Murray Bowler
Biography
Murray's practice focuses on energy and infrastructure projects, banking and finance (including syndicated lending, trade receivables, PRC lending, acquisition finance, aircraft/ship finance, structured finance, project finance and derivatives), financial regulation, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, foreign investment (inbound to and outbound from Taiwan), insolvency, restructuring, workouts and enforcement, distressed debt transactions, construction and property investment.
Murray has particular experience on advising on offshore wind, onshore wind and solar project developments in Taiwan including advice on structuring, due diligence, regulatory/permitting, development, co-development arrangements, purchase and divestment transactions, preparation and negotiation of project contracts and the funding and financing of these projects.
Representative Legal Matters
Project Finance
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Acting for Bank of Taiwan, as syndicate lead bank, in relation to the project financing of the Kaohsiung City MRT project.
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Acted for Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund on the refinancing of certain international export credit project financing facilities and Taiwan financing facilities extended to finance the development and construction of the Miaoli Wind Farm in Taiwan (March 2008).
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Acted for Calyon Commercial and Investment Bank as arranger and facility agent of a USD 65 million Letter of Guarantee Issuance Facility provide to CTCI Corporation to fund design, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning on a turnkey basis of a LNG storage and re-gasification terminal in Kochi, India (August 2009).
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Acted for Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited as lender under a USD 600 million project finance facility to fund the purchase of an interest and participation by Formosa Steel IB Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Formosa Plastics Group, in the Iron Bridge Joint Venture with Fortescue Metals Group Limited in Western Australia (September 2013).
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Acted for Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited as coordinating arrangers, agent and security trustee for the lenders under a USD 700 million project finance facility to refinance the purchase of an interest and participation by Formosa Steel IB Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Formosa Plastics Group, in the Iron Bridge Joint Venture with Fortescue Metals Group Limited in Western Australia and to provide working capital (June 2014).
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Advising Cathay United Bank, Entie Commercial Bank and BNP Paribas as mandated lead arrangers and lenders under a NTD 2.5 billion Syndicated Term Loan and Guarantee Issuance Facility for Formosa I Wind Power Co., Ltd. to fund construction of Phase I of the Formosa I Offshore Wind Farm (May 2016).
Energy and Infrastructure Projects
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Acting for sponsors/developers in relation to the development, financing, construction and ongoing operation and management of gas-fired/coal-fired electric power plant projects in Taiwan including Kuo Kuang Power Company Limited, Everpower IPP Company Limited, Ho Ping Power Company Limited and other proposed projects. Also advising sponsors on Taiwan's Fourth Round IPP Participation in the power generation sector (2001~ ).
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Acting for sponsors and project company in negotiating project contracts, amendments and extensions to and resolving contractual disputes with EPC, O&M and other contractors.
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Acting for the sponsor in relation to the development, construction and operation of a waste incineration plant project in Taiwan.
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Neihu Extension to the Muzha Line of the Taipei MRT System. Acting for lead civil contractor (Kung Sing Engineering Co.) on its tender for the contract to extend the Muzha MRT System and in its negotiations and contracts with subcontractors for E&M (Bombardier) and other works.
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Construction of a manufacturing plant in Southern Taiwan for manufacture of personal computer/notebook vacuum units for use by Taiwan computer manufacturers. Representing the purchaser of the manufacturing plant.
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Long Term (25-year) Liquefied Natural Gas Supply and Purchase Agreement between Chinese Petroleum Company and Qatari State Gas Corporation (RasGas). Representing Chinese Petroleum Corporation as purchaser.
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Acquisition by Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited of a completed and operational Wind Farm in Miaoli, Taiwan including responsibility for advice on foreign investment approvals, regulatory approvals and other regulatory matters, assisting with issues relating to project financiers, O&M contractor, land owners, government off-taker and various regulators and advising on project restructuring.
Professional Honors
- Named Recognized Practitioner by Chambers Greater China Region Guide (2024)
- Named Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024)
- Named Leading Individual by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2022)
- Named Leading Lawyer – Expert Consultant by IFLR1000 (2023)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei - Director (2010 - 2020)
- American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei - Member
- Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Taipei - Director (2008~)
- New Zealand Law Society - Member
- Auckland District Law Society - Member
- Asia Pacific Loan Markets Association - Taiwan subcommittee member and lead counsel on Taiwan APLMA documentation project
Admissions
- High Court of New Zealand (1992)
Education
- University of Auckland (LL.B., Honors) (1992)
- University of Auckland (B.Com.) (1992)
Languages
- English
- Mandarin