the obscure area of law that is maritime and transport.

It’s why our clients put our skills and experience to work for them.

Our Maritime + Transport specialists are committed to providing clients with peace of mind and are the go-to advisers for insurers and owners when incidents occur in Queensland, Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, the South Western Pacific, Melanesia and Micronesia.

We are appointed correspondent for all members of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Associations, and are also on the panel of various marine and other insurers.

We are a safe pair of hands for our clients providing practical industry knowledge and skilled technical expertise to secure efficient and cost effective solutions.

With offices in Brisbane and Cairns, and representatives in Darwin and Papua New Guinea, the firm has deep connections to the maritime industry. Relationships with marine and other insurers extend back 100 years to 1921 and the team is working hard to help our clients and the industry navigate the challenges of the next century.

The firm also has equivalent expertise in aviation, road and rail.

Our expertise

  • Sales and purchase of vessels
  • Marine insurance
  • Carriage, towage, shipbuilding and repair
  • Charterparties
  • Marine industrial relations and seafarer’s compensation
  • Crew and passenger injury claims
  • Shipowner immigration issues (stowaways and crew desertions)

  • Pollution incidents
  • Casualties (collisions and groundings)
  • Stranding
  • Salvage claims
  • Workplace, health and safety
  • Statutory prosecutions and inquests
  • Disputes

Ports we service:

Queensland and the Northern Territory
  • Darwin
  • Brisbane
  • Bundaberg
  • Gladstone
  • Port Alma
  • Hay Point
  • Dalrymple Bay
  • Mackay, Bowen
  • Abbot Point
  • Townsville
  • Cairns

Papua New Guinea
  • Port Moresby
  • Lae
  • Rabaul
  • Other outlying ports

Whatever your destination – we’re with you.

 

Find An Expert

Michael Fisher
Michael Fisher
 Partner Ph: (07) 3231 8857 Email: mfisher@thymac.com.au
Matthew Hockaday
Matthew Hockaday
 Partner Ph: +61 7 3231 8814 Email: mhockaday@thymac.com.au
Murray Tavener
Murray Tavener
 Senior Associate Ph: +61 7 4031 4711 Email: mtavener@thymac.com.au
Rebecca Flynn
Rebecca Flynn
 Associate Ph: +61 7 3231 8856 Email: rflynn@thymac.com.au

News & Insights

Best Lawyers Australia recognises Michael Fisher and Alex Ramsey as Lawyers of the Year

Best Lawyers Australia recognises Michael Fisher and Alex Ramsey as Lawyers of the Year

Read More
Thynne + Macartney continues strong streak as leading Shipping Lawyers in Queensland

Thynne + Macartney continues strong streak as leading Shipping Lawyers in Queensland

Read More
Application of QLD’s Workcover Scheme to Fisherman & Crew Members

Application of QLD’s Workcover Scheme to Fisherman & Crew Members

Read More
Contractual Liens and the Power of Sale – ‘Unpaid freight and uncollected goods’

Contractual Liens and the Power of Sale – ‘Unpaid freight and uncollected goods’

Read More

Thynne + Macartney is a greatly respected player for Queensland-centred shipping matters, particularly for P&I-related issues. Its team is highly experienced in casualty mandates, including associated wreck removal and environmental issues. The firm is also noted for its coverage of cargo damage claims and chartering disputes.

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2023)

What's new?

Subscribe to receive the latest updates from our lawyers.

 

Sign up here

Our clients include

  • P&I clubs
  • hull insurers
  • shipowners & charterers
  • marine industry professionals
  • port authorities
  • pilotage providers
  • marine repairers
  • agents and transport companies

After a GBRMPA infringement I needed legal representation so asked my insurance provider who I should use. They recommended Murray Tavener from Thynne + Macartney based in Cairns as the go to man for my case as he has an intimate knowledge of all maritime law relating to my case. I also spoke to a good friend who had dealings with Murray and he couldn't say enough positive things about Murray's professional legal representation.

 

Through the process Murray and his team were very easy to work with as they represented myself and 7 crew. We achieved a great outcome for everyone involved considering the severity of the case. I highly recommend Murray at Thynne + Macartney to any fisherman who has any questions or needs legal representation regarding fisheries/GBRMPA and any investigations by regulatory authorities. Murray is easy to talk to and will work with you to achieve the best outcome possible.

- Anonymous client (2021)
We are an appointed legal correspondent of all members of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Associations and on the panel of various marine and other insurers. We also act for hull and machinery underwriters and ship repairer’s liability insurers.

 

When things do not go to plan, clients seek out the Thynne + Macartney team because they know they will have experienced and senior lawyers on call to provide advice and assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Acting on many of Australia's leading cases on issues relevant to the maritime and shipping industry, including:

  • “Shen Neng I” (grounding in the Great Barrier Reef)
  • “Pacific Adventurer” (oil spill)
  • “SA Fortius” (pilot liability)
  • “Solomon Trader” (salvage and environmental)
  • “Koumala” (tug liability)
  • “APL England” (container collapse)
  • “Dianne” (sinking and loss of life)
  • “La Pampa” (salvage)

Awards & Recognition

Best Lawyers

Insurance

  • Michael Fisher – (2013-2024), Lawyer of the Year (2020)
  • Matthew Hockaday – (2019-2024)

Shipping & Maritime

  • Michael Fisher – (2012-2024), Lawyer of the Year (2021 & 2024)
  • Matthew Hockaday – (2019-2024), Lawyer of the Year (2022)

Transportation

  • Michael Fisher – (2012-2024), Lawyer of the Year (2016, 2019 & 2024)
  • Matthew Hockaday – (2018-2024)

Shipping

  • Law Firm – Band 2 (2019-2023)
  • Michael Fisher – Band 2 (2014-2015 & 2019-2023)
  • Matthew Hockaday – Band 3 (2019-2023)

Legal 500

Transport: Shipping

  • Law Firm – Band 3 (2019-2020), Band 4 (2021-2023)

Admiralty, Shipping & Maritime

  • Leading Law Firm – Third Tier (2011, 2016 & 2020-2023), Second Tier (2018-2019), First Tier (2017), Recommended (2014-2015)
  • Michael Fisher – Leading (2016 & 2018-2021), Preeminent (2017), Recommended (2015 & 2022-2023)
  • Matthew Hockaday – Recommended (2015-2018 & 2020-2023), Leading (2019), Rising Star (2014)

Shipping (Global)

  • Michael Fisher – Recommended (2015-2023)
  • Matthew Hockaday – Recommended (2017-2023)

Shipping (National)

  • Michael Fisher – Recommended (2017-2022)
  • Matthew Hockaday – Recommended (2017-2022)