Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) has advised Indonesian-based logistics and infrastructure provider, PT Asian Bulk Logistics (ABL) on its acquisition of Engage Marine, one of Australia’s largest towage operators headquartered in Perth, Western Australia.
Engage Marine is a leading Australian port operations provider delivering specialised marine services, including tugboat and towage services, to a variety of industries.
JWS advised ABL throughout the transaction from due diligence through to completion, including drafting and negotiation of the transaction documents and obtaining ACCC merger clearance.
The transaction marks a significant milestone in ABL’s long-term growth strategy in Australia and reinforces ABL’s commitment to building an integrated logistics and infrastructure platform across the Asia-Pacific region. Engage Marine’s harbour and terminal towage, line boat and pilotage and vessel management capabilities extend ABL’s operational footprint and complement its existing rail freight, transshipment and container businesses – creating a more connected service offering across the maritime and industrial logistics supply chain.
Engage Marine joins a growing Australian portfolio that ABL has assembled through a series of targeted acquisitions, including One Rail Australia (East Coast Rail), Transshipment Services Australia, and SCF Containers.
The JWS team was led by Partners Andrew Ricciardi and Jarrod Wilksch, with support from Stuart Clague (Partner), Luke Paganin (Senior Associate) and Ben Heaslip (Associate).
Andrew Ricciardi commented, “It was a pleasure working with the ABL team on this significant and complex transaction. We look forward to seeing ABL continue its successful growth strategy in Australia moving forward.”
JWS also assisted ABL with its acquisition of a 50 per cent interest in the One Rail Australia (East Coast Rail) business in 2023.
About Johnson Winter Slattery
JWS is a leading independent Australian law firm of more than 500 people, including 85+ partners, across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth. The firm is engaged by major corporates and investment funds on their most challenging transactions and disputes.
Key legal contacts
Andrew Ricciardi
T: +61 421 457 830 | M:+61 8 6216 7202
E: andrew.ricciardi@jws.com.au
Jarrod Wilksch
T: +61 8 8239 7126 | M: +61 431 051 326
E: jarrod.wilksch@jws.com.au
Media contact
Angela Welsh
Marketing & Communications Manager
T: +61 2 9392 7454 | M: +61 414 281 902
E: angela.welsh@jws.com.au
