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WA Supreme Court Dismisses $2.6 Million Pilbara Marine Barge Lawsuit - Dampier, WA
Smart summary
The Western Australia Supreme Court has dismissed a $2.6 million claim brought by engineering companies over alleged damage to a commercial barge that was dry-docked in Dampier.
The Western Australia Supreme Court has dismissed a $2.6 million legal claim involving alleged damage to a commercial barge in the Pilbara, bringing an end to a dispute between engineering companies and marine services operator Bhagwan Marine.
Engineering group Monadelphous and its subsidiary Interforge had brought proceedings against Bhagwan Marine over alleged damage to the hull of a commercial barge. The dispute concerned anti-fouling paint applied to the vessel while it was dry-docked in Dampier in 2016.
The companies alleged that Bhagwan Marine had recommended the use of paint that contributed to corrosion of the barge's hull. They argued that the vessel had been painted without a primer or undercoat and that the risks associated with applying the paint directly to bare metal had not been properly communicated.
Evidence considered by the court included a report indicating that significant corrosion was already visible on the vessel's hull by the end of 2019. The legal dispute subsequently focused on whether the damage could be attributed to the paint recommendation and whether Bhagwan Marine was responsible for the claimed losses.
Justice Michael Lundberg found that Monadelphous and Interforge had not established the claims required to succeed in the proceedings. The Supreme Court therefore dismissed the action.
The case highlights the complexities that can arise from industrial maintenance and marine engineering projects, particularly when damage develops over a number of years and responsibility must be established through technical evidence.
The barge had been dry-docked in Dampier, a major industrial centre in Western Australia's Pilbara region. Dampier supports extensive resources, shipping and marine activity associated with the wider Pilbara economy.
The court's decision means the $2.6 million claim brought by Monadelphous and Interforge against Bhagwan Marine was unsuccessful. The ruling followed years of legal proceedings and earlier disputes over evidence relating to the vessel and its condition.
The case is separate from any criminal investigation and concerns a civil commercial dispute. The court's findings relate specifically to whether the plaintiffs established their legal claims concerning the alleged damage.
The Supreme Court decision was reported by ABC News in its 29 September 2026 Kimberley and Pilbara regional briefing, making it a verified same-day Western Australian business and court story.
MarineCourtBargeBhagwanDamage
The Western Australia Supreme Court has dismissed a $2.6 million legal claim involving alleged damage to a commercial barge in the Pilbara, bringing an end to a dispute between engineering companies and marine services operator Bhagwan Marine.
Engineering group Monadelphous and its subsidiary Interforge had brought proceedings against Bhagwan Marine over alleged damage to the hull of a commercial barge. The dispute concerned anti-fouling paint applied to the vessel while it was dry-docked in Dampier in 2016.
The companies alleged that Bhagwan Marine had recommended the use of paint that contributed to corrosion of the barge's hull. They argued that the vessel had been painted without a primer or undercoat and that the risks associated with applying the paint directly to bare metal had not been properly communicated.
Evidence considered by the court included a report indicating that significant corrosion was already visible on the vessel's hull by the end of 2019. The legal dispute subsequently focused on whether the damage could be attributed to the paint recommendation and whether Bhagwan Marine was responsible for the claimed losses.
Justice Michael Lundberg found that Monadelphous and Interforge had not established the claims required to succeed in the proceedings. The Supreme Court therefore dismissed the action.
The case highlights the complexities that can arise from industrial maintenance and marine engineering projects, particularly when damage develops over a number of years and responsibility must be established through technical evidence.
The barge had been dry-docked in Dampier, a major industrial centre in Western Australia's Pilbara region. Dampier supports extensive resources, shipping and marine activity associated with the wider Pilbara economy.
The court's decision means the $2.6 million claim brought by Monadelphous and Interforge against Bhagwan Marine was unsuccessful. The ruling followed years of legal proceedings and earlier disputes over evidence relating to the vessel and its condition.
The case is separate from any criminal investigation and concerns a civil commercial dispute. The court's findings relate specifically to whether the plaintiffs established their legal claims concerning the alleged damage.
The Supreme Court decision was reported by ABC News in its 29 September 2026 Kimberley and Pilbara regional briefing, making it a verified same-day Western Australian business and court story.
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